Electrics: 850: - Battery size ?

Herestandsaman · Dec 2nd, 2006, 19:50

As my 850 is not used regulary, i often suffer a flat battery.
I have decided to change it, but would like to fit the largest size / capacity battery which will fit in the battery tray.
Can anyone advise on whether this is possible / advisable ?

cootuk · Dec 2nd, 2006, 21:52

Can't the battery be put on trickle charge?

David 850 GLT · Dec 3rd, 2006, 01:15

Simon,

The usual rule with batteries is the bigger the better because the larger the cold-crank amps, the more volts at the starter, faster cranking, starter lives longer.

However your problem is eventually going to be permanent battery degradation due to the charge falling to a low enough level over time such that the starter won't crank either fast enough or at all. Assuming your alternator is good and there's no excessive drain from, say, an alarm when the car's parked (there's always some quiescent drain even when the key's in your pocket!) it might be an idea to see if an Optima yellow-top deep-cycle battery can be found to fit.

I'm gradually fitting them to all my cars, and I have a couple of XJ40s that used to eat conventional batteries. The real benefit is that the Optima can be fully discharged for several weeks and then be completely recharged with no loss of capacity. With a regular battery irreversible sulphation will have taken place and it will never recover fully. The Optimas aren't cheap and if you get one make sure it's the deep-cycle version, the yellow-top.

David

Georgey dee · Dec 4th, 2006, 22:21

go to volvo and ask for a battery for a diesel auto and you'll get the biggest. sould fit in the tray as its a standard size , you just move the clamp along one. It won't break anything so don't worry.

NugentS · Dec 5th, 2006, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by David 850 GLT

Simon,

The usual rule with batteries is the bigger the better because the larger the cold-crank amps, the more volts at the starter, faster cranking, starter lives longer.

However your problem is eventually going to be permanent battery degradation due to the charge falling to a low enough level over time such that the starter won't crank either fast enough or at all. Assuming your alternator is good and there's no excessive drain from, say, an alarm when the car's parked (there's always some quiescent drain even when the key's in your pocket!) it might be an idea to see if an Optima yellow-top deep-cycle battery can be found to fit.

I'm gradually fitting them to all my cars, and I have a couple of XJ40s that used to eat conventional batteries. The real benefit is that the Optima can be fully discharged for several weeks and then be completely recharged with no loss of capacity. With a regular battery irreversible sulphation will have taken place and it will never recover fully. The Optimas aren't cheap and if you get one make sure it's the deep-cycle version, the yellow-top.

David

You can get a yellow top to fit but it will involve surgery as they aren't available the correct way around for the volvo and reversing the battery means the cables are too short.

I got mine to fit with fairly major surgery to the various cables involving hacksaws etc.

Just be warned

Sean

NugentS · Dec 5th, 2006, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon marsh

As my 850 is not used regulary, i often suffer a flat battery.
I have decided to change it, but would like to fit the largest size / capacity battery which will fit in the battery tray.
Can anyone advise on whether this is possible / advisable ?

How long does it take to go flat?
Is the car kept inside or outside?
Has this just started as the weather gets cold?

Sean

Herestandsaman · Dec 11th, 2006, 19:13

Hello Sean,Battery goes flat after about 14 days.
Car kept in garage and is used at weekends or alternate weekends.
Must be a slight drain on battery.
Varta (blue) fitted 24 monthes ago to origional spec.

David 850 GLT · Dec 12th, 2006, 00:02

Simon

What is your battery's type number?
Can you post all the numbers on the battery?
This might give us a few clues.

David

CTCNetwork · Dec 12th, 2006, 01:18

Hi,

Just decided to have a look for Optima batteries and boy are they expensive!
Linky....

Unless, of course, you are in the US...
Linky....
UK = £300 ( $600 )
US = $200 ( £100 )

I foresee a bulk buy deal here...

Des. . .

Dec 2nd, 2006, 19:50	#1
Herestandsaman Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2023 09:23 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: sheffield	Battery size ? As my 850 is not used regulary, i often suffer a flat battery. I have decided to change it, but would like to fit the largest size / capacity battery which will fit in the battery tray. Can anyone advise on whether this is possible / advisable ?

Dec 4th, 2006, 22:21	#4
Georgey dee Premier Member Last Online: May 1st, 2024 06:21 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norwich View Photos By: Georgey dee	go to volvo and ask for a battery for a diesel auto and you'll get the biggest. sould fit in the tray as its a standard size , you just move the clamp along one. It won't break anything so don't worry. __________________ HAD; 440 GLT(Loved it), 850 GLT auto(Loved it), S70 2.5T(Nothing but problems!), 850R auto(Loved it!!), S60 D5 SE (Nothing but problems!) GOT; S60 D5 SE Lux Auto RAF Marham Track Day Co-Ord'

Dec 12th, 2006, 01:18	#9
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, Just decided to have a look for Optima batteries and boy are they expensive! Linky.... Unless, of course, you are in the US... Linky.... UK = £300 ( $600 ) US = $200 ( £100 ) I foresee a bulk buy deal here... Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Dec 2nd, 2006, 21:52	#2
cootuk Premier Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2013 20:52 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: bradford	Can't the battery be put on trickle charge?

Dec 3rd, 2006, 01:15	#3
David 850 GLT Junior Member Last Online: Feb 25th, 2016 22:17 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sudbury	Simon, The usual rule with batteries is the bigger the better because the larger the cold-crank amps, the more volts at the starter, faster cranking, starter lives longer. However your problem is eventually going to be permanent battery degradation due to the charge falling to a low enough level over time such that the starter won't crank either fast enough or at all. Assuming your alternator is good and there's no excessive drain from, say, an alarm when the car's parked (there's always some quiescent drain even when the key's in your pocket!) it might be an idea to see if an Optima yellow-top deep-cycle battery can be found to fit. I'm gradually fitting them to all my cars, and I have a couple of XJ40s that used to eat conventional batteries. The real benefit is that the Optima can be fully discharged for several weeks and then be completely recharged with no loss of capacity. With a regular battery irreversible sulphation will have taken place and it will never recover fully. The Optimas aren't cheap and if you get one make sure it's the deep-cycle version, the yellow-top. David

Dec 11th, 2006, 19:13	#7
Herestandsaman Member Last Online: Jan 1st, 2023 09:23 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: sheffield	Hello Sean,Battery goes flat after about 14 days. Car kept in garage and is used at weekends or alternate weekends. Must be a slight drain on battery. Varta (blue) fitted 24 monthes ago to origional spec.

Dec 12th, 2006, 00:02	#8
David 850 GLT Junior Member Last Online: Feb 25th, 2016 22:17 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sudbury	Simon What is your battery's type number? Can you post all the numbers on the battery? This might give us a few clues. David

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