What battery?
What battery?
Author
Discussion

ehasler

Original Poster:

8,579 posts

312 months

Thursday 20th March 2008
quotequote all
I've done a search, but can't find this in the archives.

What battery is best for a Tuscan?

Apparently, these batteries will fit - the Optima Red Top looks good, but I'm a bit concerned by the lower Ah rating. Has anyone got any experience of any of these?

This one also looks good, but it's a bit bigger - does anyone know if it would fit?

Edited by ehasler on Thursday 20th March 12:54

pete

1,634 posts

313 months

Thursday 20th March 2008
quotequote all
My 2003 has an 096R sized battery, still the TVR branded original. The "R" is important, otherwise +ve and -ve terminals will be the wrong way around. When I thought I needed a new one, I identified the nearest replacement as a Varta 574 013 068. 74Ah capacity, 680A cold cranking current.

As usual, that's only a recommendation based on my car - yours may have been fitted with something completely different!

Cheers,
Pete

Steve_T

6,356 posts

301 months

Thursday 20th March 2008
quotequote all
If you don't want to spend mega money, a Bosch silver battery from Costco might do the trick. A problem is that Costco don't carry the correct terminal configuration for the Cerb or I'd have bought one. I don't know if the Tuscan fitment has this problem. There are some discussions on Optima versus Odyssey batteries in various off roader forums if you want to compare them in more detail.

Steve.

optimal noise

544 posts

248 months

Thursday 20th March 2008
quotequote all
I picked one up for £69.50 where some places were quoting £110 Exactly the same battery as in my 53 plate with a different sticker on it.

The Pits 0208 807 8453 In Edmonton North London

ehasler

Original Poster:

8,579 posts

312 months

Monday 21st April 2008
quotequote all
I finally got round to replacing it this weekend, and found that the original is a type 072 battery. I bought one from Halfords, but this one has the mounting lugs on the long sides of the battery, whereas the car is designed for a battery with the mounting lugs on the short sides.

Does anyone happen to know of a supplier in the East London area who stocks a 072 with the lugs in the correct position?

Fume Troll

4,389 posts

241 months

Monday 21st April 2008
quotequote all
Sounds a bit odd. The battery in mine was an 072, but the poles are on the long side, not the short. If they were on the short side it would be incredibly hard to disconnect the terminals with the battery in its enclosure...

Cheers,

FT.

ehasler

Original Poster:

8,579 posts

312 months

Monday 21st April 2008
quotequote all
By mounting lugs, I mean the strips of plastic on the bottom where you clamp the battery down, not the terminals.

E.g., this is like the one I got from Halfords - there is a strip along the long side, but the short side is smooth.

What I need is the opposite.

Fume Troll

4,389 posts

241 months

Monday 21st April 2008
quotequote all
ehasler said:
By mounting lugs, I mean the strips of plastic on the bottom where you clamp the battery down, not the terminals.

E.g., this is like the one I got from Halfords - there is a strip along the long side, but the short side is smooth.

What I need is the opposite.
Ahhh! Sorry, I totally misunderstood you!

Cheers,

FT.

XTR2Turbo

1,538 posts

260 months

Monday 21st April 2008
quotequote all
It may not be the same on all years. My brother bought a 96R a few weeks back based on the suggestions on here and it was too large for his 01 car. A 92R did fit. slightly shorter. Note the battery would fit in the space but not fit properly in the mounting tray at the bottom.

My suggestion would be to take your old battery out first if you can to double check the size.

David

pete said:
My 2003 has an 096R sized battery, still the TVR branded original. The "R" is important, otherwise +ve and -ve terminals will be the wrong way around. When I thought I needed a new one, I identified the nearest replacement as a Varta 574 013 068. 74Ah capacity, 680A cold cranking current.

As usual, that's only a recommendation based on my car - yours may have been fitted with something completely different!

Cheers,
Pete

ehasler

Original Poster:

8,579 posts

312 months

Monday 21st April 2008
quotequote all
XTR2Turbo said:
My suggestion would be to take your old battery out first if you can to double check the size.
I have done this - the existing battery is an 072, but the mounting lugs are on the "wrong" sides compared to most other 072 batteries available.

ec1 eex

400 posts

271 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2008
quotequote all
My battery seems to have died. I got a jump start on Sunday and all was well whilst driving, but today it's dead again. Only showing 10V on the dash. I would have expected the battery to have charged up enough on Sunday while I was driving it. Pretty sure the alternator is working as dash shows 13.7V whilst running, and it was fine to start up after being parked for 2 hours on Sunday.

I guess I'll have to invest in a trolley jack now. Should certainly be cheaper than the 1 hours labour a TVR dealer has quoted me at £75+VAT. Just to change a battery ffs!

edited to correct my grammar!

Edited by ec1 eex on Tuesday 22 April 21:28