when searching for an optima...

[danteBirosel 5,000+ posts]

what am i looking for? I'm for sure looking to buy a dual sae post right??

what about the other specs? what's that cold cranking spec?

any sites u guys recommend?

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[prochobo 10+ year member]

I wouldn't order one online because it'll probaby be either the same price or higher due to shipping. Get the biggest that can fit in your engine bay. Most YT are 750CA, 120 reserve. The smaller ones are like 650CA.

 

[QtrHorse 10+ year member]

Cranking Amps:

Cranking amps is the spec that tells you how much current a battery can produce for 30 seconds at a temperature of 32° F and not have the voltage on any of the individual cells drop below 1.2 volts (7.2 volts for a 6 cell automotive battery). This may also be known as MCA or marine cranking amps.

Cold Cranking Amps:

This is the same test as cranking amps but is done at 0° F. The CCA spec is especially important if you live in a really cold climate. Since the chemical reaction that produces electrical current in the battery slows down as the temperature drops, the battery can produce less current at colder temperatures (especially below freezing). When comparing the current capacity of batteries, make sure that you have some standards to qualify the current ratings. If you see the current rating without CA or CCA, you don't know how the battery was tested and the current rating is virtually useless.

Reserve Capacity:

The reserve capacity is the time that a battery can produce 25 amps at 80° F before the individual cell voltage drops below 1.75 volts (10.5 volts for a 6 cell automotive battery).

This is a good electrical how to site; bcae1.