battery

[wayne111gwen111d]

i have a battery on a sany mini digger with a 540cca 60 amp battery , i was wondering if i could put a higher amp battery on it

 

[doobin]

Yes any 12v battery will be fine.

However the original spec should be all you need. What issues are you experiencing?

 

[V8Druid]

physical dimensions are obviously a limiting factor though

 

[Splosh]

Depends why you need to change it - issues with starting , or adding additional lights etc which will draw more current .

If the alternator is only a 60A output, then a higher ampage battery won't charge fully.

 

[Gecko]

If the alternator is only a 60A output, then a higher ampage battery won't charge fully.

Why so?
A Lucas C38 will eventually charge any battery (given enough time).
Charge condition is a Voltage function. Output current only determines how long it will take.

 

[Splosh]

You're right, but it's the quality of the charge too - a trickle charge is great, but if the machine isn't being used long enough to complete the charging cycle, it will reduce the life of the cells.

 

[Gecko]

You're right, but it's the quality of the charge too - a trickle charge is great, but if the machine isn't being used long enough to complete the charging cycle, it will reduce the life of the cells.

Very true, but the size of the battery doesn't alter how much charge is taken off the top (normal use).
eg. you turn the lights on (say 10A load) without starting the machine. You fluff around for two hours giving it some grease, checking oil and water, (updating FB) before you get around to starting the engine - 2h x 10A = 20Ah of charge off the battery.
When you start the engine, the recharge time will be the same regardless of the battery being 60Ah or 100Ah.

If you've left the lights on overnight and pulled the battery down close to zero, then yes, it'll take longer to charge the bigger battery (because it had more to loose).

The size of the alternator isn't chosen for battery charging, it's to make sure you have enough power for the electrical loads (lights, heater blower(s), cooling fan, radio, wiper motors etc.).

 

[wayne111gwen111d]

Yes any 12v battery will be fine.

However the original spec should be all you need. What issues are you experiencing?

hi when trying to start the starter is just clicking, then some times it turns over after a few clicks.. if i put jump leads on the battery it starts first time

 

[wayne111gwen111d]

thanks for the replies, much appreciated

 

[Gecko]

if i put jump leads on the battery it starts first time

Sounds like your terminals are getting skanky.

Take the terminals off their posts, use a terminal cleaning brush and reassemble.

It's possible either the starter switch or solenoid is NQR, but the terminals are the first place to start.

This is probably the most common style and will do the job fine.

Of course it's also possible one terminal is loose and just needs tightening up.

 

[V8Druid]

Sounds like your terminals are getting skanky.

Take the terminals off their posts, use a terminal cleaning brush and reassemble.

It's possible either the starter switch or solenoid is NQR, but the terminals are the first place to start.

This is probably the most common style and will do the job fine.

View attachment 80427

Of course it's also possible one terminal is loose and just needs tightening up.

or bad machine earth / needs cleaning ditto main pole on starter - not unknown to come loose either, with all the repeated heating/cooling of start current being drawn

 

[Gecko]

physical dimensions are obviously a limiting factor though

... and terminal locations.