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battery dimensions
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:14 pm
by Pascal
Hi,
Can anybody tell me the maximum battery size (width x depth x height) that the battery bay will take ? My moggy is miles away and I need to buy a new battery.
Best regards,
Pascal
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:08 pm
by bmcecosse
Just buy the smallest battery you can find. The A series doesn't need a large/heavy battery. What is worth doing is to fit a solar charger if the car lies unused for longish periods. I see Maplins have them on sale at £9.99 at the moment!
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:35 pm
by chesney
Direct replacement for a Minor is a Halfords HB038, but any battery will probably do as BMC says..
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:40 pm
by mike.perry
The battery number depends on whether the car is pos or neg earth as the terminals will be round the other way. Halfords batteries are expensive, try your local motor factors. Small batteries look naff in a large battery box.
Largest battery that will fit 9.5"L x 6.5"W x 7"H. Battery no 075 (Neg Earth)
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:44 pm
by Pascal
I've found a fairly cheap battery (40AH - 340A) with the following dimensions :
width : 207 mm
depth : 175 mm
height : 190 mm
How will that fit ?
best regards
Pascal
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:49 pm
by chesney
mike.perry wrote:Halfords batteries are expensive
Should get a trade card Mike ;)
I'll agree that they can be bought cheaper elsewhere, but since (for me) it is around the same price and you get a 3 year warranty it's worth it.
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:05 pm
by mike.perry
You can get a 4 year guarantee if you really want to spend some money but I thought that approaching £100 was getting a bit steep
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 10:29 pm
by bmcecosse
That's a bit on the large side Pascal! but it will probably fit ok. Check ebay - do a search with 'nearest' and see if there is a Lucas agent near you. I got a great deal on a small Lucas Classic battery for my TR7 in the Spring, and it has absolutely no problem starting the 2 litre engine.
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 12:21 am
by mike.perry
Lucas Agents do not exist anymore
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:02 am
by IaininTenbury
038s used to be the smallest and cheapest batteries available as they fitted Minis and Marinas which have small battery boxes. Now due to economies of scale the price has crept up and the larger 063 size is now cheaper!
The last two I've had off ebay for around £35 and they arrive at your door the following day ready to go. 4 year warranty too so seems a good deal. No personal connection tot he supplier, just a satisfied customer....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bosch-S4-Car- ... 43b578e4c3
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:46 am
by bmcecosse
When I posted 'Lucas agent' - I was meaning an ebay seller - selling 'Lucas' Batteries. Yes - I dare say the name is not the same - but the lad I found in Glasgow had a huge place full of all different sizes, with a guarantee and good price. There seem to be others all over the country - so run that ebay search!

Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:56 pm
by stag36587
I've just bought a halfords hb038 battery which is certainly neat in the engine bay. I also bought a battery clamp from ESM but think I may need to do some reshaping to stop the clamp shorting out on the battery posts/connectors
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 8:02 pm
by bmcecosse
The battery posts must be inside - against the bulkhead - if you have changed to -ve earth. Which is why the 038 is not suitable.
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 8:49 pm
by chesney
bmcecosse wrote:The battery posts must be inside - against the bulkhead - if you have changed to -ve earth. Which is why the 038 is not suitable.
Out of interest - why (other than shorting out against the battery clamp)??
Re: battery dimensions
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:47 am
by bmcecosse
Exactly because of shorting risk when braking hard - or in an accident!