Any Recommendations for New Battery?

[chris_bates]

Hi there!

Has anyone got any recommendations for a fairy heavy duty battery for my Pick-up? It is fitted with a Mini Cooper head so needs a bit of punch. I'd rather not just pop down to Halfords and get one that lasts just over the year's guarantee!

Thanks

Chris

[bmcecosse]

You don't need a big battery - just buy one same size as you have - in fact - I suggest you buy the smallest they sell! COSTCO used to be good for batteries - be sure to get one that has the terminals oriented such that they are at the back - away from the clamp bar.

[mike.perry]

Halfords sell some large batteries with 4 year warranty but they cost.
Take the oportunity to convert to neg earth and buy the battery accordingly.

[IslipMinor]

Our Minor was refurbished nearly 13 years ago - the first battery from Halfords lasted 8 years and the current one from our local motor factors is going very well after about 5 years. Both were towards the largest that will fit the battery box for negative earth. My view is buy large, get some spare capacity for cold weather and expect at least 4 years with no problems. I seem to remember the second battery was less than £40. You will be surprised how differently the engine spins over on the starter with a good size battery - particularly if you are still using a dynamo that takes a bit longer to restore the charge after starting.

Saving a few quid suddenly loses its appeal if the car won't start easily on a winter morning!

Oh, and make sure that it is well charged during the winter months. One frost on a less than well charged battery can easily finish it off.

[bmcecosse]

Well - my TR7 (2 litre engine) cranks up nicely on a tiny battery (smaller even than the small one in my Minor!) - and it was far from new when I got the car 3 years ago!And it has to crank the engine over quite a bit to get fuel up - due to the mechanical pump - before it fires up.

[dalebrignall]

038 is the battery number you want .

[mike.perry]

Or HCB075 for neg earth

[MarkyB]

If you have plenty of spare cash Optima batteries get very good reviews as they are very robust and don't tend to lose charge even if left for long periods.
A lot of motorcyclists use them as the bike will still start having been stored for the winter, rather than having to buy a new battery every spring.

[chris_bates]

Thanks for all your thoughts and recommendations. The pick-up had been standing for some months before I bought it and that has obviously finished the battery off. The system is negative earth so I'll follow up your recommendations and search for some prices. Thanks again.

Chris

[Pikey]

I bought a cheapy £40 Halfords battery back in 2005 and its been going fine touch wood. The other day the enormous sized Battery failed on my Mazda 6 2.0Td (literally looks like it could start the QE2) so the pickup temporarily had its battery robbed so that I could get to work with the minimal fuss. The mogs battery was tiny in the battery box of the mazda but started up the diesel engine fine and I drove to work. Cant fault the battery. The mazda battery cost me £98 to replace BTW.

Not sure if I actually damaged the battery on the mog but it seems fine since. If anything I think it did the battery good to be used.

Steve

[IslipMinor]

I use the 065 (correct terminal layout for -ve earth), which is 55/60 Ah in comparison to 35/40 Ah for the 038. More usefully the maximum current that it can deliver is 550A against the 300A for the 038 - Lucas MG35 starters will need >250A on a cold morning, so plenty in reserve. I don't even think about needing to charge the battery if I have'nt used the car for a few weeks, or occasionally months - it always just starts! Have never had to use a battery charger on either battery.

Current prices are just over £40 for the 065.