1997 850 n/a - Battery size 48 vs 47

[xHeart]

I recently replaced the air cleaner box bracket. All is well, but one of the hose is rubbing against the + post of battery terminal, which frequently knocks the terminal cover off from the post. It feels too tight.

A photo from the bracket replacement. Air cleaner box is removed. The battery post and the hose proximity.

MVS_3930.jpg (441.46 KiB) Viewed 6493 times

Recently, a photo on another thread showed a proportionally smaller battery next to the air cleaner box. So I looked at mine again, and found that the battery is inch taller and inch longer (approx). It is size 48, hence, I ask:
- should it be replaced with smaller size 47 (recommended)?
- do bigger battery negatively effect the normal engine/electrical functions?
- others

Thanks.

[BEJinFbk]

To overuse the water analogy:
A bigger battery is like a bigger water tank.
You're just storing more and having more power
in reserve. In short, no problem - In fact BETTER.

For comparison, here's the stock battery in my '98 R:

98 V70R stock battery.jpg (147.35 KiB) Viewed 6489 times

[xHeart]

Your setup appears very close to what i have. Do you have issues with terminal cover popping out? How do you keep it in place? Is my DURACL 348116 48 H6 bit tall you think?

[jblackburn]

The terminal covers are nice I guess but you don't REALLY need them.

Group 48 batteries will give you more cold cranking power and are an "upgrade" a lot of people do to these cars in colder climates.

I think the 590 cranking amps is sufficient here where mornings are usually in the teens-20s. My dad put a 590 in his Accord (what the v6 versions use) because the stock battery size is PATHETIC in the mornings, sometimes taking 2-3 tries to get it going.

[BEJinFbk]

Your setup appears very close to what i have. Do you have issues with terminal cover popping out? How do you keep it in place? Is my DURACL 348116 48 H6 bit tall you think?

I don't know about your battery, but the stock battery has two
holes that the hinge for the cover pins into. Works just fine.

[rspi]

I have never seen those covers before.

[jblackburn]

Right side of that is what he's talking about. Just a little plastic cap over the terminals.

[db130]

i think most group 47 and group 48 batteries should have 2 holes for the prongs of the battery terminal cover

[xHeart]

For comparison, here's the stock battery in my '98 R:

98 V70R stock battery.jpg

... and these do have two holes for the prongs. The 48s are very close and similar in size and placement as the picture shows (source: BEJ in Fairbanks).

Without the terminal cover, is the rubber hose a fire hazard?

[jblackburn]

Definitely not.

Most are normally like this anyway.