Battery sizes, testing amperages, and sifficent amps question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

darkone · 08-20-2011, 03:01 PM

hey all, some guy has a Power 65 battery on CL and says it was tested at 530 cold cranking amps.... mfg's in nov '07. now ive been reading a bit about batterys and from what i understand the 75 is actually what GM cars should have as far as size, but, the truck im driving actually had a 65 in it when i bought it, but i wanted to know what you guys thought on the whole battery scenario. i want to have something that will not sputter out trying to start mah truck, ya herd? =) thanks for any info/ideas all!

**Ironhorse** · 08-20-2011, 03:46 PM

Gotta' figure at mfg. date of Nov. of '07 the battery is already 4 years old. What's the asking price? Is this for a daily driver or a battery to move a project around the yard/shop, etc. Seems a bit small on the CCA (cold cranking amps) for me. Where in the states are you located? Could have a bearing on your choice with winter temps coming up in a few months. I have a 880 CCA battery in my wife's '99 Tahoe, my '88 Caprice daily driver I retired from work with and also in my '71 4x4. I personally like the dual post batterys with the side terminals and top posts. They tend to run a bit more $$ but if need be can be moved from one vehicle to another with no problem. Just my .02 worth of thoughts.

fastwillie 696969 · 08-20-2011, 03:57 PM

old battery 5 yrs life

AirSpeed · 08-20-2011, 06:20 PM

Unless the guy is giving it away I would stay away. You would be better off spending money on a new battery. If you buy something that old you're only going to have to buy another one sooner than you think! The cash you waste on a used one could have been put towards a new one. If that battery was run dead more than a couple times it will probably fail pretty quick!
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Lee H · 08-20-2011, 06:23 PM

You need a group 78 with at least mid 700 CCAs. 850 would be better. Any battery more than 4 years old is living on borrowed time.
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Codypaul · 08-20-2011, 07:54 PM

group 65s are for fords. Our trucks call for a group 24 top post battery which is usually converted to a 78 series side post.

*72lb4x4* · 08-20-2011, 08:04 PM

I usually figure a battery is about done at 4 years.

I'd measure the battery tray, decide what terminal orientation you want, and go buy the biggest battery you can find with the most CCA that will fit in the tray.

I wouldn't get a side terminal battery myself. Too easy to strip the threads.

from walking around the car shows and swap meets, it seems the usual logic is to buy the smallest possible battery. That makes no sense to me...

08-20-2011, 03:01 PM	#1
darkone Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: none Posts: 239	Battery sizes, testing amperages, and sifficent amps question hey all, some guy has a Power 65 battery on CL and says it was tested at 530 cold cranking amps.... mfg's in nov '07. now ive been reading a bit about batterys and from what i understand the 75 is actually what GM cars should have as far as size, but, the truck im driving actually had a 65 in it when i bought it, but i wanted to know what you guys thought on the whole battery scenario. i want to have something that will not sputter out trying to start mah truck, ya herd? =) thanks for any info/ideas all!

08-20-2011, 03:46 PM	#2
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,294	Re: Battery sizes, testing amperages, and sifficent amps question Gotta' figure at mfg. date of Nov. of '07 the battery is already 4 years old. What's the asking price? Is this for a daily driver or a battery to move a project around the yard/shop, etc. Seems a bit small on the CCA (cold cranking amps) for me. Where in the states are you located? Could have a bearing on your choice with winter temps coming up in a few months. I have a 880 CCA battery in my wife's '99 Tahoe, my '88 Caprice daily driver I retired from work with and also in my '71 4x4. I personally like the dual post batterys with the side terminals and top posts. They tend to run a bit more $$ but if need be can be moved from one vehicle to another with no problem. Just my .02 worth of thoughts. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

08-20-2011, 03:57 PM	#3
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: Battery sizes, testing amperages, and sifficent amps question old battery 5 yrs life __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

08-20-2011, 06:20 PM	#4
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Re: Battery sizes, testing amperages, and sifficent amps question Unless the guy is giving it away I would stay away. You would be better off spending money on a new battery. If you buy something that old you're only going to have to buy another one sooner than you think! The cash you waste on a used one could have been put towards a new one. If that battery was run dead more than a couple times it will probably fail pretty quick! Posted via Mobile Device

08-20-2011, 06:23 PM	#5
Lee H Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 4,147	Re: Battery sizes, testing amperages, and sifficent amps question You need a group 78 with at least mid 700 CCAs. 850 would be better. Any battery more than 4 years old is living on borrowed time. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703

08-20-2011, 07:54 PM	#6
Codypaul Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Duluth MN Posts: 64	Re: Battery sizes, testing amperages, and sifficent amps question group 65s are for fords. Our trucks call for a group 24 top post battery which is usually converted to a 78 series side post. __________________ 1970 GMC K1500 1993 Chevy K2500

08-20-2011, 08:04 PM	#7
72lb4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 1,427	Re: Battery sizes, testing amperages, and sifficent amps question I usually figure a battery is about done at 4 years. I'd measure the battery tray, decide what terminal orientation you want, and go buy the biggest battery you can find with the most CCA that will fit in the tray. I wouldn't get a side terminal battery myself. Too easy to strip the threads. from walking around the car shows and swap meets, it seems the usual logic is to buy the smallest possible battery. That makes no sense to me...



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