When you rely on heavy machinery to perform critical business tasks, equipment breakdowns are less than ideal. However, if the machine’s battery is the issue, replacing it is often an easy fix. When working with Cat® equipment, you need to know how to select the best battery for optimal performance.
In this Cat battery selection guide, we offer helpful insight into different battery types and choosing a suitable option for your specific equipment needs. At Gregory Poole Equipment Company, we offer various Cat batteries and can help you discover the right model.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Battery
Caterpillar is a leading global construction manufacturer because of its durable, long-lasting equipment. When working with these machines, you need to select genuine replacement parts to ensure optimized performance. Choosing a reliable Cat battery is crucial for the following reasons:
- Power and reliability: There’s a reason why Cat batteries perform so well. They’re powerful, reliable and compatible with Cat equipment.
- Avoiding potential issues: Using off-brand batteries may be cheaper, but they often bring many potential problems. They may be faulty, lack power or only last a short period before giving in.
- Safety: Batteries that aren’t compatible with your equipment or don’t come from a reliable source may cause your machine to malfunction, which could harm you or your operators.
- Longevity and durability: Because Cat is a reputable equipment brand with many years of experience and expertise, you can rest assured that Cat batteries are much more durable than off-brand versions.
Understanding Cat Battery Types
Before choosing the best Cat battery for you, start by understanding the different types, how they work and what they can offer you.
The following three battery types are the most commonly used for Cat equipment:
- Uninterruptible power supply batteries: These batteries, often called UPS units, provide a continuous power flow, even if there’s a power outage or change in current. Some UPS batteries take less than 5 milliseconds to switch from normal power to inverter power to ensure a constant flow of energy. This constant power supply protects sensitive battery parts and makes this type of unit ideal for industries where steady power is critical, such as in the health care world.
- Heavy-duty batteries: Heavy-duty Cat batteries can handle harsh conditions due to their high power output and vibration resistance, making them ideal for equipment used in tough environments.
- General duty batteries: If you’re looking for a standard battery for equipment that experiences light to medium impact, this type is a safe bet. It’s also generally used for everyday equipment like automotive and recreational vehicles.
Below are a few other considerations to keep in mind when choosing Cat batteries for equipment:
- Maintenance requirements: You can get batteries that are maintenance-free, low maintenance or maintenance-free accessible. These units generally have extra measures such as calcium additions, caps to monitor fluid levels and procedures to reduce heat and water loss. Thanks to these features, these batteries require little to no upkeep, making them ideal for teams with busy schedules who want to prolong their batteries’ life span.
- Wet versus dry batteries: Depending on your needs, you can also choose between wet and dry batteries. Dry batteries last longer and are easy to transport. Wet battery benefits include better performance and lower costs, although these are often viewed as hazardous materials.
How to Choose a Cat Battery
Once you have more insight into the different types of options available, choosing between different Cat batteries is much easier. Here’s what to look for in Cat batteries.
1. Equipment Compatibility
You need to look for a battery strong enough to power the equipment you want to use it for, so look at factors like size, voltage and specifications to ensure it can power your machine effectively without damaging it.
2. Power Requirements
You need a battery that can supply enough power to keep your machines running smoothly. However, you shouldn’t select one with a current that is too high, as this could overpower the equipment and damage its system.
Many equipment types list their power requirements in their manual, so it’s a good rule of thumb to look at this first before looking for replacement batteries. Another option is to look at the battery you previously used for your equipment to see its power levels and find a new battery with the same capabilities.
The more electrical add-ons your equipment uses, the more power it requires to function correctly. Also, consider the climate in which you use your equipment. Temperatures that veer into either extreme may affect the equipment’s functionality, so a stronger battery might be better suited to very warm or cold climates.
Some other factors you should keep in mind when evaluating power requirements are:
- Vibration resistance.
- Cranking power.
- Reserve capacity.
3. Battery Life and Maintenance
Other factors to consider include how long a battery will last you and how much maintenance it will require. You can get batteries specifically designed to be low maintenance, which automatically increases their longevity. Regardless, you must look into how long you can expect the battery to last.
Generally, a more premium unit will start your equipment’s engine quickly without using a lot of capacity, allowing it to preserve its energy for longer. Although these batteries may be on the pricier side, they’re often worth it because of how long they last. Remember that you can practice some maintenance tips to prolong any machinery parts, including your batteries.
4. Performance and Reliability
Choosing reliable batteries is critical to operating heavy machinery. To select a battery that satisfies your requirements, you should buy it from a reputable manufacturer.
If you’re using Cat equipment and require a compatible battery, buying your unit from a Cat dealer is the safest option. Do your research to ensure that you’re selecting a company with good reviews, and contact them ahead of time to find out about their stock availability. You can also ask others in your industry for recommendations for suggestions regarding where to buy quality replacement options.
5. Cost Considerations
Consider your budget — a new battery can be a sizable investment. You need to weigh the pros and cons of higher-end versus more affordable batteries.
