If a car battery says "600 cranking amps" - is that the same as regular amps?

Question

If a car battery says "600 cranking amps" - is that the same as regular amps?

Answer 1

Not totally.  The 600 cranking amps is measured for only 30 seconds.  Typically this is reported as "cold cranking amps" or CCA.

Cold cranking amps (CCA) is the amount of current a battery can provide at 0°F (−18°C). The rating is defined as the amperage a lead-acid battery at that temperature can deliver for 30 seconds and maintain at least 1.2 volts per cell (7.2 volts for a 12-volt battery). It is a more demanding test than those at higher temperatures.

Answer 2

yes it is the same, cars are harder to crank when cold so it takes more amps to make the car start. This battery states that it has 600 amps X 12 volt =7,200 watts of power to start your car.

Answer 3

Yes.

It is just advertising.

The main purpose of car battery is to "crank" the engine.  Batteries are at there weakest when its cold.

So they advertise "cold cranking amps".

Answer 4

Cranking amps is the number of amps a car battery can deliver to the starter at 32  degrees F (Freezing)  

We are often interested in another number, the

Cold Cranking Amps and that is the number of

amps the battery is capable of delivering at 0 degrees F since that is going to be lower and each car's starter needs a certain minimum specification of cranking amps to start.