6.2 liter starting batteries CCA

[imiceman44]

So I am almost ready to get my turbo diesel suburban started, a couple sensors to hookup and putting batteries and start purging the fuel system.
I am trying to use dual post batteries and I am looking at marine batteries with only 550 cca each.
Is 1100 cca enough to start if I have the 28mt gear reduction starter?
I usually go with the biggest power I can find to be comfortable but I now can't spend a fortune on batteries.
The interstate marine batteries are $78.99 at Costco.
The cheapest I found not marine with dual post is $160.

 

[red EOD]

I've personally started the 6.2/6.5 engines on a single 550CCA battery in winter. Just expect a shorter battery life and make sure the glow plug system is working right.

 

[tRustyK5]

In California I'd say that should be plenty, unless you're heading into the mountains a lot in the middle of winter. Then as long as the IP, injectors etc are in decent shape it should be just fine. I'd consider heavier gauge cables if it's in the budget. I noticed a considerable difference in cranking speed when I swapped to 1 gauge welding cable. V V Vroom!

The 28 MT is also a much better starter, so I think you'll be fine.

 

[diesel4me]

I've had good luck with used batteries from local salvage yards--and often find nice ones not very old--seems a lot of vehicles get totaled with nearly new batteries in them,and they sell them for about $30 with a core exchanged..

Tractor Supply had group 31 batteries for $100 last time I was there,they can be had with top posts,or a 3/8" threaded stud..
They are longer than a stock battery ,but can fit in the tray if you don't mind using a block of wood under it and using a hold down that is like a frame instead of the crappy stock pinch bolt/block setup..
Those batteries are 1000 CCA..

Interstate here has a battery store,and I heard used car dealers often buy their "unmarked" batteries,that are in a plain black case ,and cost a lot less than their "premium" batteries ,and they hold up pretty good..

 

[imiceman44]

I've had good luck with used batteries from local salvage yards--and often find nice ones not very old--seems a lot of vehicles get totaled with nearly new batteries in them,and they sell them for about $30 with a core exchanged..

Tractor Supply had group 31 batteries for $100 last time I was there,they can be had with top posts,or a 3/8" threaded stud..
They are longer than a stock battery ,but can fit in the tray if you don't mind using a block of wood under it and using a hold down that is like a frame instead of the crappy stock pinch bolt/block setup..
Those batteries are 1000 CCA..

Interstate here has a battery store,and I heard used car dealers often buy their "unmarked" batteries,that are in a plain black case ,and cost a lot less than their "premium" batteries ,and they hold up pretty good..

I have those 1000 cca batteries in my big rig, I tried putting them in and they are too big.
I don't want to change any mounting at this time, I would do it on a built truck but I am trying to keep this one all stock

 

[Big Ray]

I was going through the rig picture thread, saw yours in there from 07. Glad its running!

 

[imiceman44]

I was going through the rig picture thread, saw yours in there from 07. Glad its running!

Well now it's down again, glow plugs mushroomed

 

[Big Ray]

Doh!!

 

[max 02]

I like lots of power I got two 850 cca in my Duramax my sons Duramax and my daughters Cummins.
But California is not Alberta

 

[tRustyK5]

I was a running a pair of 1000 CCA in my '83 GMC. Same in my 81 Jimmy, with 1 gauge fine strand welding cable for battery cables. That 6.2 spun over briskly, I can assure you!

 

[campfire]

I like lots of power I got two 850 cca in my Duramax my sons Duramax and my daughters Cummins.
But California is not Alberta

I have started mine lots of times with one mediocre battery. I'm not recommending that to him, but it can work.

It depends first on how quickly your engine fires off, and second on how cold the block is. A good engine on a warm day will fire within one second. Or half a second, if the engine is warm. Don't need much battery for that. BUT...eventually you'll need extended cranking, and that's what determines how much battery you should buy. It really sucks to run out of battery while trying to bleed air out of the fuel system.

Personally, in Wisconsin, I'm going to keep good batteries in my truck.

 

[yellowK20]

I have had very good luck with Optimas on my 6.2/6.5’s

I also have the X2 batteries from Batteries plus and they are by far the best thing I have ever run in Cold weather and high load conditions.

https://www.batteriesplus.com/productdetails/sli31agmdp

Both of my Cummins trucks have X2’s in group 31

The 6.5 burb has Stock replacement sized X2’s

Smokey and Smokey Jr , and my 6.5 plow truck have yellow tops.