MK5 Golf GTI
All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Technical Workshop => Topic started by: golfman on February 04, 2012, 06:18:50 pm
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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 :happy2:
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i cant see that causing a problem at all scott
all u need is an alternator wiv heavier amperage output and battery
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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..?
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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'?
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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! :nerd:
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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. :wink:
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.
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Most TDI and TFSI already have a 140 A generator. These are proper sized.
Didn't I say that earlier? :P
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. :wink:
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!
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Didn't I say that earlier? :P
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. :wink:.
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 !!
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And yes, don't listen radio without engine running - at least not in the winter !!
Unless you have a second battery in the boot :P
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Here is my battery!!!!
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fo45%2Fscotty-boy_2006%2F034e2a8f.jpg&hash=658478e51944c373b477822b5f3a394163cbb6db)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fo45%2Fscotty-boy_2006%2Fbe624dd5.jpg&hash=38f315269bb16fd40ec2994885c92dcca896da8f)
scott :happy2:
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That's been my stock battery:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.golf5gti.com%2Fupload%2Favatars%2Futool_f_1328458650_3041.jpg&hash=380ece379a6933f23d0b099157dbef9fb21b079e)
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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 :happy2:
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your mods are only going to drain the battery when the engine is not running
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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.
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Here is my battery!!!!
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fo45%2Fscotty-boy_2006%2F034e2a8f.jpg&hash=658478e51944c373b477822b5f3a394163cbb6db)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fo45%2Fscotty-boy_2006%2Fbe624dd5.jpg&hash=38f315269bb16fd40ec2994885c92dcca896da8f)
scott :happy2:
That is the good one - 640A SAE Cold Cranking Amps ! :happy2: :happy2:
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That's been my stock battery:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.golf5gti.com%2Fupload%2Favatars%2Futool_f_1328458650_3041.jpg&hash=380ece379a6933f23d0b099157dbef9fb21b079e)
And that is the cheap-skate one :sick: - 570A SAE Cold Cranking Amps - and the '1J0' gives away another clue - that was for the Mk4 Golf - which didn't have the power-hungry electric power steering as used on our Mk5s.
That was the type originally fitted to mine, which caused all kinds of grief. Replaced with the other 640A SAE CCA (72Ah) version, and it is million times better. :wink:
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I know, I know, TT . . .
It's more than enough for 4-pot gasoline engine though.
This engine even starts at freezing temp with a small 15 Ah Deka AGM
which has lower cranking amps.