Battery for Kalina: which one is better to choose and how to charge it

To start the engine, it must rotate intensively. It is carried out using a starter, which is powered by a battery. It is she who transmits to him the necessary electricity to start the engine. The battery is the source of power supply for all elements of the car, so the battery is the most important component, without which it is impossible to operate the car.

Characteristics of the standard Kalina battery

The manufacturer installs a domestically produced Akom brand battery under the hood of the Lada Kalina. Owners of Kalina, Kalina 2, Grants, Priora and other AvtoVAZ models who bought their cars with this power source complain about its poor quality. There have been cases when batteries were replaced after just a couple of months under warranty.

The nominal capacity of the Akom battery is 55 A/h, and the starting current is 425 Amperes. These are the minimum acceptable values, and using a battery with lower characteristics is not advisable.

The standard battery is the most common, lead type, filled with acid. The temperature range allowing normal use is from +45°C to -40°C.

What points should you pay attention to?

Note that, due to its fixed overall parameters and weight, the battery for the Lada Kalina is not a bulky or heavy device. This aspect should warn the owner so that he does not choose the product at random, but is guided by the characteristics.

A powerful LADA Kalina battery is also useless, because it will entail additional expenses during the purchase. A unit with standard characteristics will be a completely worthy replacement for a worn-out device.

The only time when you should consider purchasing a more powerful battery is the owner’s desire to integrate many non-standard electronic devices into the on-board network. In general, when considering “candidates” for purchase, we recommend avoiding extremes - purchasing a battery with both a minimum power value and a unit with a peak current value.

So, we have determined that we are selecting an option with optimal power. For example, a battery with a rating of 65 A*h. With this parameter, the battery will confidently cope with cold engine starts even in difficult climatic conditions.

Also a very important parameter of the battery is the magnitude of the starting current. Considering the option for LADA Kalina, we note that the value of the indicated parameter should be equal to 425 Amperes. By adhering to this recommendation, the owner will ensure long-term and reliable operation of the new battery.

Let's pay attention to the electrolyte and electrode group that manufacturers use to produce batteries. For LADA Kalina, the best choice would be to purchase a lead-acid battery

When is it time to change the battery and why?

Owners of Lada Kalina are well aware that replacing the battery is necessary after three to four years of active use. It all depends on various factors, for example, on the quality of the battery, on the energy consumption of the vehicle’s on-board network. But not everyone knows by what signs one can determine that it is time to think about a new battery for the Lada Kalina, because the specified period is determined conditionally. For this reason, everyone should understand when to change the battery to avoid problems associated with the inability to start the engine. Among the main signs indicating the need to replace the battery:

The engine starts with difficulty not only in winter, but also in summer. This means that the power supply cannot hold a charge.
The indicator lamp for the need to charge the battery lights up on the instrument panel. The on-board computer, if available, can also signal this.
After a long trip (more than 15 km), a measurement with a multimeter shows insufficient charge. The device must be fully charged from the generator, if the latter is working.
Once fully charged, the density measurement shows less than 1:25 Gm/cm. You can try to level the indicator with a corrective electrolyte; if this does not help, it is better to replace the battery.
The electrolyte has darkened. This occurs due to the destruction of the lead plates. The use of such a battery is prohibited as it may cause an explosion.
If the battery emits an unpleasant smell of putrefactive decomposition.
You can turn on the radio for an hour with the engine off. If after this the engine starts with difficulty, this means that the battery is draining too quickly and it’s time to change it.
If the battery lasts more than four years, then it's time to buy a new one.

If any of these symptoms occur, you may need to purchase a new power supply for your vehicle soon.

In some cases, you can extend the battery life by using corrective electrolyte and additional charging.

Let's sum it up

Remember that the battery can also discharge not due to any breakdowns in the on-board network, but due to the owner’s simple inattention. For example, the owner forgot to turn off the headlights during the day or left the radio running in silent mode for a long period. There are a lot of such situations.

