They must be able to power various electric and electronic devices and when the main engine must be started, they must be able to provide large currents in order to start large, often multiple gasoline or even diesel engines even when not fully charged. Such requirements significantly reduce the number of potential 1000 CCA marine, automotive, and industrial battery models.
Updated: November 27, 2021.
What are CCA, CA, MCA, and HCA?
CCA (Cold Cranking Amps), CA (Cranking Amps) or MCA (Marine Cranking Amps), and HCA (Hot Cranking Amps) define the maximum current that a battery is able to provide under certain conditions:
- CCA (Cold Cranking Amps): the maximum current that a new, fully charged, 12V battery can deliver for 30 seconds, with the voltage NOT dropping below 7.2V, at 0°F (-18°C).
- CA (Cranking Amps) or MCA (Marine Cranking Amps): the maximum current that a new, fully charged, 12V battery can deliver for 30 seconds, with the voltage NOT dropping below 7.2V at 32°F (0°C).
- HCA (Hot Cranking Amps): the maximum current that a new, fully charged, 12V battery can deliver for 30 seconds, with the voltage NOT dropping below 7.2V, at 80°F (27°C).
If you are looking for a lead-acid battery that has only the CCA rating, and you want to know its MCA or HCA value, it is good to know that CCA, CA/MCA, and HCA are approximately related:
CCA = HCA X 0.60 = MCA x 0.80
HCA = CCA x 1.66 = MCA x 1.33
MCA = CCA x 1.25 = HCA x 0.75
Note: we emphasize 'approximately'! Just to be sure, always check official specifications. Also, note that these values are given for both NEW and FULLY CHARGED battery - not the battery that has seen 1-2 summer/winter seasons and has powered, for example, the fridge all night long in an RV or a boat or ...
For more details and explanations about these values, please check our Battery Terms and Abbreviations - Glossary article.
The following table lists the most popular AGM car, truck, RV, and marine 1000 CCA/MCA/HCA batteries, with their most important features:
Note: Amazon affiliate links in the table open in the new windows, feel free to check them for the latest offers.
Some manufacturers also state so-called PHCA values for their batteries. PHCA stands for 'Pulse Hot Cranking Amps' and is the maximum safe current that a battery can provide for 3 seconds, at 80°F (27°C).
PHCA value is approximately 2-2.5x larger than CCA for most AGM and other lead-acid batteries - this explains why starting batteries and even some dual-purpose batteries in the 50-70 Ah range can easily start gasoline and even diesel engines requiring 1000 CCA batteries. But, as soon as the temperatures drop, those batteries become rather unreliable when they are required to start larger engines.
However, to avoid unpleasant situations (to say the least), go for more powerful batteries with a reserve in capacity and CCA - better safe than sorry - as long as the alternators may recharge them properly.
Note on lithium batteries: Lithium batteries offer great savings in weight and although they are initially more expensive, they tolerate a far greater number of charging/discharging cycles than lead-acid batteries and are thus in the long run, cheaper.
Since lithium batteries are sensitive to various charging and discharging conditions, they come with protective electronics, especially lithium 'drop-in' lead-acid battery replacements. However, such batteries often have limited output currents, and lithium batteries with CCA currents in the 1000 Amps range are rare and expensive.
For example:
- Battle Born 100 Ah LiFePO4 12 Volt Deep Cycle Battery is designed as a 'drop-in' replacement for AGM SLA batteries. Its nominal capacity is 100 Ah and is able to provide 100 Amps continuously. Also, it can provide 200 Amps for 30 seconds.
This is an excellent and lightweight deep cycle battery, great as an RV house or trolling motor battery, but not very good as starting battery.
For more details, check Battle Born 100 Ah LiFePO4 12 volt Deep Cycle Battery Amazon link (link opens in the new window).
- ProLED 65D23L is automotive replacement LiFePO4 battery. Its nominal capacity is 65 Ah and it features the required 1200 CCA rating. Also, there are some models of similar batteries with a built-in jump starter, allowing these batteries to be used as starting batteries for much larger engines - 2000+ CCAs.
But, such performances come with the price - literary. However, such batteries can withstand at least 2000 cycles and in the long run, they are not that expensive. On a contrary.
For more details, check ProLED 65D23L 65Ah 1200 CCA LiFePO4 Battery Amazon link (link opens in the new window).
Personally, AGM batteries are tested and proven technology and my personal choice for 1000 CCA marine batteries - that is the reason why there are no lithium batteries or lead-acid wet cell batteries on the list.
Starting vs. Dual Purpose vs. Deep Cycle AGM Batteries
Starting or cranking batteries are designed for providing large currents for short periods of time and as such are not good for deep cycle operations. In fact, when being drained regularly down to 20-30% of their capacity, their operating life can be shortened significantly.
