Battery

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Introduction

The purpose of this article is to give insight about issues and solutions regarding battery usage in Jimnys.

Standard battery in petrol Jimny 3

• The standard battery type, as fitted to all petrol versions of the Jimny 3 from 1998 to 2018 is an 054 (British sizing standard).
• The dimensions are 196L x 127W x 227H.
  • Some other sources claim the length of 054 batteries to be 187 mm.
    • In general case anyway, there is certainly at least +-5 mm tolerance in sizing when dealing with car batteries.
• The terminals are the relatively small Japanese (JIS) post type with the positive (+) terminal to the right of the negative (-) as you hold the battery with the terminals closest to you.
  • See the picture of the terminal layout further below in the article.
• The British sizing 054 is a common battery type used on many small Japanese and Korean cars.
• It is readily available from car battery suppliers and typically inexpensive.

• The performance of batteries varies between manufacturers.
• Typically the lowest performing 054 batteries have a capacity of 30 Ah and CCA EN rating of around 260 A.
• This adequately meets the standard electrical load requirements for the Jimny in a "normal climate".
• There are higher performing batteries of this size, up to approx. 45 Ah and approx. CCA EN rating of 400 A.
  • Higher performing batteries are even officially recommended by Suzuki (in the owner's manual) for "cold climates".

Battery terminal layouts

Positioning layouts of battery terminals on suitable battery types for Jimny 3

• The layout shows the terminal positioning of both 054 batteries (discussed earlier in the article) and 155 batteries (discussed later in the article).
• Note that the positioning of the terminals in 155 type batteries is inverse when compared to 054 batteries.
• This means that a 155 type battery has to be installed in an "inverse" position in the engine bay (in relation to how a 054 battery would be installed) in order for the cables to reach the battery terminals.
• Being in an "inverse" position in the engine bay is not a problem and the cables still can reach the battery terminals.

Standard battery in diesel (DDiS) Jimny 3

• Diesel (DDiS) Jimnys 3 use much larger and more powerful battery as standard.
• The size of factory battery in DDiS Jimnys 3 is approx 225L x 175W x 220H.
• Capacity in this size ranges at 60-80 Ah, and CCA rating at approx. 550-750 A.
  • The colder the climate, the more powerful battery should be used.
• This kind of battery should provide sufficient power of high power loads like winching.
  • Note that there is no space in the engine bay of DDiS Jimnys 3 for an additional battery.

Standard battery in Jimny 4

Info needed...

Solutions for higher battery requirements in Jimnys

• In situations where higher electrical output may be regularly required, much higher spec or larger batteries should be considered.
• Bear in mind that larger capacity and / or CCA rating generally implies a heavier battery.
• Examples of requirements for higher electrical output:
  1. Sustained winching;
  2. In-cabin dash camera(s) with parking recording functionality, where the vehicle is driven relatively rarely (days between runs);
  3. Remote "motorhome"-style camping in the wilderness;

Solutions in petrol Jimny 3

• In petrol Jimny 3, the standard battery tray in the engine bay can accommodate a slightly larger battery.
  • Batteries with dimensions of 236L x 127W x 227H (British sizing code 155) have been used in Jimnys 3 without any fitment issues.
    • Such batteries usually have capacity in the range of 45-55 Ah and CCA EN rating 330-500 A.
  • The terminals are the relatively small Japanese (JIS) post type with the positive (+) terminal to the left of the negative (-) as you hold the battery with the terminals closest to you.
    • See the picture of the terminal layout earlier above in the article.
• Aftermarket battery trays that mount in the nearside of the engine bay offer the ability to fit a single large battery or to run a twin battery system (two batteries in the engine bay).
  • There is an interesting forum topic 1 in an external forum in South African Republic.

Solutions in petrol Jimny 4

Info needed ...

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Page last edited on 29/07/2022 by user Bosanek