Apparently the Group 47 Diehard International is small for the tray in my 95 850.
Some say to get the Group 48 which is 11 and some odd inches in length instead of the 6 that the Group 47 is.

I couldn't find anything immediately in searching that regarded which battery to get since its the first time I had to replace it. I also have that overflow/breathing tube that connected to the battery top in the middle. Do I still need that with a new battery or just connect it if the new battery has that etc.

Thanks for any help on this.

 

The 47 battery is what I use all the time.

 

Like tech said, 47 is just fine. Buy a battery clamp ($5 from volvo p/n 9444282) which will help to secure the battery better.

BTW, here is a bit info will help you to select your battery;
http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.as...tentid=4023696

 

Hello Timer00,
I haven't changed my battery yet, but I googled several forums where car owners of Volvo and VWs state that Sears had the battery size is listed incorrectly. It should be 48 not 47. To be certain I will measure my battery and match it to both size batteries at the store.
My battery's present capacity is marginal. It will hold an 80% charge. The average capacity to start a car is 77%. I truly hate to pluck down $ 100+ for a new battery. I am going to try something that worked for me in the past. Yesterday I ordered a bottle of "Charge-it" battery additive from Amazon.com . It contains a chemical that will dissolve the sulfation in the battery and improve its ability to hold a charge. I used to buy this stuff under the old brand name of VX-6. The cost at Auto barn ( Amazon.com) is only $ 4.49 plus S&H $ 5.50. I will let you know how this works out after I get it.

 

+1

Technically the battery is a 48, but the 47 works fine if you order the bracket that was mentioned above. If I were you, I would just return the 47 and get the 48. Why spend more money when you do not have to.

 

I put a Braille battery in my car. just under 1200 CCA and 17 lbs. A buddy of mine works at tire rack, so I was able to get it for just over $100. It's also 7"x4"x6" =)

 

My previous battery was Exide Type 48. It died on me last week. I was in a rush to go to work, I stopped at AutoZone to just get SOMETHING in order to get to work.

They said the only battery that would fit my car is a Type 47 Duralast Gold...$135. It was 520CCA and visually smaller than the previous one.

Needless to say, the next day I went back to exchange it. I got the Duralast 48 with 800CCA and they gave me $35 back.

The 11 inch batteries fit just fine in the 850.

 

Actually if you get real specific depending on the cars options from the factory it could have come with either. Some came with a 47 and others came with a 48.

 

The European Volvo manual actually states that all 850's came with a 520CCA/100min reserve battery.

I personally think that's too low, especially for cold winters such as this.

 

To all,
I promised to update everyone on my adding the battery additive "Charge-it" to save my battery. My battery was deteriorating and I feared it might fail during this cold winter. I checked the battery four days after adding it. Same result as day one --no change. The battery was at 80% but accepted a charge up to 100%. I performed the same procedure about 4 to 5 days later - same result again. Today on December 23, I checked the battery again. This time the battery was at 100% capacity from the start ! Apparently, "Charge-it" took longer to bring the battery back than I had anticipated. But is definitely working and I no longer fear my battery will succumb to the winter.