2+2 battery size

[Stog]

I need a new battery and the battery slot in my 280 is only 125mm wide, I'm struggling to find a battery with enough cca power that'll fit. Any suggestions?
I'd love to know what was fitted from the factory, the battery it had when I bought it has a cca rating of just 230 small wonder it crapped out so quick.

[Transmitter Man]

You're a lot smarter with Varta: http://www.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/products/aut...

I told'em Oldham: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-Oldham-072A-/281...

http://www.platinumbatteries.co.uk/wp-content/uplo...

I'm sure you can find cheaper brands but, you takes yer choice...

Phil
420 SEAC

[Stog]

Cheers Phil but at 175mm wide they're too big! My battery bay is flipping tinier than a tiny thing from tiny St.
I've searched the forums and see most wedges take a 175 mm battery no problems. Is my wedge the only one that won't?

[mrzigazaga]

Stog said:

Cheers Phil but at 175mm wide they're too big! My battery bay is flipping tinier than a tiny thing from tiny St.
I've searched the forums and see most wedges take a 175 mm battery no problems. Is my wedge the only one that won't?

No...Delilah was the same..In fact her designated space was flipping tapered!....I spent forever finding suitable batteries with the rear measurement of the gap only to get to the various places to find it doesn't fit...By-Shoppers staring and occasionally saying..."Its a TVR mate"..Even though my brain is saying .."Im quite well aware of that you fking moron"...I have to just nod and walk off like a dumb tw@t...Eventually i realised the gap was tapered and the only battery that would fit was an MX5 gel type battery...I know that there are red top racing batteries but they are not cheap...Mind you neither was the MX5 one at £90...But finding a small enough battery with the high cranking amps needed for the 280i...380-450cca ..(i think..)...At 500cca the MX5 ticked all the boxes... .Happy hunting mate....Ziga

[Stog]

After much googling I found this,
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/batteries...
It's a bit spendy but looks like what I need.
I'm still curious to find out if my tiny battery slot is a 2+2 thing or just a TVR special

[Stog]

mrzigazaga said:

No...Delilah was the same..In fact her designated space was flipping tapered!....I spent forever finding suitable batteries with the rear measurement of the gap only to get to the various places to find it doesn't fit...By-Shoppers staring and occasionally saying..."Its a TVR mate"..Even though my brain is saying .."Im quite well aware of that you fking moron"...I have to just nod and walk off like a dumb tw@t...Eventually i realised the gap was tapered and the only battery that would fit was an MX5 gel type battery...I know that there are red top racing batteries but they are not cheap...Mind you neither was the MX5 one at £90...But finding a small enough battery with the high cranking amps needed for the 280i...380-450cca ..(i think..)...At 500cca the MX5 ticked all the boxes... .Happy hunting mate....Ziga

Zig that sounds, just like my slot, tapered for fun do you remember what brand your battery was? Sounds like a good option.

[marcus1875]

This is in my 280i, not sure about the width though. Its 380cca does me fine.
Marcus

Edited by marcus1875 on Tuesday 18th August 18:07

[Transmitter Man]

The links I posted were those listed for the 280/290 so Varta & Oldham's database is incorrect.

Phil
420SEAC

[mrzigazaga]

Mine was a "Westco" battery...looks like they have gone up another 9 quid though...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Premium-QualtyWestco-Gel...


I bought mine from these people and were very helpful...Try their "Battery wizard"..."You might find something suitable if you plumb in your measurement"...Said the actress to the bishop!.. Its under "Help & Info".
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...

The did advise that that when a gel battery goes flat there is no amount of charging from a domestic charger that will bring it back...It has to be a heavy duty jobbie to shock it into taking a charge and then the alternator will charge it correctly..Most garages have a heavy duty one..This has happened to me and so i know they speak real words...Have a bit of fun hunting for the right one..

[RCK974X]

Not a 2+2, but original 2.8 - yes slot is narrow in these too !!

When I was a lad...... There used to be a 13 (?) plate version of the standard small battery (standard is 9, or possibly 11) which had high CCA, but it doesn't seem to exist any more.

380CCA (as above) is probably OK - I think recommended is 400CCA minimum. Perhaps on a really cold frosty morning it might struggle (but OK if in the garage/shed !!)

There was just enough room in Capris,Grannys and Cortinas for the bigger DIN55 battery (500 CCA), which I think is what's in the V8 Wedges with the moulded dent in the inner wing, but it won't go in my wedge - unless I add a dent. I've been thinking about doing that actually.

