Resolved Are batteries fairly universal if they have similar specs?

[Kreepykreepz]

94 gsx, I relocated my battery and its just barely too big to fit where I want it, maybe 1/2" in every direction. I want to find a smaller battery to fit there, and dont want the small battery kit if I can help it. As long as terminals line up, its 12v and has similar CCAs and CAs, will it work or is there something else to worry about or will other batteries just not work? Thanks guys

 

[bigfred]

As long as the CCA and CAs are the same and it will fit where you want it then you should be fine with using a different battery than the same class as the original.

 

[97egl]

Basically any 12v automotive battery that fits will work. The only place you may run into issues is if the CCA is significantly lower than factory it may have trouble spinning the engine over especially in the cold and the excessive draw could shorten the battery life. As long as its around the same CCA or above that shouldnt be an issue

 

[enriquez2000]

I ise a group 51 since its more compact

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[We're on Boost]

I always look at the "Battery Reserve Capacity" number which is given in Minutes.
This rating has kind of replaced the "Amp-Hours" rating.
Anyway it has a standard meaning that you can google to read about.
The "Small Battery" kits that I know of don't have much for Reserve Minutes.

Just for ball-park numbers:
A modern high quality battery of the same size and group as the original 1G Battery will have about 110 Reserve Minutes. That's great but you probably don't need that much.
A "Large" Miata battery will have about 75 Reserve Minutes. (Group 51 and 51R) That's pretty good.
A "Small" Miata battery (like for the older Miatas) will have about 45 Reserve Minutes. That's getting down there, but it's what I've been using for the last 7 years and I've been surviving with it. They are getting hard to find and expensive though.
An Odyssey PC680 has 24 Reserve Minutes, as of the last time I looked (2019). Personally I would not want that.

 

[enriquez2000]

I always look at the "Battery Reserve Capacity" number which is given in Minutes.
This rating has kind of replaced the "Amp-Hours" rating.
Anyway it has a standard meaning that you can google to read about.
The "Small Battery" kits that I know of don't have much for Reserve Minutes.

Just for ball-park numbers:
A modern high quality battery of the same size and group as the original 1G Battery will have about 110 Reserve Minutes. That's great but you probably don't need that much.
A "Large" Miata battery will have about 75 Reserve Minutes. (Group 51 and 51R) That's pretty good.
A "Small" Miata battery (like for the older Miatas) will have about 45 Reserve Minutes. That's getting down there, but it's what I've been using for the last 7 years and I've been surviving with it. They are getting hard to find and expensive though.
An Odyssey PC680 has 24 Reserve Minutes, as of the last time I looked (2019). Personally I would not want that.

I personally loathe odyssey batteries unless its a designated track car. If you have an e85 car that reserve sometimes empties before you even get started up.

Group 51 has been great.. wouldnt even notice a difference from stock

 

[Mech Addict]

In Texas you don’t need much cold start capacity. Smaller should be fine.

 

[We're on Boost]

For me the Reserve Minutes are only partly for cold starts. They are more to help with emergencies out on the road. For example, if my alternator dies, will the car keep running long enough for me to get home. Or, if the car quits running and it lands in a bad place, can I roll the car along on the starter for 80 yards or so to get to a better place to wait for the flatbed. Or to get to the next side road where I'd be safer working on the car. 3 seconds at a time on the starter of course. Don't want to burn that puppy up! Then, how long will I still have lights and a phone charger. These things happen less often probably if your car is stock!

 

[Kreepykreepz]

Awesome.

I ise a group 51 since its more compact

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Oh nice. That looks small enough for what I want. Thanks a lot man!

 

[Kreepykreepz]

I always look at the "Battery Reserve Capacity" number which is given in Minutes.
This rating has kind of replaced the "Amp-Hours" rating.
Anyway it has a standard meaning that you can google to read about.
The "Small Battery" kits that I know of don't have much for Reserve Minutes.

Just for ball-park numbers:
A modern high quality battery of the same size and group as the original 1G Battery will have about 110 Reserve Minutes. That's great but you probably don't need that much.
A "Large" Miata battery will have about 75 Reserve Minutes. (Group 51 and 51R) That's pretty good.
A "Small" Miata battery (like for the older Miatas) will have about 45 Reserve Minutes. That's getting down there, but it's what I've been using for the last 7 years and I've been surviving with it. They are getting hard to find and expensive though.
An Odyssey PC680 has 24 Reserve Minutes, as of the last time I looked (2019). Personally I would not want that.

This is super helpful. Thank you very much