Battery Size

Post by **Gareth** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 8:06 pm

Hi all!

I had to use the handle to start her again tonight (source of much mirth on the school car-park... ;)

) so I'm thinking that I'll have to sort out Phyllis' Christmas present soon.

So. What size battery ought I have in there? Can anyone give any recommendations? I've got an alternator, but I've also got halogens, fog lights, the stereo &c. Would the standard size be big enough (if so, what's the Halfrauds code, so I can have a quick recce) or should I go for a bigger one (if so, any recommendations so I can nip down to Halfrauds and have a recce?).

There's a local place that does discounts for Seniors, so I might try and get it from there and take dear old Dad... ;)

Oh, and I've still got both thumbs connected, if anyone was worried about my handle-technique... Oooh, matron! ;) :p

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 8:11 pm

Gareth - it would be worth to get your alternator checked out at the same time(faulty alternators are a common cause of wrecked batteries).
It would not be amusing to fit a new battery on the car and have its life shortened quickly due to a failed regulator.

But as you've got an alternator - it saves everyone from blaming the dynamo

Halfords have a chart for batteries with 2 options (same as mini 1000 etc..) the cheap one with 3 year warranty, or the heavy duty one.
You are free to take a slightly bigger battery with an alternator as its charging capacity is bigger, but there's not much point going very big as it costs more and you're unlikely to see much benefit.

Post by **Gareth** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 8:26 pm

The battery's feeling it's age a bit - I was recommended to replace it last year, and it's soldiered on. This morning it started first time, but a short crawling commute complete with lights, wipers, heater and the stereo didn't do much for it. That and it was near freezing when I left work, it wouldn't turn over at all. The lights still brightened slightly when the engine was revved, though, but it might be an idea to get the output checked at the same time.

I'm thinking a slightly bigger one could be an asset - the standard one's really quite small and considering the extra load on the system, I was wondering how much of the power is drawn from the reserve and how much comes straight from the alternator...

Post by **Alec** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 7:55 am

Hello Gareth,
my feeling is that battery size is proportional to starter load, the normal running loads being catered for by the dynamo or alternator.
If you consistently 'overdraw' the generator's capacity then you are relying on the battery as a power source so a larger capacity one will give you longer running time.
Modern batteries are smaller for a given rating so the perception of the battery size relative to the Minor battery tray size is not really valid.
I suggest that you by a battery by an ampere hour rating that the workshop manual specifies, which may be surprisingly small physically.

Alec

Post by **Cam** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 12:03 pm

Gareth,

I just had a look at the one I put on mine recenty (ample specification and nice size).

The Halfords number is: HB007

If you are negative earth then it has the added advantage that the terminals are rear facing (towards the bulkhead) but still the correct way around (+ closest to the starter solenoid, and - closest to the wiper motor).

You can see mine in this picture:

http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/Members_Ca ... 417_01.JPG

Post by **Relfy** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 1:34 pm

....Cam, I dont mean to panic-monger, and what do I know anyway? But what with you leaving your window open and everything.... well....its just....someone appears to have walked off with your engine...

Post by **Gareth** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 4:38 pm

@ Relfy.

I'd forgotten about the backwardness of the Minor's electrical system, so I'll have to have a look at that. Thanks, all!

Post by **Cam** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:28 pm

Relfy wrote: ....Cam, I dont mean to panic-monger, and what do I know anyway? But what with you leaving your window open and everything.... well....its just....someone appears to have walked off with your engine...

I wondered why it was sluggish recently.........

Post by **Gareth** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 2:34 pm

Just an update... I nipped down to ATS this morning, and although the battery was showing 13.4v (it had been on charge all weekend), their condition indicator pronounced it DOA.

So. New battery. ATS hadn't got one, and wouldn't get one until after Christmas. The Minor Centre hadn't got one, but could get one for the afternoon. They would also supply a Heavy Duty one, believed to come from a Maestro. Halfwits, however, were able to sell me a battery for a 1.0 Metro - 1.3 Metro / Maestro / Montego for under £40. Three year guarantee, it has more 'go' than Halfrauds Heavy Duty Minor battery (despite actually being cheaper...

), AND, the terminals are in the right place! In fact, it looks pretty much the same as the one in Cam's photo, but then after a morning looking at batteries, of all things, they've begun to look alike... ;)

It's a bit of a squeeze in the battery box, cos it's a bit deeper than the old battery, but it seems to be doing the job, and she starts with barely a sniff of the starter.

Post by **Cam** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 2:46 pm

What is the number on the battery then Gareth? Is it HB007?

Post by **Gareth** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 2:51 pm

No... er... hmm...

back in a tick...

I *think* (trying to infer what the codes mean on the receipt) that it's an HB068, rather than the HB015 that was on there originally.