Best Battery?

[stefan]

Restoring a "66 Cavalier Dory (283 V-8)...What is my best choice for a battery? someone suggested very high cold cranking amps

[Bilge Rat]

There is a better marine rating than cold cranking amps (from Interstate Battery's website):

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) is a test conducted at 0 F (-18 C) for 30 seconds without falling below 7.2v at the battery's CCA rating

Marine Cranking Amps (MCA) is a test conducted at 32 F (0 C) for 30 seconds without falling below 7.2v at the battery's MCA rating.

To pass the CCA test, a 700 CCA rated fully charged battery would be chilled to 0 F (-18C), then load tested at 700 amps for 30 seconds. To pass its rating, it has to maintain at or above 7.2 volts.

To calculate the MCA rating of a battery compared to its CCA rating, multiply by 1.25.

MCA is a better option for the environment our boats should be operating in, since the water would most likely be frozen at 0 degrees F. Of course there are maximum MCA ratings depending on the battery group size that will fit the battery compartment on the boat.

[stefan]

Thanks B. Rat.