Tired battery - best replacement?

[Oldmogman]

Sadly, after some 10 years’ faultless service, it seems my poor old Delco battery has finally turned up its plates and expired.

Does anyone know where I might get another Delco battery for a Minor – and for a reasonable price? I can’t seem to find any listed.

Alternatively, could anyone recommend a decent but affordable battery? How much was it and where did you buy it?

(Or, given that my Morris hibernates for the winter, is it more cost-effective to buy a cheapie?)

And does anyone know what the correct battery specification should be for a Minor running a dynamo? I can’t see any markings on the old battery. (The engine is a 1275 but I doubt that makes any difference.)

Suggestions please!

Thanks

[dalebrignall]

just get a 038 battery ,most places do them you get a 4 year guarente from halfords

[MarkyB]

I went for a bigger battery than specified, I think it was for a 2 litre Capri, can't remember, it has round terminals in the right orientation anyway which was the main thing.
It started no problem on Sunday having been left in the garage all winter (disconnected) which is good enough for me, if I get ten years out of it I'll be ecstatic!

[rayofleamington]

If you want the battery to last longer, then don't leave the car idle for 4 months unless you add a trickle charger or solar trickle charger to the battery.
A lead acid battery will last a lot better if it is kept at the correct state of charge.

[phurn]

I just lumped for the biggest battery that will physically fit that I could find. I think its got some 550 cranking amps and I can't remember the wah.

[bmcecosse]

No point getting a bigger battery, it's just extra weight to lug around - COSTCO have great value quality batteries. The solar charger is an excellent device for a car that's not used for lengthy periods.

[MarkyB]

In reply to phurn.

My thinking exactly, I don't have mains power or much sunshine to my garage, it's under a block of flats and surrounded by houses.
I'd much rather have spare capacity than the bare minimum.

[phurn]

Until I move house mine lives outside. If you make short journey so the battery doesn't fully recharge, The extra capacity is great as you have to recharge less, however if your gonna leave it over winter.... just dis connect it and check the battery from time to time! I got the higher battery as I plan to fit some extras anyway, radio rear demoister ect

[Oldmogman]

Thanks everyone - I'll see what I can find.

(I did keep the old battery pepped up over the winter months with regular trickle charges, which I think helped it last as long as it did!).

[rayofleamington]

My thinking exactly, I don't have mains power or much sunshine to my garage, it's under a block of flats and surrounded by houses.

the solar chargers will work fine without direct sunlight. They pay for themselves very easily as they add many years to battery life - and the massive convenience of always knowing the battery is charged and not having to mains charge a battery is worth the ~£10 price on its own.

Disconecting the battery and checking it won't help - A lead acid battery will naturally decay if it is not charged. As the chemistry changes the voltage reduces - something like half a volt per month. If left too long (>6 to 9 months) they can't be recovered. After a winter period they will still recharge, but life expectancy is reduced.

[phurn]

it wont help per se, however if your car has wiring like mine and a few ohers on here then no doubt theres a slight drain on it from somewhere, disconnecting it removes that threat, so it shouldnt discharge so quickly.