Cranking Amps & Cold Cranking Amps

Cranking Amps & Cold Cranking Amps

CA or Cranking Amps A rather optimistic market driven rating, especially for "economy" or "value priced" batteries.

The same as CCA, but at at 32 degrees F (0 C) temperature. The standard BCI rating is CCA, at 0 degrees F (about -18 C). The MCA, or Marine Cranking Amps is basically the same as CA.

CCA is about 20% less than CA or MCA.

CCA or Cold Cranking Amps
The maximum amperes that can be continuously removed from a battery for 30 seconds at zero degrees F before it's voltage drops too low to use (1.2 volts per cell, or 7.2 volts). This term is used only for engine starting batteries, and has little to do with the amp-hour capacity or deep cycle batteries. This rating will also appear on many deep cycle marine batteries. See also CA and MCA. Cranking Amps & Cold Cranking Amps