However, 50-70 Ah starting batteries, for example, BCI Group 34 Batteries, often have CCA values in the 800-1000 range and they are much lighter than dual-purpose or deep cycle AGM batteries with similar CCA values. However, their RC values are low, but after all these batteries are not even designed for such use.
Dual-purpose batteries are designed to be used as both deep cycle batteries and as starting batteries. Obviously, as starting batteries they are not as good as specialized starting batteries, and as deep cycle batteries, they are not as good as deep cycle batteries. However, for boats, yachts, cars, trucks, RVs, etc. applications featuring a single battery (or battery pack) electric system, dual-purpose batteries are recommended choices.
Good 75-100 Ah dual-purpose batteries can provide 800-1000 CCAs, while 100-125 Ah dual batteries often can easily provide the required 1000 CCAs.
Deep cycle batteries are designed for regular deep discharge operations and as starting batteries they are not as good as dual-purpose batteries. When compared with specialized starting batteries, their starting performances are really something left to desire. But, after all, that is not what they are designed for.
Deep cycle batteries with capacities of 200 Ah or more are generally able to provide the required 1000 CCAs.
For short:
- Starting batteries in the 60-70 Ah range can provide 1000 CCAs, while 50-60 Ah batteries can provide ~800 CCAs,
- Dual-purpose batteries in the 100-125 Ah range can provide 1000 CCAs, while 75-100 Ah batteries can provide 800-1000 CCAs,
- Deep cycle batteries with a capacity of 200 Ah or more can provide 1000 CCAs.
Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST-M - The Best 1000 CCA Marine Battery
With many very good batteries on the market, choosing the best 1000 CCA marine battery was actually an easier task than we thought it would be.
Few batteries come close to being the best:
- ACDelco 49AGM is a 95 Ah battery with a 900 CCA rating and a 160 RC rating. It is dual purpose battery, with excellent reviews, but it is not quite a 1000 CCA marine battery.
- Exide XMC-31 is a 100 Ah battery with a 925 CCA rating and an excellent 200 RC rating. It is often considered a deep cycle battery, but it is also an excellent dual-purpose battery. Again, it is not true 1000 CCA marine battery, but IMHO, it is the second-best battery on the list. However, it is not always available on Amazon.
- Odyssey PC1800-FT is a large 214 Ah deep cycle battery. Its CCA rating is 1300 and the RC value is impressive 475 minutes. Also, it is a very heavy battery. It should be used as a deep cycle battery or as a dual-purpose battery in applications requiring a strong starting battery and extra-large capacity for off-the-grid applications.
- Odyssey PC2250 is a 126 Ah battery with a 1225 CCA rating and 240 RC value. It is a heavy-duty battery designed to withstand almost anything one can request from an AGM battery. However, it is also a slightly heavier battery (it is almost 20 pounds heavier than the Exide XMC-31 battery) and it comes with a nice price tag. Personally, the third-best battery on the list.
- Vmaxtanks VMAX MR197, XTR4D-200, and XTR8D-350 are large deep cycle marine batteries with capacities of 200 Ah, 200 Ah, and 350 Ah, CCA ratings 1120, 1250, and 1700(!) Amps and RC ratings 450, 470, and 780(!) minutes, respectively.
All three batteries can be used as 1000+ CCA marine starting batteries, but they are designed to be used as deep cycle batteries.
In our opinion, Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST-M is the best 1000 CCA marine battery. It is not the strongest battery in terms of CCAs, it doesn't have the best RC value and certainly, it doesn't have the largest capacity. But, it is the best-balanced design, offering 1150 CCAs and 205 RC (minutes), from a 100 Ah (20h) SLA AGM battery.
NorthStar NSB-AGM31M battery has even better electrical characteristics than the Odyssey 31M-PC2150 battery. But due to better extra cold performances of the Odyssey 31M-PC2150 battery, the Author's pick is the Odyssey 31M-PC2150 battery.
Note: Both batteries are excellent batteries and it is really hard to pick among these two models. For more about them, check our Odyssey 31M-PC2150 AGM Marine Dual Purpose Battery and Group 31 Batteries - Dimensions, Features and Recommendations articles.
Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST-M is not a cheap battery, but what you pay is what you get - a strong, reliable, and vibration resistant battery that tolerate up to 400 discharging cycles down to 20% discharge, can be fully recharged in 4-6 hours, comes with limited 3 and 4-year warranty and have a service life of 3-10 years, depending on the use.
For more reviews and recommendations, check Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST-M Dual Purpose Battery and NorthStar NSB-AGM31M Battery Amazon links (links open in the new windows).
1000 CCA Batteries Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some of the most popular Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about large and strong starting batteries and their use:
What CCA means in battery?
CCA or Cold Cranking Amps is the maximum current that a new, fully charged, 12V battery can deliver for 30 seconds, with the voltage NOT dropping below 7.2V, at 0°F (-18°C).
Since the lead-acid battery's ability to provide current increases with the increase in temperature, the CCA value indicates if the battery is a good enough performer for certain applications - if it is good at 0°F (-18°C), it will be good on higher temperatures as well.