Now you know which battery to choose. However, please follow our recommendations regarding the correct choice of battery. Remember that only a high-quality product will ensure trouble-free operation and last the service life declared by the manufacturer.

How to choose a battery for Lada Kalina

The issue of choosing a replacement for an old battery must be approached responsibly. There are several important criteria, each of which is worth considering in detail.

Brand

Western countries use much more advanced technologies in the production of batteries. They even check in a completely different way. In our country, the charge is tested with a load fork, with the help of which the load is applied for 10 seconds, and the charge should not fall below 9 V. The European test involves 30 seconds of load with the same minimum threshold of the “drawdown” voltage. As a result, Russian batteries are inferior in quality to their foreign counterparts. It cannot be said that there are no brands on our market that are not inferior in quality to European ones, but there are not many of them. And you shouldn’t focus only on a popular brand; characteristics and compliance with the required parameters are much more important.

Date of manufacture

Proper storage of batteries is important. If the charging rules were violated, or the devices were in aggressive conditions of unacceptable temperatures, then their characteristics will be distorted even before they are purchased and installed under the hood. The best option is that the device was manufactured no more than four months ago. You should be very careful when buying a battery that has been stored for a year or more. Checking with a load fork is mandatory.

Capacity

Capacity selection is a broad topic and there is a lot of controversy surrounding it. But it all comes down to the fact that you need to choose a battery with a capacity no lower than the factory one. More is possible, but not less. In everything you need to know when to stop and understand that a battery with a large capacity simply will not fit in its rightful place due to its increased size.

Starting current

This parameter is indicated directly on the battery. It is not recommended to buy a battery with a starting current lower than the minimum declared for the Lada Kalina. The same amount or more is allowed. At subzero temperatures, the battery can lose up to 40% of its charge, and insufficient starting current may not cope with the difficulty of starting a frozen engine. In this matter, you need to find a middle ground, since options with a high starting current are quite expensive.

Polarity

The battery can be with direct or reverse polarity. This means that the terminals can be in opposite places. It is worth considering this when choosing a device. The cost of models with reverse polarity is somewhat lower, but installing them on Kalina, where direct polarity is provided, will not be easy.

Load fork test

Mandatory procedure before purchase. Usually, sellers themselves, without unnecessary requests, perform a load fork test in front of the buyer. To do this, voltage is applied to the battery for at least 10 seconds. The battery charge during this time should not drop to less than 9 V, otherwise it is not worth purchasing the device.

Guarantee

If a manufacturer gives a guarantee for its product for up to 5 years of operation, this indicates reliability and high quality. But the price tag for such batteries is unreasonably high. The optimal warranty period at an affordable price is from two to three years. These are honest numbers that correspond to the service life of the battery. If the warranty is only for a year, this is a reason to think about it. A short warranty period is given for a reason; it is not recommended to buy such products.

Budget models

If your budget is very limited or you simply do not want to spend a lot or almost a lot of money on a battery, then we are ready to advise you on very good batteries in a low price category. But already in 3-4 years of operation, there is a high probability that soon the Lada Kalina

will be on .

The purchase of such a source will be justified if the car is planned to be sold, exchanged, or used for purposes other than independent driving in the near future.

The peculiarity of these batteries lies primarily in the price. As for the technology, they are clearly outdated, but this does not mean that you are buying an absolutely antediluvian thing. No, these batteries are quite modern, it’s just that their production process is somewhat cheaper than when producing higher quality ones.

You are all thinking about which battery to buy for Lad Kalina, then pay your attention to the following models:

Manufacturer (country)	Marking	Capacity, Ah	Cold start current, A	Guarantee	Cost, rub.
Tyumen (Russia)	Standard 6CT-60 L+	60	520	2 years	2200 RUR
Smart Element (Russia)	6ST-60.1 VL3	60	480	6 months	2700 RUR
Kursky (Russia)	6ST-60 N	60	450	1 year	2800 RUR

By choosing from the batteries presented in the list, you can also select the best one. Kursky can be safely included among these. This source is made using the latest technologies, they allow you to achieve high capacity values, but take into account the inrush current during a cold start. While saving not so much money compared to the original battery, you will get a less powerful source, which, perhaps, at the first frost will reduce its capacity. This usually happens due to improper use and improper care.

