DIN 60038 Battery (DIN100)¶
The 60038 is a DIN DIN100 group-size automotive battery — a 12V high-capacity European unit built for premium vehicles, light-commercial fleets, and start-stop or high-electrical-load applications. It is the top platform in the standard European passenger-car size class before stepping into commercial-truck footprints.
The 60038 reference is the DIN/EN type designation for this case. Aliases include DIN100, L5, and the EN "light-heavy" class. The parallel naming (DIN, EN, LN) is normal for European batteries — the same box carries multiple labels depending on the convention in use. See Standards Comparison for the mapping.
Key Specifications¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard | EN 50342 (DIN/EN) |
| Group Size | DIN100 / L5 |
| Voltage | 12V (6 cells) |
| Capacity (C20) | 100 Ah |
| CCA (reference) | 900 A (EN, −18°C) |
| Reserve Capacity | Confirm on inquiry |
| Terminal Type | Standard Euro (recessed) — confirm polarity |
| Application | Premium European vehicles, light commercial, start-stop/high load |
CCA is a reference value, test-method dependent. The DIN100 is rated on the EN/DIN basis (−18°C), which does not compare directly to a JIS (−15°C) figure — there is no universal multiplier between them. Always confirm the final value and basis with the manufacturer before a product specification. See CCA Testing.
Electrical Performance¶
The DIN100 is chosen when a mid-size European battery runs out of reserve or cranking margin. It holds the highest capacity in the standard passenger-case class.
- Capacity (C20) — 100 amp-hours at the 20-hour rate.
- CCA — 900 A reference on the EN basis; premium and AGM grades push toward the top of the range.
- Reserve Capacity (RC) — confirm on inquiry; extended reserve matters for start-stop and high-accessory vehicles.
- Start-stop & BMS compatibility — vehicles with engine start-stop cycle the battery far harder than conventional cars, and their battery management system (BMS) expects a specific charge-acceptance profile. Confirm whether the target vehicle requires flooded, EFB, or AGM chemistry, and whether the BMS supports it. See Battery Chemistry Comparison.
For a deeper look at how the DIN100's cranking and reserve metrics interact, see Capacity & Reserve.
Dimensions & Tolerance¶
The DIN100 uses the L5 European footprint — identical in length and width to the DIN88, but a slightly larger case envelope for the higher cell count.
| Dimension | Reference value |
|---|---|
| Length | 353 mm |
| Width | 175 mm |
| Height | 190 mm |
| Wet weight | ~23 kg |
Confirm the exact case size and terminal height against the vehicle. Recessed-terminal lids add height above the bare case, and the clearance between the terminal recess and the hood is often tighter than the length/width fitment.
Terminal Type & Polarity¶
The DIN100 uses the standard Euro (recessed) terminal layout, distinct from JIS posts and BCI/SAE top posts. Recessed terminals sit flush inside the lid, which protects them from shorting but also constrains cable clamp choice.
Polarity and terminal layout must be confirmed on inquiry. European batteries ship in right-positive and left-positive configurations; the correct orientation comes from the vehicle's cable routing and hold-down, not from the group size alone.
Compatible Vehicles & Applications¶
The DIN100 serves high-capacity European and large-platform applications:
- Premium European sedans and SUVs — large-engine platforms with heavy accessory loads.
- Light commercial vehicles and vans — fleet units needing reserve for refrigeration, telematics, or lift gates.
- Start-stop vehicles — where the battery must accept repetitive charge/discharge cycling; confirm EFB/AGM chemistry requirements.
- High-electrical-load aftermarket builds — vehicles fitted with aftermarket audio, winches, or auxiliary lighting.
As with all European cases, these are cross-reference fitments — validate against the original equipment specification before ordering.
DIN100 vs DIN88¶
The DIN100 (60038) and DIN88 (58827) share the L5 footprint but not the electrical profile. The DIN100 steps up to 100 Ah and 900 A reference CCA versus the DIN88's 88 Ah and ~680–850 A. Pick the DIN100 where reserve capacity or cranking margin is the binding constraint; see 58827 (DIN88).
Source & Purchase¶
For high-volume OEM and private-label sourcing with full analytical documentation, browse the complete battery catalog on the main website.