H7 battery install in a Volvo 850 N.A.

Post by **Bragg Creek** » 09 Feb 2021, 10:29

In celebration of minus 33 C this morning I now need a new battery. I previously installed a H6 battery which I think correspondences to a group 48 size which fit just fine. I was wondering if a H7 batterry (group 94) would fit in the battery tray of a 1996 Volvo 850 N.A.? The h7 measures approximately 12.5 inches in lenght; all other dimensions are the same as a H6 battery. Normally I would go outside and measure to see but it is way beyond my desire to fiddle about in these temperatures. Perhaps a kind soul from a warmer clim will provide me with some info....Chris

Post by **scot850** » 09 Feb 2021, 10:44

Is your car parked outside or inside? Do you have a block heater?

One of the issues I have found is that lots of short runs in these temperatures with all electrics running drains the battery more than it can re-charge.

I would have suggested using a trickle charger but they typically won't work in these cold temps outside.

As to the longer length the limit is obviously the length of the battery tray and the ability to be able to lock in the battery hold down clamp. The other consideration is how the battery fits in the tray. You need to be able to tilt it backward to get under the back lip on the tray and then slide to the right toward the LH fender to get it under the lip there. If the battery is too long you won't be able to do this.

What brand of battery do you currently have and how old is it? What are the CCA of the battery?

Finally, another option is to buy a battery heater. I'm not sure if Princess Auto still sell them but they used to. Canadian Tire may too. These work like a block heater and keep the battery toasty.

I use an Interstate from Auto Value with 730CCA. Interstate supplies Volvo with batteries in Canada but with lower CCA around 620 if I recall.

Hope this helps.

Neil.

Post by **Bragg Creek** » 09 Feb 2021, 11:08

Thanks for your quick reply Neil. I have the garage filled with Westfalias so the Volvos live outside. I don't use block heaters as we live off the grid and power is at a premium this time of the year. The current batteries have a CCA of 730 but the H7 is rated at 790 CCA. My pretzel logic tells me I have a slightly better chance with the higher CCA rating and if I can avoid jump starting in these temperatures it will be worth upgrading.

I do take your point about sliding the battey in place but my memory tells me that the positive cable is tied to the left side of the tray. It might cause an issue trying to seat the longer battery in place. I guess I can remove the positive cable tie down but trying not too make many alterations. I replaced all of the Volvo batteries at the same time in October of 2019.

Unfortunately Canadian Tire was out of stock at the time that I went battery procuring so I resorted to Walmart batteries and I guess you get what you pay for...

Post by **abscate** » 09 Feb 2021, 11:35

In extreme temps like you guys are having it might even make sense to bring the battery in for the night.
I keep one of my boat batteries in the warm garage for jump starts

Post by **Bragg Creek** » 09 Feb 2021, 11:50

A good battery should be functional down to minus 45. At those temperatures we are going to stay home anyway. I have a 3500amp battery bank in the house that I can use to jump start any 12 volt auto. I do remember my father taking out the battery of the old station wagon and placing it in a slightly warmed oven but my mother probably disappoved of such practices!
I do have a couple of lithium battery jump starters that are amazing. My point is that I would like to keep extra processes out of starting Volvo at 6 a.m. For reference one of my other 850s started after two tries this morning. It has a newer battery that was replaced under warranty in December so if I am going to replace a battery I want the most CCA that will fit in the existing battery tray.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 09 Feb 2021, 12:04

If you’re just storing the VW’s and driving the Volvo,
might I suggest, put on of the Vdubs outside and give
that 850 the heated parking that it deserves!

Post by **abscate** » 09 Feb 2021, 12:09

Nice Westie fleet, too!

My VW collection is down to a T4 and some vintage Beetles

-45 is really cold, I think it’s a bit too cold to ask any car to start and run “ normally”

Thin winter oil
Warm battery
Even a shot of ether

Will help

Post by **abscate** » 09 Feb 2021, 12:16

Chris. I have a spare battery tray I can send you to butcher and adapt if you want to try that

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 09 Feb 2021, 13:13

abscate wrote: ↑09 Feb 2021, 12:09 Nice Westie fleet, too!

My VW collection is down to a T4 and some vintage Beetles

-45 is really cold, I think it’s a bit too cold to ask any car to start and run “ normally”

Thin winter oil
Warm battery
Even a shot of ether

Will help

I spent a few winters parking my ‘98 outside. FUN!
I always had it plugged on, including a maintenance
charger and just let it warm up for a loooooong time.
The house outlet is on a timer and a few hours usually
does it. Once I’m at work, it’s on life support all day.
I figure I pull about 600 watts between the Volvo block
heater, oil pan and trans pads and the charger. Even at
24 cents a kilowatt hour, TOTALLY worth it.

That and upgrading to a higher temp thermostat.

Post by **scot850** » 09 Feb 2021, 14:26

I think the point our friend to my west in Bragg Creek is making is he is 'off-grid' for power so in cold weather and overcast power is a premium to must haves. The block heaters are what, about 500W or less? Can't recall what the Volvo ones are. How much of your power stock does running a block heater take for say 2 hours?

Using a good quality synthetic oil also helps so this time of year a 5/30 weight oil is specified by Volvo. I run 5/40 in my 00 V70R as specified for that era of engine. My older P80s (V70XC and 850 NA) were all run on 5/30 in winter with Castrol Edge or likes synthetic.

Neil.