I went to a battery place here in NZ, and they found me an NS60A (Hella) which is apparently for some Jap cars. It's rated at 430CCA, which is enough for a Cologne, and it fits easily in mine. It's a little longer than a standard 'small' but still quite narrow.

Spec - Hella Endurant NS60A (430 CCA from my memory)

125mm Wide (inc flange, a bit narrower at base)
235mm Long (inc flange)
200mm High (excluding posts)

Edited by RCK974X on Wednesday 19th August 01:23

[John042]

Hi,just completed this task of finding a suitable battery for "Wesley" 1984 2.8i. Problem was aiways the width. Eventually found these guys (Advanced Battery Supplies 0161 4779800) very helpful and got a battery with 440cca. Cheers J C.

[Stog]

Guys ye are saving me a fortune,
Thanks for all the recommendations

It's good to know I'm not alone
I'm surprised to hear they had high power compact batteries back then I thought it was a recent thing and assumed the cars left the factory with an inadequate battery doomed to fail and give TVR a reputation for poor reliability :P

Zig I'd better not let it go flat! I read on another side that you can charge them with an old school trickle charger but it takes a week!!!
I guess I'd better make sure my alternator is up to the job, I think it's a 45 amp unit. Is that enough grunt?

[RCK974X]

45 Amps should be plenty, unless you've got high power headlamps and spotlights always on, or a 2000 watt car audio system.

From checking web, looks like that NS60A reference I gave you is for Aus and NZ, but as it's Hella there must be an equivalent ref for Europe I would have thought.

There's some good info on web about lead-acid batteries, and why they die VERY quickly if you leave them to go flat. I reckon even if you care for them, you should budget on about a 5 year life for the typical car battery. If it's not too far gone, there are 'rejuvenators' which sort of work, but it just extends the life a bit more)

(Yes there are premium makes etc etc, but 5 years is my 'default' rule....)

Edited by RCK974X on Wednesday 19th August 21:03

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate...As Andy say's...45amp alternator should be plenty...Unless you are driving a mobile disco...Mine was a 55 amp but i had to upgrade to an 80 amp when i had the EPS fitted..As also said i think my problem was the width of the batteries...John...(Wooly) actually moved Delilah's in to the boot...Something i contemplated a few times...Mind you the 350i is no better...That requires the battery to be made of rubber....

[Stog]

Good to know guys, I might replace the brushes and the belt to be sure I don't kill my shiny new battery anyway
I don't have a 2000w stereo but if I did i might have a faint chance of hearing it over the exhaust note.

[mrzigazaga]

Stog said:

I don't have a 2000w stereo but if I did i might have a faint chance of hearing it over the exhaust note.

I specialise in Wedge radios....

[RCK974X]

Couple of tips -

DON'T tighten the fan belt a lot, the water pump bearing on 2.8 ally [replacement] pumps is a bit marginal, and tend to fail quickly - try to get belt just tight enough so it doesn't slip (=squeal)

If you're thinking about moving battery to boot, you need some good quality super heavy duty wire - think of 400 amps traveling up that wire, even if just for a few secs, and the fact that it will turn over slowly if a bit thin. Not trying to put you off, but worth the warning. A thick wire with hundreds of tiny conductors is probably better (but will be more expensive).

[Transmitter Man]

4/0 gauge is what you want though I've not seen any for sale in the UK;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-0-AWG-Gauge-Red-Black-Co...

I purchased a roll from an MOD sale some years ago.

Phil
420 SEAC

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

The Tiny race Gel batteries that Demon tweaks sell (you can buy from other places), are great, I've not even got the biggest version in the racer, but it turns the V8 over easy, plus I've not set-up the ECU for cold starting so it takes a while to start. I've never had to charge it either, plus i've only got a 35 amp Alternator.
The car has been sitting for 2 years (with a battery cut off) but will still turn over.

[General Zod]

Batteries....
I have a tiny gap. The current battery is 215 L x 130 W x 150 D with the terminals as shown:

It is a type 038, 36 Ah, 320 A. Some of the links kicking around are outdated- has anyone had to find one this size recently?
These two-
http://www.thebatteryshop.co.uk/yuasa-12v-45ah-400...
https://www.tayna.co.uk/46B24RS-Numax-Car-Battery-...
May fit at a push, but look too wide/deep.