I need sound battery advice (non-valk related)

[Valkjerk]

Hey y'all, I own a Ingersol-Rand air compressor. A big diesel one.....a 375 cfm. It's time for a new battery but I'm wondering if I need to keep going back with that huge battery that came in it. I don't know if that's called a deep cycle battery or whatever. Can I replace it with a car-type battery with enough cranking amps? Do they make such a battery and will it work? Due to my age and infirmness, it has become more difficult to lift that battery and install it into the compressor. You guys are a wealth of info and I'd appreciate your input.

[Crackerborn]

I am surprised you don't have 2 batteries in a diesel. Most require lots of cold cranking amps. See if you can connect two smaller batteries in parallel to get the same results as the one big guy. IR should be able to tell you what specs you need.

[3W-lonerider]

a car battery is not going to cut it. mainly because your not just cranking the engine your also bucking up against the air compressor. the rental company I work for owns a lot of these air compressors and ones a lot bigger.
I know that battery is heavy. but it's not only the cranking amps you need to look at. it's also the cranking time. putting a car battery into that compressor would be like trying to start your valk with 2 of those old 6 volt square flashlight batteries wired in series.

[Valkjerk]

Thanks guys for your input. I guess I'll have to find some help with the new battery. Wutcha doin' Monday, Trout Dude?

[Challenger]

As an Ag and Industrial Diesel Tech and can tell you that an engine does not know how many batteries are hooked to it,  As long as the CCA and Amp Hour rating is the same or higher, you can use one, two, or however many you want to equal  the original spec, Some of our diesel tractors come with one large 1100 CCA battery. The same engine and starter in a different tractor comes with two 550 CCA batteries. We have swapped many over to two 650 CCA in parallel and have never had a problem.  PM me with your specs or questions if you want.

[Patrick]

I agree with paralleling 2 batteries if you have the room. It may be cheaper too.

[Valkjerk]

Thanks Challenger and Patrick, I'll have to make sure there is enough room under the hood to fit two batteries and the additional cables. I was hoping I could find a car sized battery that would turn over this engine but I will look into Challenger's two 650 cca batteries, thanks. 

[Patrick]

Just make to parallel them, + to + and - to - ,  don't you series them, + to -  you'll end up with 24 v.