new car battery

bobby14

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I need a new 12V car battery and doing some research now. Are there any specs I should look for that can help power dash cam in parking mode for longer period? It's a car battery not a power bank.
 
Car batteries are designed to provide high current for short duration. This is needed for starting. Car batteries are not intended for extended use such as powering a flashlight. Cars will specify minimum CCA or Cold Cranking Amps and overall size. At a minimum, a new battery must match CCA. I often consider a battery with more CCA in the same size.

Deep cell batteries are designed to provide long duration power, but at less current. These are not suitable for automobiles. Deep cell batteries are used for chassis power on recreational vehicles to run accessories when stopped and boat trolling motors to slowly move about without the noise of a gas driven motor.

Marine batteries are a combination of starting and deep cell. The internal plates are configured to provide the CCA's to start a boat motor, and deliver a lower current for longer duration. I can't comment on How well they do each job. I have not heard of people using marine batteries in cars.

You could install a separate small rechargeable 12v battery with the dashcam using an add-a-fuse on a circuit engerized with ignition. These batteries are used in various capacities on computer ups units and available online. The battery would charge while driving and run the dashcam when parked. Because it would be isolated from the car upon removal of the key, it won't discharge the car battery. Add a few diodes for even more isolation.
 
Look for best capacity that fits within your battery box and type of cable connection. Batteries come in "Battery Group" letters/numbers to code the size, and terminal type & location. You need to match your vehicles original battery group, but there will be many different capacities available. List of battery groups: https://www.batteryweb.com/bci.cfm

In general, CCA, RC and C20 provide capacity measurement, the higher the number, the better. They have different purposes in what they measure, so read about it before you buy. Another site with helpful info is http://www.autobatteries.com/en-us/battery-basics/selection/
Spiral cell batteries have several advantages over flat cell, but they cost more.

Quote from autobatteries.com

  • Cold cranking amps (CCA): CCA is a rating used in the battery industry to define a battery's ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. Generally speaking, it is easier to start an engine in a warm environment than in a cold environment. The rating refers to the number of amps a 12-volt battery can deliver at 0°F for 30 seconds while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts. The higher the CCA rating, the greater the starting power of the battery.
  • Reserve capacity (RC): RC is a general indicator of how long a new, fully charged battery can continue to operate essential accessories if the vehicle’s alternator fails. It identifies how many minutes the battery can deliver a constant current of 25 amps at 80°F without falling below the minimum voltage, 1.75 volts per cell, needed to keep your vehicle running.
  • C20 capacity: Some premium batteries also define their C20 capacity in ampere-hour (Ah). C20 capacity is an indicator of how much energy is stored in a battery. It is the energy a battery can deliver continuously for 20 hours at 80°F without falling below 10.5 volts.
In general, for CCA, RC and C20 ratings, the higher the number, the better. However, there are still other factors to consider when choosing the right battery.
  • If you live in a cold climate, the CCA rating is a more important consideration than it is if you live in a warm climate. Battery starting power deteriorates as the battery ages, so a battery with higher starting power should give you more confidence over time
  • If you live in a hot climate, heat accelerates battery degradation. You may want to choose a product that is specially designed for the hot climate.
  • If you’re looking to power a vehicle with numerous electronic features or plug-in accessories, you should consider a deep-cycle battery or a battery made with advanced technology like AGM.
 
Yeah as albertson said, go for as many Ah that will fit in your car.
Only in size can a car battery be too large.
 
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