Battery CCA question
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Battery CCA question
Was visiting Corvette Mike New England last Saturdayin my 05' coupe when my original 6-year old battery died. Mechanic there said I needed a new battery so they sold me an interstate battery rated at 525 CCA. Problem was the battery wasn't fully charged before they installed it. Car started fine and then drove the car another hour home. Well, I had the feeling the car wouldn't start after almost a week, (today), and it didn't. Battery tested out at 7 volts. Called Interstate and they told me the car calls for a battery rated at 590 CCA, not the 525 CCA battery that Corvette Mike sold me. Interstate suggested I get the next model up. (they won't give me an exchange because it's the wrong battery). Any thoughts?
Last edited by Turbooo2u; 05-20-2011 at 05:12 PM.
#2
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Was visiting Corvette Mike New England last Saturday when my original 6-year old battery died. Mechanic there said I needed a new battery so they sold me an interstate battery rated at 525 CCA. Problem was the battery wasn't fully charged before they installed it. Car started fine and then drove the car another hour home. Well, I had the feeling the car wouldn't start after almost a week, (today), and it didn't. Battery tested out at 7 volts. Called Interstate and they told me the car calls for a battery rated at 590 CCA, not the 525 CCA battery that Corvette Mike sold me. Interstate suggested I get the next model up. (they won't give me an exchange because it's the wrong battery). Any thoughts?
As for complaining about the battery not being correct I would take that up with Corvette Mike. They installed the wrong battery and they should help you out in some manner or other.
By the way, here is the description of Cold Cranking Amps:
Cold Cranking Amps is a rating used in the battery industry to define a battery's ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. The rating is the number of amps a new, fully charged battery can deliver at 0° Farenheit for 30 seconds, while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts, for a 12 volt battery. The higher the CCA rating, the greater the starting power of the battery.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; 05-20-2011 at 04:45 PM.
#4
Burning Brakes
I would take the battery out and slowly charge it overnight. Then reinstall it and make see what happens. I always use a battery of greater CCA just for the added insurance.
#6
Team Owner
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Just for comparison my Optima RED top battery has 720 cold cranking amps.
#7
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
If you went six years on the original battery I doubt you have a problem with the C6. It sounds like a bad battery. Make sure the cables are connected correctly and tight. Take it to Auto zone or other parts store and get a load test. If the battery is bad Inter-State should replace it.
Just for comparison my Optima RED top battery has 720 cold cranking amps.
Just for comparison my Optima RED top battery has 720 cold cranking amps.
#8
Drifting
Corvette Mike sounds like a great place to do business. They sell a product and will not back it up.
I would call Interstate and explain your problem. Maybe they can do something for you
In the future, I would stay clear of Corvette Mike.
I would call Interstate and explain your problem. Maybe they can do something for you
In the future, I would stay clear of Corvette Mike.
#10
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
My options now are exchanging the battery for the same model at a local authorized Interstate battery store (only 10 minutes away) or get full credit for what I have and spend another 60 bucks for the next model up rated at 590 CCA. Either way, it's alot of money for a battery.
#11
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It doesn't hurt to get the battery load tested or to check the alternator but I would also check to see what else is happening. The ambient air conditions aren't cold, the battery even lower rated than recommended should have enough zip to start the engine. It is either a bad battery (not unknown to happen with a new battery) or the car is drawing too much current when shutoff.
I suspect the Corvette Mike people are correct that they have sold a lot of batteries like this with no issues. Most Vettes don't get used in cold weather and that is when an issue would show up. I doubt your car has more than a 400 amp surge current when starting which should be easily supplied by the battery you have.
Bill
I suspect the Corvette Mike people are correct that they have sold a lot of batteries like this with no issues. Most Vettes don't get used in cold weather and that is when an issue would show up. I doubt your car has more than a 400 amp surge current when starting which should be easily supplied by the battery you have.
Bill
#12
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
It doesn't hurt to get the battery load tested or to check the alternator but I would also check to see what else is happening. The ambient air conditions aren't cold, the battery even lower rated than recommended should have enough zip to start the engine. It is either a bad battery (not unknown to happen with a new battery) or the car is drawing too much current when shutoff.
I suspect the Corvette Mike people are correct that they have sold a lot of batteries like this with no issues. Most Vettes don't get used in cold weather and that is when an issue would show up. I doubt your car has more than a 400 amp surge current when starting which should be easily supplied by the battery you have.
Bill
I suspect the Corvette Mike people are correct that they have sold a lot of batteries like this with no issues. Most Vettes don't get used in cold weather and that is when an issue would show up. I doubt your car has more than a 400 amp surge current when starting which should be easily supplied by the battery you have.
Bill
#13
Safety Car
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I think with only 7 volts, about half the cells are just dead. Its not the CCA rating...its dead cells. Sounds like to me, it is simply a defective battery. A new 525 CCA battery should start the car fine.
#14
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Your probably right but will a 525 CCA be as dependable in cold weather as the stock 590 battery and last as long?
#15
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Since your battery turned out to have a physical problem you might want to check the alternator to make sure it didn't cook the battery by overcharging it or your new battery might be toast as well.
When doing diagnostics the assumption is that if you have multiple symptoms or issues there is usually only one cause. The probability of two or more causes (like two bad batteries in a row) is much less likely.
Bill
#16
Seriously if u would of stopped bitching and just bought your own red top battery and installed it yourself u wouldn't be crying. This is what happens when people are to lazy to install there own battery but go online and cry about it. I know this post is old but this is for new people that come across posts like this
#17
Le Mans Master
Was visiting Corvette Mike New England last Saturdayin my 05' coupe when my original 6-year old battery died. Mechanic there said I needed a new battery so they sold me an interstate battery rated at 525 CCA. Problem was the battery wasn't fully charged before they installed it. Car started fine and then drove the car another hour home. Well, I had the feeling the car wouldn't start after almost a week, (today), and it didn't. Battery tested out at 7 volts. Called Interstate and they told me the car calls for a battery rated at 590 CCA, not the 525 CCA battery that Corvette Mike sold me. Interstate suggested I get the next model up. (they won't give me an exchange because it's the wrong battery). Any thoughts?
#18
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
CCA's were more important back in the days of carburetors, when engines often had to crank for a while before starting. These days an engine will start quickly (or not at all), reducing the need for a lot of CCA's.