If all the same after replacing with Lada Kalina

indicator lights up ,

then most likely you have an electrical problem. It will be fixed for you by specialists from our partner auto center quickly and efficiently. We carry out diagnostics of the battery on the Lada Kalina ourselves in any of our stores, the diagnostic service is free.

Antimony battery

The founder of all lead batteries. It got its name from the addition of a small percentage of antimony to lead, which made it less “soft.” Due to the rapid process of electrolysis, when when charging from 12.5 V to 12.7 V, it seems that the electrolyte is boiling, the expression “the battery is charged if it boils” arose.

The advantage of such batteries is their lead plates, which are strong enough to withstand deep discharges and not crumble. The disadvantage is the need to constantly monitor the electrolyte level in the banks. The liquid takes up more volume than the plates, which means that such batteries are limited in capacity and inrush current.

Antimony batteries are difficult to maintain due to the fact that they cannot be made sealed. The violent release of gases from electrolysis can simply rupture the housing.

Starting current power

The reliability of starting the machine depends on the amount of starting current supplied to the starter, especially when the ambient temperature is below -18˚C. The higher this parameter, the faster the starter will rotate. In the factory configuration, VAZ cars with an injector are equipped with a lead-acid battery with liquid electrolyte with a starting current power of 255 amperes - this value is not enough to operate the car in harsh climatic conditions.

Insufficient current can be recognized as follows: the battery lamp on the dashboard lights up dimmer than usual. In this case, you should think about purchasing a more powerful battery, because at the most necessary moment the car may simply not start.

A high-quality battery for VAZ 2107 , 2110, 2111 and 2114 should provide a starting current of about 500-600 amperes. In the northern regions, it would be a good idea to purchase a battery with a capacity of about 700-750 amperes.

Calcium batteries

Calcium batteries replaced the obsolete antimony batteries. Instead, calcium was added to lead plates. The choice of this element should minimize the evaporation of water during the electrolysis process. In fact, this is a maintenance-free type of battery.

Some manufacturers add a small percentage of silver to the composition, which reduces the internal resistance, allowing for increased capacitance and inrush current. Calcium devices have low self-discharge. There are more plates here, but less liquid; they do not boil, since electrolysis requires 16 V.

But there are also disadvantages - such batteries are very sensitive to deep discharges. It is enough to discharge it several times, and it immediately loses up to 80% of its capacity. It is also necessary to take into account the high cost of relatively antimony ones - the difference in price can be three times different.

Manufacturer's choice

When purchasing a new battery, you should not save money and choose the cheapest model. Many unscrupulous manufacturers deliberately deceive potential buyers of their products by indicating inappropriate battery capacity or starting current values. Such deception is often revealed when there are problems with the ignition.

A priori, a quality product cannot be cheap. Specialists from one of the rating agencies have compiled a list of the most reliable car battery manufacturers. The rankings were distributed as follows:

Summarizing all of the above, we can come to the conclusion that there is no single answer to the question: “which battery for a VAZ is best to choose?” does not exist. It all depends on the specific car model, the number of built-in electrical devices (sound system, electric clock, etc.), and operating conditions. So if the battery light on a VAZ has been on for a long time, then you need to go to a specialized auto parts store, or best of all, to an official dealer of the Lada brand.

We tested two dozen batteries of the most popular size on the market, 242x175x190 mm. The results are amazing: more than half of the batteries tested failed.

With an old battery, this is not life.

The crisis has hit everything, and the battery market is no exception. Buyers look first of all at price. Even owners of prestigious cars are in no hurry to splurge on expensive batteries such as AGM and EFB, which everyone predicted unconditional dominance a few years ago.