If the temperature drops even further, the battery performance also decreases.
Is a higher CCA battery better?
Higher CCA means that the battery is able to provide more cranking/starting Amps - when two batteries with different CCAs are used for the same application, generally, the battery with the higher CCA is less stressed each time the engine is started.
How many amp-hours are in a 1000 CCA battery?
Amp-hours is a measure of capacity, while CCA is a measure of the battery's ability to provide starting/cranking current.
Nonetheless, generally speaking, starting batteries in the 60-70 Ah range can provide 1000 CCAs, while 50-60 Ah batteries can provide ~800 CCAs, dual-purpose batteries in the 100-125 Ah range can provide 1000 CCAs, while 75-100 Ah batteries can provide 800-1000 CCAs, and deep cycle batteries with a capacity of 200 Ah or more can provide 1000 CCAs.
For exact values and to be absolutely sure, one must check the performance data of the battery in question.
What is the highest CCA battery?
There is no such thing as the "highest CCA battery" - people having the need to crank large diesel engines in heavy trucks in extreme cold create battery packs (12V, 24V, 36V, etc.) using several exactly the same batteries (same model from the same manufacturer, preferably from the same batch), or they use super-capacitors (or ultra-capacitors) designed as starting battery drop-in replacements - Engine Starting Modules (ESMs).
Generally, Engine Starting Modules feature common ground, one very thick cable connected directly to the engine starter, and one thick cable intended for ESM charging.
Note: this is a very simplified description of the ESM. Personally, ESMs are great, but for example, three Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST-M or NorthStar NSB-AGM31M connected in parallel feature 3450 CCA - if You are unsure about the ESMs, go for tried and tested AGM batteries.
How many cranking amps do I need?
This depends on the engine type (gas, diesel) and size (given in cubic inches or centimeters).
The best thing to do is to check the documentation of the vehicle, boat, or engine itself and check the battery requirements.
Is having more cold-cranking amps better?
Generally speaking, having more CCA is better as long as that doesn't mean having a heavier and bulkier battery that requires more charging Amps, which may overload the charging system (commonly an alternator with the charging controller).
What is an amp hour on a 12-volt battery?
Amp Hour (Ah) is the measure of capacity describing how many Amps (A) the battery can provide for 20 hours before the voltage drops below a certain level (drop-off or cut-off voltage), which is usually 10.5 volts for 12V lead-acid batteries.
What car battery has the most cold-cranking amps?
There is no such thing as the "car battery with the most CCA" - batteries differ in size, chemistry, and type.
However, BCI Group 31 batteries are generally the largest mid-range batteries that can be commonly found in road vehicles and smaller marine vessels.
Larger battery groups, for example, 4D and 8D can be found in large trucks and even yachts, while passenger cars usually come with groups 24, 34, 47, 51R, 65, 78, 94R, H5, H6, H7, etc.
How many amp-hours are in a 600 CCA battery?
Again, Amp-hours is a measure of capacity, while CCA is a measure of the battery's ability to provide starting/cranking current.
Batteries with 600 CCA may have different capacities and may belong to the various BCI battery groups and may feature different chemistry.
For example, BCI group 35 batteries feature capacity in the 40-65 Ah range and have CCA values in the 620-900 Amps range, while BCI group 26 lead-acid batteries feature ~50 Ah capacity and CCA values in the 500-600 Amps range.
How do you convert amp-hours to CCA?
Capacity given in the Amp-Hours (Ah) cannot be directly converted into the CCAs.
This must be checked for each battery individually in order to get accurate information.
Is it bad to have too many CCAs on a battery?
If the battery is compatible with the rest of the electric system, mostly with the battery charging subsystem, then having the battery with higher CCA is not bad.
What happens if you put a higher CCA battery? Will a higher CCA battery damage my car?
If the battery with the higher CCA is used, the engine will start better - batteries with higher CCA have smaller internal resistance.
However, the batteries with higher CCA may require stronger charging currents which may overload the alternator and the charge controller.
Generally speaking, if the new battery is somewhat larger than the older battery, let's say 10-20%, then in most situations, there are no issues with the rest of the electric system.
But, if the new battery is 2-3 times larger than the older battery, the alternator and charge controller will be regularly overloaded whenever the engine is started after longer periods of time - will that damage the alternator/charge controller, it is hard to say.
It is also questionable if the alternator/charge controller are able to recharge such battery completely, leading the user to an absurd situation - a new, larger battery may last less than the older, smaller battery.
Long Story Short: 1000 CCA batteries (or battery packs) are able to provide huge currents and should be treated with the utmost respect.
Note: Amazon affiliate links in the table open in the new windows, feel free to check them for the latest offers.
Going cheap with starting/cranking batteries also increases the danger of getting stranded sooner or later, especially during extremely cold or warm weather.
And whatever You do, stay safe.