Starter battery ?

[PP]

I've dug through the threads here and I'm still scratching my head, so I figured it might be easier just to ask this question again:

To replace a couple of 8D's, what is the minimum CCA I can get away with for an older 892 (non DDEC and no air)? I found a lot of threads discussing Group 31's, but they are actually available in many amp sizes. And do I really need 3 of them or will 2 do the trick?

Thanks, Will

[skihor]

I use 2 group 27's. (in series for 24V)They are 1000 CCA each. It won't have the cranking time of the big ones but they have never failed me.
Don

[luvrbus]

You need 2 or 4 for 24 volts the cranking amps stay the same with 1 or 4 that never changes only the reserve changes 

[TomC]

Group 31 batteries are the choice for most all big rig trucks and many buses. Hence you can get them at any truck stop and most heavy duty truck supply. Interstate makes a 950cca battery. I have 2 on my 8V-71 high compression and always cranks (12v system). What I also have is a jumper solenoid to my 2-8D deep cycle batteries to charge them going down the road, to charge the starting batteries when parked, and to jump the starting batteries if they are dead-and have started the bus that way. Then if you're in cold weather and need to crank alot, just activate the jump right off the bat and you have 4 batteries for cranking. Good luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

Will, DD says 800 amps for the Delco 42 starter and 8v92 so 2-950amp to 2-1100 amps should work just stay in the warm country

[PP]

Thanks for the quick replies and helpful advice. After having my last 8D fail at the 3 yr mark from NAPA and they only come with a 6 month warrenty because they're classified 'Commercial', I am convinced now that replacing them with 2 grp 27 or 31 bats is the way to go. O'Reilly's grp 31 comes with a 3 year free replacement and pro-rated for another 4 yrs after that. Plus I can replace both for the price of replacing just 1 of the 8Ds. Right now I'm jumping off the 12V house bank to make my 24V because the old 8D (8 yrs) is still holding a charge despite having one cell going down (hygrometer says so and voltage is dropping from 12.58 to 12.04 in a week of setting).

Again thanks for the responses and setting my mind at ease. BTW I wish I could stay where the weather was always warm, but since I've rejoined the workforce, that's not much of an option. Still recuperating from the 2008 recession lol.

[luvrbus]

Just don't go above 1250 CCA for your 24v starter it will destroy the old 42 starter

[chessie4905]

   Do you use the cranking batteries also for house battery?

[PP]

   Do you use the cranking batteries also for house battery?

No, I have 6- 6volt deep cycles for the house bank. they're going on 8 years also, since I replaced them when I originally replaced the 8D's. Since then, I've had to replace one of the 8Ds 3 years ago and that's the one that's gone bad already. The house batteries all check out excellent, especially considering their age. When parked the house bats are on a Heart 2000W inverter/charger set at 12.32 float. The start bats each have their own little battery tenders which are questionable at best.

[Dave5Cs]

I just lost both mine over the weekend and found these at NAPA seem pretty good for $79.99 each with a 36 month warrentee and free replacement for 1 year.
I am going to get 4 of them. Any thoughts of these?

Part Number: BAT 7236
Product Line: NAPA Batteries
Attributes:
Battery BCI # : BCI # 31S
Battery Cold Cranking Amps @ 0 Degrees F : 950
Battery Cranking Amps @ 32 Degrees F : 1,190
Battery Load Test Amps : 475
Battery Posts Type : Top Mount Stud
Battery Reserve Capacity (Minutes) : 195
Battery Voltage : 12 Volt
Wet or Dry : Wet
Battery Application : Commercial
Battery Load Test Amps : 475
Battery Weight : 59.9 lbs
Contents : (1) Battery
Height : 9-7/16"
Length : 13"

[luvrbus]

Seems ok Dave the weight is average for most G-31 batteries you should be ok hell I just gave 107 bucks for a pickup battery from O'Rilies G-24 size   

[Dave5Cs]

Clifford thanks just saw the thread and thought I would put that in. Sam's Club was 112.87 for one.

[PP]

Dave,
the local NAPA here wants 119. exch for that battery.  They must be on a super sale where you're at.

[Dave5Cs]

Nope it is the Northern Cali distribution center and they supply a lot of the trucking companies as well as CAL-FIRE, local municipalities, etc and have these pretty regularly. Lucky for me they are only 2 miles from me. Really big NAPA store with a big rig counter in the back. 

Dave5Cs

[TomC]

On my truck, I use 4-31 Interstate batteries that have a series parallel switch for the 24v starter, but everything else runs on 12vdc. With the 4-950cca batteries, that works out to be 1900cca at 24vdc. In 1.2 million miles on the truck, I have replaced the starter once. Doesn't seem to hurt the starter with a lot of batteries. Good Luck, TomC