Batteries for winch challenge rig

[Mudzuki]

Looking at putting some beefcake btteries into my zuk that will be able to handle the long hard winching stages using a highmount. Alternator will need an upgrade too, but the batteries come first.

Currently im thinking of 2 blue top optimas.

Will extra Amp Hours be that beneficial, or is it mainly the CCA that i am after?

Should i just try and find the biggest solinoid for joining these for this application?

Cheers

[Mudzuki]

Anyone?

[chimpboy]

If it's for winching purposes I would say CCA is going to be a pretty good guide for you. It's basically a measure of the batteries ability to push out power at high current.

Amp-hours is more of a useful measure for deep cycle uses.

Just for background info, here are some definitions (cut and pasted from a website):

CCA Cold cranking amps. Maximum number of amps a battery can supply for 30 seconds at a temperature of 0 degrees F, before dropping to 7.2 volts. This is a more severe test than MCA and results in a lower number.

MCA Marine cranking amps. This is similar but is measured at 32 degrees and so results in a higher number for the same battery.

Amp Hours This is normally measured at a 20 hour rate. The amp hour rating is the number of amps a battery will supply for 20 hours at 80 degrees F before dropping to 10.5 volts, multiplied by 20 hours. ie If a battery can supply 5 amps for 20 hours then it is called a 100 Amp Hour battery.

Reserve Capacity The number of minutes a battery will supply a specified constant current (normally 25 Amps) at 80 degrees F before dropping to 10.5 volts. This measure is more appropriate for an automotive application and is intended to tell you how long you can keep driving with a dead alternator.


As you can see the CCA or MCA is the test that's most similar to winching; sure, you winch for more than 30 seconds, but you don't winch for anything like 20 hours, and winching is a high current drain activity.

I have no experience with the optimas so I can't comment on that. On their website they appear to recommend the red top for winching, though, not the blue top.

Jason

[+dj_hansen+]

Maybe look into the 1000cca+ overlanders aswell, or red top optimas as they are sealed/maintenance free/handle vibrations better due to their construction...

12 or 24 volt?

[A.R.T Racing]

Maybe look into the 1000cca+ overlanders aswell, or red top optimas as they are sealed/maintenance free/handle vibrations better due to their construction...

12 or 24 volt?

I've been running Exide Extreme's (86EX) for years on my Winch Challenge Patrol and never had a problem (replace them occasionally of course). They are a good cost effective battery in my opinion. Never run out of battery power either. Mind you i run seperate 12V with 24V winch & spots.

[1MadEngineer]

CAT do a great range for good $. we use a 880cca , cost $130 and has a 5 year warranty and fits in lux std position

2 would be awesome

[RoldIT]

CAT do a great range for good $. we use a 880cca , cost $130 and has a 5 year warranty and fits in lux std position

2 would be awesome

When you say fits in lux standard position, does this mean it's a 12" battery or the lux battery hole is a bit larger?

Also, do you have a part/model number?

Cheers.

[RoldIT]

Disregard. I just found the specs.

[LOCKEE]

I run two Delkor N70 Batteries but have also used Supercharge Gold and Optimas before that.

Like running a std available N7o Battery and run them connected together all the time and replace them in pairs.

The Optimas wew good but needed a late model high powered alternator to keep them charged.

[kingchevy]

odyesey are great for that sort of thing quick recharging but as quick discharging so you need a little more cca's if youre going to use them I run a optima blue top 900cca running a warn highmount with the 6hp motor on a 79 series ute and do some pretty extreme winching and have never ever had a drama with it running out of power I would reckomend 2 for that setup though just for the extra capacity up big hills.