Upsize battery better?

[Watwheels]

Come to think of it this is an outdated mentality. The bigger the lead acid battery the "better". This applies to older car technology actually.

Look at the car battery that has the AGM tech now. The pros are that it holds better charge than the regular lead acid battery, easier to recharge and has a lower rate of self discharge. It cost more because it uses better battery material to hold charge, to put it simply. It does not need to be constantly charged by the alternator all the time.

It frees up the alternator to do other jobs and it doesnt consume more power from the engine from that constant battery charging.

Has anyone tried using an AGM car battery even though the car doesnt come with engine stop/start? 

[Watwheels]

  On 6/14/2022 at 1:16 AM, ER-3682 said:

Normal Cars put AGM Battery is an overkill..,over $350.00 ,per piece.

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Depending on brand and size. My agm battery cost between $200-$280. I dont think it is an overkill. If it doesnt need to be charged constantly like lead acid battery it will free up your alternator. Feel more power and see better fuel economy.

[Fitvip]

@Vratenza Same thought as yours.

I have been hearing advice to upsize the battery as the stock one is too tiny.

When I asked the battery shop owner, he advised me not to and gave his reasons which I cannot fully recall now. One of his reasons is that it would affect the other working parts like the alternator etc. So I took his advice and continue using the puny battery.

[DOBIEMKZ]

I read up some articles online and it seems that it is not totally beneficial to put a bigger battery.

 

What happens if you put the wrong battery in your car?

The importance of fitting the right battery in your car is often overlooked. It's true that many batteries are interchangeable across the same class of car, but there are some crucial considerations to bear in mind.

https://www.protyre.co.uk/car-help-advice/vehicle-maintenance/what-happens-if-you-put-the-wrong-battery-in-your-car#:~:text=Battery specifications,-Batteries come with&text=If you use the wrong,onboard computers or other components.

Battery specifications

Batteries come with different specifications designed to match those of the car they're made for. This goes beyond simply the amount of power they supply since the more accessories your car is running, the higher the battery specification needed. It may not be imperative to use the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) brand but it's essential to match the recommended size and output.
 
If you use the wrong size battery, this could cause changes in the flow of electrical currents, resulting in power surges that can damage the onboard computers or other components.

What if the battery is too small?

The first obvious disadvantage in using an under-sized battery is the possibility of ignition problems. If your engine demands more power than the battery can supply, your car could be immobilised before you've even started.
 
Furthermore, you may find there is not enough energy to run your accessories, especially when the engine is switched off. Even listening to the radio could be enough to drain the wrong battery. The air-conditioning may not function properly and even the headlights may not light up as fully as intended. You may find other equipment fails because of the lack of power needed to perform the car's normal functions.
 
Remember, too, that operating in low temperatures can easily drain any battery – an under-powered one will be particularly vulnerable.
 
Short journeys put a lot more pressure on the battery than long ones even in the best of circumstances and an under-sized one simply may not have the opportunity to recharge sufficiently, which could lead the alternator to overheat and cause long term damage.
 

What if the battery is too large?

Equally, using a battery that is too large has its own implications. For one thing, it simply might not fit into your car's battery compartment. If you do manage to fit it, there is always the possibility that the terminals may touch other metal parts of the bodywork which may cause the battery to short-circuit. Even when safely and successfully accommodated, the wrong battery will present a discrepancy between output and demand which will cause the same problems for the alternator as a battery that is too small.

 

https://batterymanguide.com/what-happens-if-you-put-the-wrong-size-battery-in-your-car/

"...Can You Put A Bigger Battery In Your Car?

There are a few disadvantages of using a bigger car battery. One consideration is the physical size of the cell. There is a possibility that it may not fit your battery tray. Another thing is that the terminals may contact other metal parts that could create a spark.

The next items are the rate of amperage that may cause your alternator to continuously work to keep your large battery charged all the time. It may cause your alternator to fail..."

[Mkl22]

  On 6/14/2022 at 1:26 AM, Watwheels said:

Come to think of it this is an outdated mentality. The bigger the lead acid battery the "better". This applies to older car technology actually.

Look at the car battery that has the AGM tech now. The pros are that it holds better charge than the regular lead acid battery, easier to recharge and has a lower rate of self discharge. It cost more because it uses better battery material to hold charge, to put it simply. It does not need to be constantly charged by the alternator all the time.

It frees up the alternator to do other jobs and it doesnt consume more power from the engine from that constant battery charging.

Has anyone tried using an AGM car battery even though the car doesnt come with engine stop/start? 

