best battery for accessories...

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 2:45 pm

hiya,

I'm planning several little accessories for the van, many of which will need to be operable whether the ignition is on or off. Nothing really major, just courtesy lighting and 12v sockets for charging mobile phones - for when I'm "camping" in it. And some EL Wire.

Is there a nice heavy-duty battery I should be getting (I'll need a new one anyway) which will be able to handle this without getting sniffy when it's time to start up in the morning?

wibble xx

Post by **aupickup** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:29 pm

normal battery size from halfords, with an alternater would do

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:37 pm

have alternator, will boogie

I just wondered if there was an extra-strong scotch bonnet stylee battery I could request as a birthday present

Post by **aupickup** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:40 pm

Well one for an mgb would be better then, and is heavier duty

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:48 pm

cheers, dude

so what should i ask for in a shop?

Post by **Onne** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:09 pm

get some measurements of the actual tray, see what side is what polarity, and get one as big as you like

I have trial fitted a 88Ah battery, but I only have a humble dynamo, so no good for me.

I have a standard 44Ah battery

Post by **Dominic** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:22 am

I just wondered if there was an extra-strong scotch bonnet stylee battery I could request as a birthday present

If that doesn't work - you might have to make do with the birds-eye variety!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:23 pm

battery for Pug 306 diesel is supposed to be the one to have. Doesn't matter whether alt or dyn - you can still fit a bigger battery ! But it would be better really to have two batteries - one for all your needs when 'camping' - the other exclusively for the vehicle. This with a split charging system (or just a relay if you know what's what) will ensure good starting even if you flatten the camping battery - and it will then recharge as you drive.

Post by **d_harris** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:30 pm

I was going to suggest a "leisure" battery to go in the back! only as a joke really, but would definatly work

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:59 pm

Or a small windmill (as used on boats) - and/or a solar panel.

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:39 pm

I have a 65Ah battery in the Mogster, that ran my laptop via a 12V -> 240V converter for just shy of an hour before the converter warned me that battery voltage was dropping to the minimum it'll run at (it's designed to switch off leaving enough power for you to start).

Post by **minor_hickup** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:38 pm

The problem with car batterys is that they aren't designed to deliver small currents for a long period. Which is why alarm systems can leave euro-boxes with flat batteries after a fairly short while without a run. Leisure batteries are designed for this.

Post by **M25VAN** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:26 am

What about one of those portable jump start thingies?
They charge off of the car cigar lighter and have a socket for accessories to plug in to. They have a light on them and a voltmeter. Some even have a tyre inflator which is handy especially if you have a camp bed to blow up!

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:05 pm

Costco do a nice heavy duty one thats listed under Metro but check your battery tray size as it was to big to fit mine but I have seen them fitted to other cars without a problem, so its just down to manufacturing tolerances I guess.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:29 pm

Thanks very much everyone for your advice and suggestions. A leisure battery eh? I never knew there was such a thing, not being a caravanner, but now I do! Cheers - and cheers also for the suggestions of heavier-duty battery makes and types