Battery

Syncro · Nov 23, 2005

Anybody know whats a good replacement battery for a full sized hoe? Wal-Mart sells a 'Marine' battery thats supposed to be a deep cycle (what ever that means) with 875 CA. The case is bigger than car batteries, but cranking amps is lower /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Price is right at $64, anybody use one of these? Its called a MAX 29. Any suggestions short of the over priced dealer? Its getting cold here these days and that 4 cyl diesel is hard to spin with the small car battery it now has.

MadReferee · Nov 23, 2005

The deep cycle batteries are typically used in applications where the battery will be drained almost completely before being recharged. They are usually used as the house battery in RV's.

Your best bet is to get a couple of 6 volt HD batteries and connect them in series. That is what is in my dozer and it takes quite a bit of oomph to get the starter to turn that 6 cylinder diesel motor over.

Egon · Nov 23, 2005

Find the biggest battery rated for rough service that will fit. Also try and get the most cranking amps possible. I'd also try for maintenance free type.

Batteries seem to have changed a lot over the past few years so ask a lot of questions.

Egon

ScottAR · Nov 23, 2005

Measure your old batteries and go to your commerical style parts store or diesel truck center and get a fleet battery that fits in the space of the old one.

Syncro · Nov 24, 2005

Thanks all for the info. Using two 6v batteries sounds like a very good way to get a lot of juice, never thought of that. I checked the starting amps in the book and to my surprise my machine only requires 375 CCA, but thats at zero degrees. Still, I think I'd be OK with the Wal Mart deep cycle battery as it has 675 CCA at 32 deg. The write up on that model battery says its made special for vibration, which comes with use in a heavy machine. So I think I'll get one of those, for $64 its priced right.

Attached pic of my backhoe is where the battery will go.

Highbeam · Nov 24, 2005

The deep cycle type of battery is bizarre. You want a starting battery that is made to stay charged and give up max energy when you hit the starter. Any particular reason for the deep cycle?

Syncro · Nov 24, 2005

<font color="blue"> Any particular reason for the deep cycle? </font>

Its made stronger, according to the specs it has extra room at the bottom of the plates and other things to make it more vibration resistant. You're correct that I don't need the deep cycle feature, but it seems to me its a better built battery and still has a decent starting capacity of 875 CA and 675 CCA.

couchsachraga · Nov 30, 2005

Wal-mart batteries really aren't the greatest. Buy a new one, run a test on it with proper equipement (that simulates a start, etc...), and chances are you'll find the new battery is already "bad" as it doesn't have as many cranky amps as it should. It WILL work for a while, and you're right, the price is right, but personally I like to do things once, and do them right, so I'll second the notion of finding a good parts source (I use Car Quest, believe it or not-it's an independent shop affiliated with them, and they have several different "grades" of batteries, and can tell you the difference). For my Dynahoe 190 I had two Walmart Max batteries (procured for free from junk cars

), both about 1 year old. Each was supposed to be 1000 CA at 32, 875 CCA (at 0F). Neither were...in fact, one was 400CA at 70 F /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif . Replaced with two proper equipment batteries, that are 1200CA at 32, 1125 or something at 0F. Needless to say turning over and starting is not an issue, even when it's cold....

sometimes, you get what you pay for....

Syncro · Dec 1, 2005

<font color="blue"> Wal-mart batteries really aren't the greatest </font>

couchsachraga:
Thanks for the input but I've already bought the Max 29 deep cycle. So far its spun that diesel like a windmill, but as you say only time will tell for sure how long it will last. It does have an 18 mo full replacement guarentee so thats some comfort should it fail.

I see you're in the Adirondacks. I grew up there and know first hand how cold it gets, as a kid I've seen 20 below for days and often would connect 2 6v batteries in series to get my '38 chevy started. Even with both batteries kept warm inside it was a hard start. That straight 30w oil was probably as thick as molasses.

couchsachraga · Dec 2, 2005

From the Adirondacks to Nevada, eh? I've spent some time out west and missed the trees (and variety of trees, at that) too much, but it is beautiful.

Keep an eye on that battery, and be sure to get a replacement before 18 months if you can /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

Couchsachraga