It’s even somehow awkward to talk about amperes, coulombs and degrees if the mass consumer chooses what is cheaper. On the other hand, budget products often have poor quality, and the savings can cost a pretty penny... This time we decided to focus on inexpensive batteries.

Hybrid batteries

As you might guess from the name, manufacturers tried to combine all the best qualities from the two technologies. The battery also consists of plates, but one side is antimony and the other is calcium. The characteristics of this element turned out to be average - a universal among batteries. Water consumption is at an average level, increased capacity and starting current are not too sensitive to discharge and are in the average price segment.

Helium batteries should not be considered because of their unreasonably high price and relatively low performance that does not justify the cost, although such batteries are more powerful.

Dimensions

To install the battery in the engine compartment, there is a special niche with a stand and holding fasteners. To ensure that the battery stays securely in place and does not jerk from side to side, you need to choose the correct overall dimensions. And, of course, if you purchase a large battery, it simply will not fit on the platform.

Standard batteries for VAZ cars have the following indicators: 24.2 cm – length, 17.5 cm – width, 19 cm – height. When purchasing a new battery, you can rely on these measurements, but it would be a good idea to play it safe and independently measure all the geometric parameters of the old battery with a tape measure.

Removing and installing the battery

You can remove and install the battery only in strict compliance with the order of connecting/disconnecting the terminals, as well as the polarity. The process looks like this:

Open the hood.
Remove the cover from the “+” terminal.
Loosen the bolt connection of the negative terminal and disconnect it.
Loosen the bolt connection of the “positive” terminal and disconnect it.
Remove the battery.

Installing the battery in its rightful place is done in the reverse order. In this case, you need to be careful and take into account that any battery has considerable weight.

Polarity

Every car owner should know where the positive and negative terminals are located, as well as in what order to connect and disconnect the battery from the terminals, that is, have an idea of polarity.

There are two types of polarity in batteries - reverse and direct. To determine this criterion, you need to place the battery facing you so that the terminals are closer to you. With reverse polarity, the positive terminal is on the right, and with direct polarity, it is on the left. Direct polarity is found in almost all Russian-made cars, with the exception of the VAZ 2106, VAZ 21099 and Lada Largus.

Purchasing a battery with inappropriate polarity makes it impossible to properly connect the device to the network due to the missing wire length. If you connect the battery incorrectly, this is guaranteed to damage the built-in electronics.

Charging the battery

The battery itself does not produce electric current; its function is only to store it. The necessary supply of electricity in the battery is maintained by the generator, constantly recharging it. The battery life depends on the number of charge and discharge cycles. The more there are, the smaller the capacity becomes. Gradually, the battery is able to store less and less current - eventually there may not be enough to start the engine. In this case, you can revive the battery and charge it using various devices.

Before you start charging, there are several important factors to consider. The charging current should correspond to 10% of the rated capacity, that is, if the latter is 55 A/h, then the optimal current should be no more than 5-6 A. The voltage at the terminals should exceed the rated voltage by 10%. If a charged and serviceable battery shows 12.6 V, then the voltage at the charging terminals should be 13.86 V. The battery must be properly charged for a long time and at low current values. You can quickly charge the battery at a current of up to 30 A, but this method is detrimental to the plates.

Preparing to charge

Before charging the battery, you need to make sure it is discharged, and to do this it should be removed from its original place. During operation, a natural discharge is observed, but the device can also discharge due to damage to the case, when the electrolyte leaks through cracks and the chemical process is disrupted. The presence of a crack can be detected by severe oxidation of the terminals. Operation of such a power source is prohibited.

Manufacturers often use a special indicator plug, the color of which can be used to determine whether recharging is needed. All information can be found in the product passport.

The easiest and most effective way to check the charge level is to measure it with a multimeter. The device will show the exact voltage. Based on these readings, a decision is made about the need for charging.

