Bigger Battery & Alternator!!!!

[golfman]

Guys i was wondering what would happen if i were to put a stronger battery and alternator on the car?

is there any chance of fire or anything else happening?

the reason I'm asking is because i have added so many extras to my car and it struggles to almost start!!!

any help would be great

cheers

scott

[Gti_Mad]

i cant see that causing a problem at all scott

all u need is an alternator wiv heavier amperage output and battery

[dub singh]

Im running a 2500W RMS sound system... on a standard alt that came on the 1.6FSI.. between 70-90a i would assume..

Running a BIG Deep cycle battery in the back (Stinger SPV70) supported by a 200a stinger relay...

your alt should be fine, could try just upgrading your Battery and the Big 3 first..?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Guys i was wondering what would happen if i were to put a stronger battery and alternator on the car?

is there any chance of fire or anything else happening?

the reason I'm asking is because i have added so many extras to my car and it struggles to almost start!!!

That scenario would probably just indicate the need for a higher capacity battery.  Alternators usually have a good deal of headroom in them these days.

What is the spec of your current battery?  Ie, what 'Ah' and what 'CCA'?

[Teutonic_Tamer]

i cant see that causing a problem at all scott

all u need is an alternator wiv heavier amperage output and battery

Why?????

Alternators don't 'start' an engine, the battery does!

[the bruce]

Guys i was wondering what would happen if i were to put a stronger battery and alternator on the car?

No prob to fit a bigger battery.  


But I'd ask two different questions instead:


1. Why change battery or even generator?

2. If changing the battery, why bigger and not better?


Most TDI and TFSI already have a 140 A generator. These are proper sized.
My GTI had the same battery size as most TDI: 70/72 Ah. This sufficient as well.

If you need more capacity for hifi I'd go for a second batt in the boot, if you
need more cranking amps I'd have a look for a more advanced AGM type.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Most TDI and TFSI already have a 140 A generator. These are proper sized.

Didn't I say that earlier?  

My GTI had the same battery size as most TDI: 70/72 Ah. This sufficient as well.

72Ah are very different from 70Ah - the differences in the 'Cold Cranking Amps' (CCA) is very noticeable.

And many TDIs have 80Ah batts. 

If you need more capacity for hifi I'd go for a second batt in the boot, if you
need more cranking amps I'd have a look for a more advanced AGM type.

AGMs are still very expensive - a quality calcium or calcium/silver battery with a healthy-sized CCA is probably more than adequate for curing sluggish cranking.


The other advice we missed is better battery 'management' - ie, dont sit in your car for 20 minutes after turning off the engine with the hi-fi cranking out!

[the bruce]

Didn't I say that earlier?  

Yes, you did. I'm with you.

72Ah are very different from 70Ah - the differences in the 'Cold Cranking Amps' (CCA) is very noticeable.

And many TDIs have 80Ah batts.  .

Possibly.

AGMs are still very expensive - a quality calcium or calcium/silver battery with a healthy-sized CCA is probably more than adequate for curing sluggish cranking.

Many cars come with AGMs from factory, eg all Audi TT (sic), all BMW 1 series, most BMW 3 series . . .
They are used when the battery is not placed in the engine bay.
These are only 20,-- - 30,-- pounds more than a conventinal battery. Of course there are more
expensive racing types (which are small but strong) and the lead/calscium VW uses in the Golf
are pretty good as well.

And yes, don't listen radio without engine running - at least not in the winter !!

[dub singh]

And yes, don't listen radio without engine running - at least not in the winter !!

Unless you have a second battery in the boot 

[golfman]

Here is my battery!!!!




scott

[the bruce]

That's been my stock battery:

[golfman]

Guys the reason that I'm thinking about this is because of all the extra mods that i have added to my car i just think that all the extra lights and power are taking more juice from the battery!!!!!

I'm sure that the vw phaeton has to get a full battery charge when its in for a service just because of all the extra toys it has too

scott

[Eddie-NL]

your mods are only going to drain the battery when the engine is not running

 

[the bruce]

A larger batt doesn't improve anything unless listening radio after engine stop
is possible for a longer period.
If there's more drop you need a larger generator to charge the battery faster.
This is from theory.

In real I guess you didn't need anything at all. Just drive enough to charge the
battery completely.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Here is my battery!!!!




scott

That is the good one - 640A SAE Cold Cranking Amps !