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bo lui.... 🤣

 

jokes aside, but typically AGM batts only come in DIN size. my laopok jap cannot use DIN unless i modify the bottom tray and holding brackets.

Edited June 14, 2022 by Mkl22

[Vratenza]

  On 6/14/2022 at 2:35 AM, DOBIEMKZ said:

I read up some articles online and it seems that it is not totally beneficial to put a bigger battery.

 

What happens if you put the wrong battery in your car?

The importance of fitting the right battery in your car is often overlooked. It's true that many batteries are interchangeable across the same class of car, but there are some crucial considerations to bear in mind.

https://www.protyre.co.uk/car-help-advice/vehicle-maintenance/what-happens-if-you-put-the-wrong-battery-in-your-car#:~:text=Battery specifications,-Batteries come with&text=If you use the wrong,onboard computers or other components.

Battery specifications

Batteries come with different specifications designed to match those of the car they're made for. This goes beyond simply the amount of power they supply since the more accessories your car is running, the higher the battery specification needed. It may not be imperative to use the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) brand but it's essential to match the recommended size and output.
 
If you use the wrong size battery, this could cause changes in the flow of electrical currents, resulting in power surges that can damage the onboard computers or other components.

What if the battery is too small?

The first obvious disadvantage in using an under-sized battery is the possibility of ignition problems. If your engine demands more power than the battery can supply, your car could be immobilised before you've even started.
 
Furthermore, you may find there is not enough energy to run your accessories, especially when the engine is switched off. Even listening to the radio could be enough to drain the wrong battery. The air-conditioning may not function properly and even the headlights may not light up as fully as intended. You may find other equipment fails because of the lack of power needed to perform the car's normal functions.
 
Remember, too, that operating in low temperatures can easily drain any battery – an under-powered one will be particularly vulnerable.
 
Short journeys put a lot more pressure on the battery than long ones even in the best of circumstances and an under-sized one simply may not have the opportunity to recharge sufficiently, which could lead the alternator to overheat and cause long term damage.
 

What if the battery is too large?

Equally, using a battery that is too large has its own implications. For one thing, it simply might not fit into your car's battery compartment. If you do manage to fit it, there is always the possibility that the terminals may touch other metal parts of the bodywork which may cause the battery to short-circuit. Even when safely and successfully accommodated, the wrong battery will present a discrepancy between output and demand which will cause the same problems for the alternator as a battery that is too small.

 

https://batterymanguide.com/what-happens-if-you-put-the-wrong-size-battery-in-your-car/

"...Can You Put A Bigger Battery In Your Car?

There are a few disadvantages of using a bigger car battery. One consideration is the physical size of the cell. There is a possibility that it may not fit your battery tray. Another thing is that the terminals may contact other metal parts that could create a spark.

The next items are the rate of amperage that may cause your alternator to continuously work to keep your large battery charged all the time. It may cause your alternator to fail..."

Expand  

If you understand how a car alternator works, this statement is false or misleading.

Car alternator is linked to the engine via a belt. As long as the engine is running, the belt will turn the alternator and it will be constantly be "working" so to speak. Even when the engine is idling, the alternator is "working".

Only difference will be the alternator will be forced to work harder whenever you ram your engine (ie. RPM increase). That is why after a flat battery is jump started, the advice is always to drive the car around for a distance to allow the battery to charge up. Even when idling, the battery is being charged, just more slowly as part of the generated electrical power from the alternator needs to be diverted to run the car's electrical system.

Correct me if I am wrong, I do not know of any engine management system that will increase the engine RPM just to work the alternator harder as to charge a larger capacity battery faster?

So the talk of saving or increasing fuel consumption due to battery sizes/failing battery/alternator does not hold water.

[Freeder]

For car batt, made in CECA brand “Amaron” good enough for me liao..

No need all these chao ah beng chop carrot shop to fleece us..

[Kb27]

Here's another secret. Occasionally, (maybe 6 months interval) you need to do an equalizing charge on the battery.

It's a sort of "overvolt" charge at 15.8V, not more. This will bring the electrolyte in the lead-acid cell up to the max strength. This cannot be charged by alternator, bcuz alternator control the voltage to around 13~14V. It has to be done by adjustable DC supply and the battery monitored for any excessive heat.

After that, if you use it to crank the engine, you will find it crank very fast. It had bcum a very "powerful" battery. 

But after using a period of time, the electrolyte will drop back to the "normal" level, due to alternator charging.

[DOBIEMKZ]

  On 6/14/2022 at 6:48 AM, Kb27 said:

Here's another secret. Occasionally, (maybe 6 months interval) you need to do an equalizing charge on the battery.