The next step is to check the electrolyte level. This can be done through the filler holes. The electrolyte must completely cover the plates, be transparent and clean, no debris or clouding is allowed. If the level is low, you need to add distillate.

Capacity

The most important criterion when buying a new battery is its capacity. This indicator is measured in ampere-hours (Ah) and reflects the amount of electricity stored in the battery, which ensures starting the engine and stable operation of electrical appliances (radio, headlights, wipers). For passenger cars, batteries with a capacity of 50-90 Ah are usually suitable.

Find out the charging time of your battery

The maximum capacity is always indicated on the battery case. Before purchasing a new battery, you can focus on the performance of the old battery - they should be equal or slightly different from each other. It is also worth considering the generator rating - to obtain the optimal battery capacity, its value must be multiplied by 0.75.

Important! If the indicator in question is significantly lower than the required one, then in cold weather problems with ignition may occur. If you exceed the maximum value, this may lead to starter failure.

All new Lada cars have standard batteries with a nominal capacity of 55 Ah. However, this value may not be enough for trouble-free startup of the injector in cold weather, so it is better to adhere to the following recommendations:

For a VAZ 2107, the optimal choice would be a powerful battery with a capacity of 70 Ah.
Batteries with a capacity of 60-70 Ah are suitable for the VAZ 2110 and VAZ 2111.
For the VAZ 2114 it is better to purchase a capacitive battery of about 80 Ah.

By following these tips, your car will operate reliably even in frosty Russian winters.

Everything is in place

To identify leaders and outsiders, we introduced a scoring system. In each type of test, the best and worst results were taken and assigned five points (maximum) and one point (minimum), respectively. Each of the remaining participants received an intermediate score proportional to their position between the leader and the outsider. For example, if, when measuring reserve capacity, the leader showed a result of 112 minutes, and the outsider showed 78, then the participant with a result of 87 minutes gets 2.06 points. If a battery fails in one test or another, it receives 0 points.

The total score based on the results of measurements is the arithmetic average of five intermediate assessments. Then we divided it by the price of the battery, after which we again brought it to a five-point scale. So the final score is essentially value for money.

The Tyumen Battery Premium and Varta Blue Dynamic batteries turned out to be unrivaled in our tests. Taking into account the much more attractive price, the “Siberian” rose to the top. If we didn't take prices into account, Varta would be first. However, the “foreign” battery has another paradoxical advantage over the Russian battery: it is easier to find on sale. It sounds illogical, but it is true, and not only in Moscow.

Conclusion? You cannot purchase a battery looking only at the price tag. Savings may backfire. It is better to spend a little time to familiarize yourself with the results of our examination. Good luck with your purchase and stable voltage in the on-board network!

What does a “state employee” like?

The Kalinovaya Lada is often called a budget car option. And this is largely true. But this aspect does not mean that this “simple” car loves “cheap” spare parts, components and mechanisms.

When deciding on choosing a battery for a viburnum, take your time. And especially don’t save money. Even “state employees” don’t like “penny” ingredients for themselves and their loved ones/

By the way, here it is necessary to say about the inconsistency of a number of individual recommendations that are present on some automobile forums. Here you can often see advice like this: “Viburnum can eat everything. More precisely, cheap spare parts and components will suit it. Don’t worry too much about it.”

How can you comment on these statements? Sheer nonsense! Car enthusiasts who recommend this adhere to the following principle: I’ll drive my car for a year or two, and then, lo and behold, I’ll buy myself a new one. But no one thinks about how the car will feel after negligent care and what problems the new owner will have to face.

Our advice to you: do not listen to unprofessional recommendations. And provide quality care for your car. And then it will last a long time.

Carefully study the topic of which battery is best for this AvtoVAZ brainchild. This will help you choose a decent option for the Lada Kalina.

So what does this car like? When choosing a battery, you should in any case follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. Ignoring the “factory advice” threatens a serious blow to the well-being of your Lada Kalina, its technical capabilities and “longevity”. This is the main rule, following which you can choose a truly high-quality battery.