Universal battery under the hood?

[ta2ed9783]

Is this ok? Like a powersonic or any type of ups battery that is only rated for ah and not cranking amps? I have a kinetic 600 in the back but a regular starting batt in front. Wanted to know if I could swap it with a universal of same group size.

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[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

designed for different purposes - long, slow discharge vs. high current. the UPS battery will be a deep cycle type. it will work in tandem with the rear battery to start the car - but you want to get float voltages/resting voltages close to the same. misusing them will greatly shorten their life.

two unequal batteries will fight each other, the weaker one will pull the stronger one down.

 

[ta2ed9783]

So it would be better to get a Kinetic 1800 for under hood and maybe add another Kinetic 600 in the back?

 

[ta2ed9783]

designed for different purposes - long, slow discharge vs. high current. the UPS battery will be a deep cycle type. it will work in tandem with the rear battery to start the car - but you want to get float voltages/resting voltages close to the same. misusing them will greatly shorten their life.
two unequal batteries will fight each other, the weaker one will pull the stronger one down.

What if it's a high rate discharge battery like the Deka Unigy? Or i have seen others that have a high rate series

Would these work if its the same battery size?

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

same physical size means nothing. same chemical composition, cell design, float voltage, discharge rate, etc. should be considered when paralleling batteries. at the very least, you want a similar type (like two AGM).

can you do it and will it work for a while? yes.

would I combine different batteries? no. they will fight each other and the weaker one always wins.

 

[ta2ed9783]

same physical size means nothing. same chemical composition, cell design, float voltage, discharge rate, etc. should be considered when paralleling batteries. at the very least, you want a similar type (like two AGM).
can you do it and will it work for a while? yes.

would I combine different batteries? no. they will fight each other and the weaker one always wins.

Thanks man. I went ahead and got a new kinetic 1800 from sonic for $169

 

[bbeljefe]

same physical size means nothing. same chemical composition, cell design, float voltage, discharge rate, etc. should be considered when paralleling batteries. at the very least, you want a similar type (like two AGM).
can you do it and will it work for a while? yes.

would I combine different batteries? no. they will fight each other and the weaker one always wins.

I once saw a Wal-mart battery in one of those Sumo wrestling diapers take out a Die Hard like it was nothing....

Gotta watch those diaper wearing batteries.