Battery Specs - help needed for my Chevy Express 2500

[saabman]

Hi

Needing to replace my starter battery on my 1998 Chevy Express Van and I can't for the life of me find the specs I need to get the correct power battery.

As you all know I am in Europe and here seems batteries are sold with Amp/Hour ratings but don't have the same references as the ones in the US...

Can someone tell me what Amp/h my Van starter battery should have ?

Many thanks for any help you can give

[jage]

Is that metric hours?

The starter batteries here are generly by CCA, "Cold Cranking Amps", whereas "Amp/Hours" is generally reserved for house batteries or dual purpose. According to Autozone your van takes anything from 650 cca, to 800 cca. You can't go wrong by going bigger in my opinion, but I don't know how 800 CCA translates to Amp/Hours.

Here is what is listed for the 2005 Sprinter 2500, 5 cyl Diesel:

2 required *** 760 cold cranking Amps (950 cranking Amps) *** 100 reserve minutes. -> 3 year free replacement

Maybe you can compare that and get an idea what 760 CCA translates to.

[Ford_6L_E350]

Stateside batteries are sized for each application. Typical sizes are Group22, 24 and 27.
Group Length Width Height

22F 241 175 211

24 260 173 225

27 306 173 225

See the entire chart at: http://www.rtpnet.org/teaa/bcigroup.html

Inside each group are various outputs. Typically, a less expensive battery will have a lower output or maybe less life expectancy. Better batteries cost more and last longer.

In your case, I would measure the existing battery. Check if a larger battery will fit. Buy the highest output battery that fits both the battery box and your budget.

Mike

[Scalf77]

This guide may help
http://hallaweb.jlab.org/tech/Detectors ... atalog.pdf



Amp/Hours = (Reserve Capacity / 2) plus 16

[saabman]

Wow
Thanks for your replies!

The thing is I am sure I can get a real US spec battery but I will have to pay more and get it a specialised store. My idea here is to be able to go to my local superstore and buy my batteries there...

Ok got to get converting this weekend

Thanx again for your help

[saabman]

OK small update on batteries:

I have found a battery specialist who will tell me exactly what conversion specs I will need for a US to EU swap...