Battery CCA in Chicago

[cyberborikua]

Hi people and Happy Holidays. I am in the market for a new battery for my 1979 Spider. I live in Chicago. So many options, yet what would be a good recommendation as for the CCA and other battery features in my area? I know a higher CCA is important, but how high should I go? Im not necessary looking for a high end battery, but one within an average price range. Any help is appreciated.

[njoconnor]

I'm not sure CCA is necessarily the most important facet, even given your Chicago location. If you plan on daily driving the Spider this winter, perhaps yes (especially if parked outside). For my 72, the size was actually most critical: most of the "battery finders" I could find on line didn't list the car. I started by taking the HxLxD measurements into a battery dealer, and went from there. I ended up with a Diehard Gold, coming back full circle to my preferred batteries from long ago. Rarely had issues with them back in the day, and Sears *generally* stood by them. That said, when #2 son went to work for a local Walmart, I started using their batteries (he got a discount), and was equally happy. Interestingly, those were the only batteries I ever purchased which had a couple die before their warranty was up. Got a couple of really discounted news ones over the years.

My impression is that most of the available consumer batteries are made by 1 or 2 manufacturers, despite all the branding hype. Battery swaps have gone from expected and regular, to "Huh?" over the past 10-15 years for me. I'd make sure the dimensions fit your battery box, and that the terminals correctly line up with the cables. And.....buy a decent trickle charger if the Spider will sit most of the winter. I got a nice solar charger for about $25 from O'Reillys, and it kept Blue 72 nicely charged all last winter in an unheated outbuilding at our old house. Fired right up in the spring with no issues.

Neil

[cyberborikua]

Thank you Neil for a thorough response. Im gonna check the Sears batteries. Actually, my Fiat is rather a summer car, but I die to give her a spin or two over the winter season. So far, I have browsed a few suppliers online like Advance Auto and NAPA, and they do list my car and suggest a number of batteries. Right now Im intrigued by the NAPA 40, but will consider others as well bc I want a battery I could share with my other cars if so needed. What are the features on your 72 Diehard battery?

[njoconnor]

No special features beyond a size which fits on the engine compartment battery shelf. 785 CCA IIRC. If/when the others in the fleet need batteries, I'll certainly consider another Diehard, but will also look at a couple of other places as prices/accessibility warrant.

Neil

[cyberborikua]

785 CCA is excellent. Thanks!