battery

[94twodoor]

Anyone know what size battery I should have in my 1994 ranger xlt 4 cyl 2wd? The auto parts store has 2 sizes, but not sure what size to buy. Also, what does the cold cranking amps do? I can get the 880 cca for $75 with my in laws discount, but dont want to risk frying anything or over working the alternator? Any suggestions? I bought it with a 500 cca marine battery in it.

 

[scotts90ranger]

the low end trucks came with the small one, the higher end models came with the larger, usually it's only a couple bucks different and I prefer to have the biggest one I can (both sizes fit in the battery tray), the alternator or electrical system could care less, but it's more of a buffer if I say charge my RC airplane batteries off of my battery or play my stereo for a long time...

 

[94twodoor]

Thanks man. I appreciate the info. I have spent about $850 since Nov on this beautiful truck I have. Will post pics soon, some of build before and after on rear suspension. All stock, but damn its new! Replaced all perches/hangers, aftermarket custom leafspring, rear cab corner mounts, starter new, rad/upper/lower hoses, new fuel rail, full tune up. Plus I por 15 the frame from cab back and did the underside of bed too! One clean truck, need headliner and dash now! also changed out the orig fron shocks and lower mounts on the control arm.

 

[SMTGREG]

Battery power rating is measured by two standards. The more popular of these, cold cranking power, determines the amount of current (amps) a battery delivers for 30 seconds at zero degrees Fahrenheit while maintaining a minimum terminal voltage of 7.2 volts. The higher the number, the stronger the battery.
The second standard is called reserve capacity rating. This is a warm weather rating (80 degrees Fahrenheit), which estimates the amount of time it takes the terminal voltage of a fully charged battery to dip below 10.2 (or 1.7 volts per cell) at a continuous discharge rate of 25 amps. The rating is expressed in minutes. For example, a rating of 120 means the battery will run for two hours (120 minutes) before ceasing to function.