What Does Group Size Mean On A Battery

You might recollect shopping for a new automobile battery is as simple as replacing it with 1 that looks the aforementioned, merely at that place's really a bit more to it.

Non only are in that location several types of auto batteries, only they come in different sizes as well.

Are you lot confused yet?

Don't worry, nosotros've got y'all covered.

If y'all're request yourself: "what size battery do I need?" then you accept come to the correct place.

For a battery to fit, it must exist the right size. Thankfully, group sizes brand finding the right one easy.

Y'all must also choose a battery type – wet cell or VRLA. The former contains liquid electrolytes and may crave lite maintenance. The latter has no liquid and is maintenance-free.

Are you ready to swoop into the exciting world of bombardment types and group sizes?

Allow'south get started with the essentials!

Wet Cell Or VRLA – Which Car Battery Blazon Should You Choose?

Wet Prison cell Car Batteries

Whether you lot prefer the term "wet jail cell" or "flooded" is upwards to you. Regardless, these are the original lead-acid batteries designed specifically for automotive use.

Why is that?

Because they're durable, affordable, and when properly maintained, volition final a long time. When we say "properly-maintained," we're referring to the simply existent downside of a wet cell battery – many of them require inspection every few weeks.

What y'all desire to check is the h2o level, which a wet prison cell battery uses to produce power. Every bit the charge cycles, it loses h2o, meaning y'all'll have to add distilled water virtually once per calendar month.

Thankfully, this is as elementary as removing a cap and calculation a pocket-size amount of distilled water.

Even so, there are also sealed wet cell batteries that practice not require attention and these are known as "semi-solids."

At that place are ii types of wet cell batteries to cull between, including SLI and deep bicycle.

SLI stands for Starting, Lighting, and Ignition, and every bit you might have guessed, this is what they're in charge of. These evangelize a curt flare-up of power to get the vehicle started. They also ability the lights and ignition. After that, information technology's up to the alternator to go along things running.

The second variation is a deep cycle (also known as a marine battery).

Where a wet cell is made to deliver brusque bursts of power, where they never run low. Deep cycle batteries supply long-term power and tin be recharged many times even after depletion of up to lxxx%.

VRLA Car Batteries

car mechanic replacing car battery VRLA car battery

The second type of car battery is known as a VRLA (Valve Regulated Atomic number 82-Acid). These are sealed batteries, meaning no gases or liquids tin go far, and none can come up out.

The strength of a VRLA motorcar battery is also its weakness. Since information technology's sealed, it does not crave any maintenance, but this also ways information technology can't be worked on. Meaning if in that location's a problem with it, replacement is the but choice.

VRLA auto batteries also don't contain any liquid electrolytes, they favor other ways, such as gel or AGM.

VRLA batteries with gel electrolytes are very durable. They tin can withstand impacts, shocks, high temperatures, and vibrations.

AGM VRLA batteries work similarly to those with gel, merely the electrolytes are kept in glass mats instead. These are made of sparse fibers meshed together. This creates a dry substance that holds the electrolytes and prevents them from spilling.

Which machine battery type is right for you?

Well, this is where group sizes come into play. Your vehicle was designed with a specific battery in mind, which is explained in your owner manual. Sticking with the suggested bombardment negates having to worry virtually things like the cold cranking amps (CCA) and reserve chapters (RC).

Let the states now get over the unlike battery group sizes in item.

Car Battery Grouping Sizes Explained

one blue car battery, many black car batteries

The group size indicates several things. These include the length, width, and height of the battery, as well as the location of each terminal. Whichever group it falls in, information technology will besides exist unique to the twelvemonth, brand, and model of the car.

The sizing is based on an industry-standard. This makes it easier for automakers to pattern their engine compartments around.

Thankfully, rather than having to pull out a record measure to figure out which group size your bombardment falls in, it's displayed correct on the unit of measurement itself.

A few of the nearly common include:

Many car brands tend to favor specific groups, like Full general Motors. GM often uses side-post batteries, which comport group numbers similar 70, 74, 75, and 78.

This shows that the grouping number specifies not merely the size, but the design of the bombardment as well. Some of these include side-post, recessed tiptop, and American standard.

The design is crucial to consider, because with some of them, like a recessed height battery, the posts do not protrude as they exercise on an American standard. The same goes for a side-mail service, which houses the posts on the side rather than the top.

Thanks to the battery group sizing system, it's as simple as looking at the unit for the group number and replacing it with ane that matches. However, yous should always wait in the possessor manual, just in case someone installed the wrong one previously by error.

What Happens If Y'all Install The Incorrect Sized Bombardment?

If you install the incorrect size battery, then y'all conspicuously never read through this article.

Nonetheless, if you lot did happen to buy the wrong size, information technology's likely that it won't fit correctly in identify. If it does fit, that doesn't mean you lot're out of the woods.

Using an American standard as an example. If you apply one in a vehicle congenital for a recessed summit, the ports may cease up being besides close to the hood of the auto. This can create a spark, cause an electric short, or even pb to a fire.

Why take the take chances in the first place? Instead, take the time to consult your owner manual and determine which battery size grouping your car was made for.