It's a sort of "overvolt" charge at 15.8V, not more. This will bring the electrolyte in the lead-acid cell up to the max strength. This cannot be charged by alternator, bcuz alternator control the voltage to around 13~14V. It has to be done by adjustable DC supply and the battery monitored for any excessive heat.

After that, if you use it to crank the engine, you will find it crank very fast. It had bcum a very "powerful" battery. 

But after using a period of time, the electrolyte will drop back to the "normal" level, due to alternator charging.

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@Kb27 ✌️Oki, well noted. I shall mark your words. 😁

[Uluwatu06]

  On 6/13/2022 at 7:21 PM, Kb27 said:

Change your battery out early. 1 yr, instead of 2 yrs.

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Think this is overkill. Probably applicable to certain, older cars only.

Some cars.... the batteries can last 5-6 years.  

[Arogab]

I am electrically educated, upgrading battery theory does not exist in education in terms that the cars are already design into what is needed. 

Only consideration is what the car gives you. Lower branded batteries? Then you only upgrade to a higher brand with same specs, or maintenance free type. But this should not be called upgrading.

Yes, bigger capacity like Bro Vratenza said is true, holds out longer, but also takes longer to charge, mind your requirements. And specs should still be the same like for the voltage and the output current. Capacity is just one of the specs.

[Sdf4786k]

Please note that with some conti, the moment u change the size, you have to let the ecu batt module knows the charge level of the new batt..

so yes changing or upsize does help in days when it rains heavily n you turn on head lamps and wipers and get stuck in traffic 

[Datsun366]

  On 6/14/2022 at 1:29 AM, Watwheels said:

Depending on brand and size. My agm battery cost between $200-$280. I dont think it is an overkill. If it doesnt need to be charged constantly like lead acid battery it will free up your alternator. Feel more power and see better fuel economy.

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Yes. More power and fuel economy. True.

[inlinesix]

  On 6/14/2022 at 10:10 AM, Sdf4786k said:

Please note that with some conti, the moment u change the size, you have to let the ecu batt module knows the charge level of the new batt..

so yes changing or upsize does help in days when it rains heavily n you turn on head lamps and wipers and get stuck in traffic 

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If battery is different from default, need to change the setting in ECU.

Every new battery need to indicate it in ECU.

[Kb27]

Depending on the car, luxury ones like BMW, may need to reprogram what type and battery size you use, so the ecu will adjust its charge accordingly.

AGM is charged at a slightly lower voltage compared to lead-acid battery.

Lower-end cars don't really care, they just assume you're using lead-acid and charge at higher voltage around 14V. So if you put AGM on a low-end car, your AGM will be overcharged and died in a short time.

[Mkl22]

  On 6/14/2022 at 3:27 AM, Vratenza said:

If you understand how a car alternator works, this statement is false or misleading.

Car alternator is linked to the engine via a belt. As long as the engine is running, the belt will turn the alternator and it will be constantly be "working" so to speak. Even when the engine is idling, the alternator is "working".

Only difference will be the alternator will be forced to work harder whenever you ram your engine (ie. RPM increase). That is why after a flat battery is jump started, the advice is always to drive the car around for a distance to allow the battery to charge up. Even when idling, the battery is being charged, just more slowly as part of the generated electrical power from the alternator needs to be diverted to run the car's electrical system.

Correct me if I am wrong, I do not know of any engine management system that will increase the engine RPM just to work the alternator harder as to charge a larger capacity battery faster?

So the talk of saving or increasing fuel consumption due to battery sizes/failing battery/alternator does not hold water.

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Disagree with your last paragraph.
https://www.repairsmith.com/i/blog/car-voltage-regulator/

https://www.carparts.com/blog/a-short-course-on-charging-systems/amp/

Edited June 14, 2022 by Mkl22

[Vratenza]

  On 6/14/2022 at 2:22 PM, Mkl22 said:

Disagree with your last paragraph.
https://www.repairsmith.com/i/blog/car-voltage-regulator/

https://www.carparts.com/blog/a-short-course-on-charging-systems/amp/

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Hmm, skimmed through both article... I am trying to guess you are saying that a failing/failed voltage regulator will mess up the charging of the battery and the electrical system? 

[Sdf4786k]

  On 6/14/2022 at 1:36 PM, inlinesix said:

If battery is different from default, need to change the setting in ECU.

Every new battery need to indicate it in ECU.

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Yup.. so every new batt is calibrated to recalculate the charge life and how indicate the battery life as well.. not so much in a jap car .. as far as I am aware of