Marine cranking amps to cold cranking amps conversion

[frankiee]

I wish to use a deep cycle marine battery for use in vehicles around my fathers farm. It will include gas trucks and cars as part of its duties if need be.
The marine batteries are rated with a "Marine Cranking Amps" and because I live in Canada where it is cold I need to know the "Cold Cranking Amps" of the battery in use.
I was wondering if there is some sort of general rule of thumb I could use to get me in the ball park as to how many MCA I would need for, lets say a 1989 Chev truck with a 305 cid engine.
Lets say the manufacturer of the truck requires 550 CCA. How many MCA would that equal?
Thanks

 

[MikeHalloran]

No expertise claimed here, but I think I know this:

"Deep cycle" batteries are not intended for cranking at all. They're intended for discharge over a long period of time at relatively modest rates, e.g. for a trolling motor that you fish with until the battery is dead. Then you start the outboard with a different battery, and recharge the deep cycle battery while underway or at home.

The starting battery has a different construction; it's intended for short high rate discharge and 'float' charging while the engine is running.

If you need a truck battery, buy a truck battery.












Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[jabonet]

I have heard all this about not using deepcycle batteries for cranking.

I had a DC Battery installed in a ford mustang, the amps that the starter needs is around 200 amps, this is not much for a DC bat. this battery lasted for ages of heavy use.

be aware that the alternator on your car is rated to generate a small amount of energy, if you put in a discharge or partially discharged battery on a car, the alternator will have a dificult time keeping up.