With pricier options, you’re generally getting a better-quality product that lasts longer. The downside is the hefty price tag. On the other hand, cost-effective batteries are easier on your bank account, but you might have to compromise on quality and performance.
6. Availability
Even if you’ve found the perfect battery for your equipment, you must check that it’s readily available. Here are some factors that may impact your ability to secure the right option:
- Demand: If you’re looking for a very rare battery that only a few people are after, you might have some trouble finding a supplier that carries stock, especially if it’s a specialized battery rather than a commonly used one.
- Popularity: While searching for a less widespread model may pose some struggles, so can wanting a very popular option. If the battery you’re looking for is in high demand, it might sell out quickly, leaving you to wait for its arrival.
- Supplier: Some suppliers may only carry specific battery models or work on a basis where they order stock as needed and thus don’t have a regular supply.
- Urgency: If your chosen supplier only carries a limited number of batteries, you may need to wait for them to get new options. In some cases, this may be fine, but if you urgently need a battery, you may need to look for a supplier that can immediately assist you.
- Battery model: You might want to replace your old battery with a new one that’s the same, but if the model is too old and isn’t manufactured anymore, you need to reevaluate your options.
5 Tips for Purchasing Cat Batteries
If you’re in the market for Cat batteries, you’re likely looking for the best deal possible, both in terms of cost and value. When shopping for a battery, keep the following tips in mind.
1. Look for a Higher CCA
Cold cranking amps (CCA) refer to a battery’s starting power. The higher your CCA is, the faster the equipment’s engine will start.
That’s not the only benefit a higher CCA offers, though. Batteries with higher CCA ratings last longer because they use less capacity to get the engine started. This reserved energy means that the battery can remain charged for longer thanks to fewer charging cycles.
2. Consult Your Equipment Manual
You must ensure that you take measures to install all batteries correctly and practice proper maintenance. If you don’t, you could damage the battery or equipment. You or your employees can also get injured if you don’t follow the steps laid out in the manual when installing batteries or using equipment. With more than 700 workers dying due to contact with equipment in 2022, you need to take all the steps you can to keep you and your employees safe.
Manuals are there to help you with all machine-related problems and queries, including finding a battery. Your equipment’s manual likely has extensive information on exactly what battery it requires, which can help you ensure that you find the right choice.
3. Look for the Terminal Location
If the battery’s post or terminal is located on the side, there’s a lower chance of corrosion. These types of batteries generally require less frequent cleaning.
However, batteries with posts on their top side allow easier access, which means you can work on cables and jump-start the equipment with less hassle due to the increased space. Consider your needs and which post spot will work best so that you can find a battery that aligns with those requirements.
4. Choose Genuine Cat Batteries
Cat equipment requires genuine Cat batteries. While some people will try to convince you that other brands of batteries will work just as well, this isn’t true. Even if you find an off-brand battery that does work, it likely won’t work for long, and it could end up harming your equipment during the time that you use it.
As tempting as it may be to opt for cheaper knockoff batteries, it’s not worth it. With Cat batteries, you’re paying for the quality you get. Non-legitimate batteries may save you some money in the short run, but the repairs to damage and constant replacements that they cause will cost you more in the long term than a genuine model.
5. Get Information From the Supplier
Knowing how to select the best Cat battery means asking your supplier various questions before purchasing. A quick conversation can help you ensure you know what to expect and are making the right choice for your business needs.
Some things you should discuss before buying a Cat battery include:
- Financing options: If money’s a bit tight and you can’t afford to pay cash for a battery — as is often the case when you unexpectedly need to replace one — you may want to look into financing options so that you can get the battery you need immediately and pay it off over time. Talk to the company about what financing options they have available.
- Warranties: Even if you buy a good battery from a reliable company, it may break. In case it does, you may want to ensure that you have a warranty that covers repairs or replacements. When evaluating battery options, be sure to ask the dealer how long the warranty is and what it covers.
- Professional installation: Installing a Cat battery requires some technical skill, so if you’re hesitant about doing it yourself, ask the supplier whether they offer professional installation services.
- Ongoing service: Buying a battery is only the first step. You also need to ensure that you implement continual maintenance. If you don’t have the time or knowledge to do a battery service yourself, enquire whether the seller includes this service after you purchase a unit from them.
Contact Gregory Poole Equipment Company for Your Battery Needs
When buying a battery for your Cat equipment, you must use a reputable company with quality products and expert service. Gregory Poole has over 70 years of experience supplying clients with Cat equipment, which means we know what you need and can help you get the best Cat batteries for construction.
Our expert sales and product support teams are here to help you every step of the way. Find a Gregory Poole near you, and rest assured we will do everything we can to help you find the right Cat battery for your equipment.
If you’re ready to take the next step and invest in a battery that meets your needs, or you want more information, contact us to find out how we can assist.