What Battery ?

[JuNK512G]

I need a new battery for my '69 van but am totally confused as to which size to choose. My set up is Ital 1300cc A+ & alternator, I have a radio which uses a permanent .02ma drain with the ignition off presumably for it's memory, clock, electric washers also use Sat Nav, mobile phone & Kindle chargers whilst travelling & sometimes overnight caravan back up if the leisure battery has drained. I can't find the original spec for Ital battery so can anyone suggest just what size battery I need please.

[mike.perry]

The biggest battery you can afford which will fit the tray. A small battery looks lost.
For neg earth the posts must be at the back with the neg earth post on the right

[JuNK512G]

Thanks for that Mike, this is what I had in mind when I went to Costco but they just blinded me with science, they have one at 61 ah & 600 amp. I tried researching on the net but of course nothing is listed now for the likes of Marina/Ital's etc. The battery I have been using for 18 months was discarded as faulty from a modern Vauxhall, it tends to go flat after periods of non use & registers as faulty cranking on a test meter. It is a 60 ah 370 cca.
Charlie.

[dalebrignall]

hi charlie i use a 038 but i will get a bigger one when this one packs up

[JuNK512G]

Thanks Dale, I think the 038 is about 35 ah & 330 amp, I'm beginning to think this is not an exact science, just bung in as big as will fit. Fixed that engine yet ?
Chas.

[bmcecosse]

It's not an exact science - and Costco is a great place to buy a battery. As above make sure you select one with the terminals ending up at the bulkhead - and NOT right up against the battery clamp bar with HUGE risk of serious short circuit/battery explosion. No need at all to get a large battery - any 12 volt battery will easily crank an A series. A small battery cranks my 2 litre TR7 engine just fine ! Measure the space you have - and then take a tape measure along to Costco. Don't worry about 'filling the space' - any extra room can soon be filled with spares.........

[JuNK512G]

Thank you for that, the tape measure bit was precisely what I did then the man confused me.

[dalebrignall]

not yet its going back a week on thursday be funny if i end up on a aa lorry

[mike.perry]

I tried Costco, I wanted a black battery, they only had grey. I parked outside and had to walk right through the store to the tyre department. Was not allowed to walk through the tyre dept. back to my car, had to walk back through the store back to the car. Gave up, drove home.
Do not ask for a Morris Minor battery, they will give you a pos earth , you want a neg earth. With all your accessories I would still go for the biggest battery possible

[bmcecosse]

Batteries are not +ve or -ve earth.....they are however available with the terminals in different orientations/places to suit specific installations. No point fitting a large battery - it's just more money, and more weight....... My rally Elf used a tiny aircraft battery.....

[IslipMinor]

An 068 has the terminals at the back for -ve earth. Around 65/70AH capacity, so lots in reserve for a permanent radio supply, or electrical problem and still doesn't fill the battery box.

Last year on the Euroclassic we had a alternator failure and had to drive for around 2 hours, mainly with the headlights and wipers on, until we got to the final checkpoint and the service support could supply another one the following morning. Started normally in the morning even after that - I like having the comfort zone of capacity!

We bought ours from Halfords ~7 years ago, and still doing the job perfectly.

[mike.perry]

[quote="bmcecosse"]. My rally Elf used a tiny aircraft battery.....[/quote

Your Riley Elf was not being used to light up a campsite - slight exaggeration.
Do not ask for a Morris Minor battery, they will sell you a battery suitable for a pos earth car, you want one for a neg earth car.

[bmcecosse]

It did have 4 extra Cibies Mike - and could light up a forest track very nicely........

[Matt]

038 would be the "correct" one... but I use whatever I can get my hands on

I have used an 096 (transit diesel) battery and an 063 (escort diesel) battery in the past.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Continuing the theme of 'there's a real risk of shorting when the terminals are facing forward', I also have mine nearest the bulkhead, but have an old off-cut of wood about 1/2" thick inbetween here and the battery for extra safety.

[bigjim]

biggest is best MORE POWWEEEER i used to run diesel transit battery too

[bmcecosse]

There's no NEED for a big battery - it's just extra weight - and extra expense to buy it in the first place........

[bigjim]

lasts longer when your dynamo isnt up to the job

[bmcecosse]

But why would the dynamo not be 'up to the job' ?? It CAN balance the headlights + wipers + heaters when running. I used to rally a Minor with extra lights - and it balanced them too! If the dynamo is not working properly - fix the dynamo!!

[IaininTenbury]

Late addition to this thread but for what its worth: The listed batteries are 038s the same as a Mini. These used to be the cheapest too when the roads were full of (proper) Minis, but are now not so - volume of production I suppose. Cheapest battery these days is an 063 a more square shaped one which is more than adequate for a Minor. Available on ebay for about £35, a bit more from halfords etc...
I normally use 063s these days, but like others on here my 'works van' uses whatever battery is about and going spare. Last year it had an old Land Rover battery that was too tired to start a cold diesel Land Rover and only just fitted in the battery holder! Now on an 063 which a customer replaced on his Golf, but turned out to be fine on the Minor
I don't have a problem with battery clamp v terminals as I use a Series 2 type clamp which goes round the vertical face of the battery not across the top corner.