Battery replacement

[chimhunter]

Time to bite the bullet and replace the batter this weekend. I've found a very useful guide on PH but I'm a little confused about the battery.

Spoke to someone at FIAuto centres who was going on about special batteries, removing wiring looms (which is bollocks) and other crap. So I'm not using them.

Then spoke to Halfords about buying a battery. I want a type 72 630 amp crank rating. They have some 650 amp battery that is apparently 'slightly larger than a normal car battery'. Its suitable for Mercs, BMWs and other cars that use a lot of juice. But is it suitable for the Chim? Any other tips for getting hold of a battery for tomorrow?

Thanks,

Rob

[chim1974]

Costco (if you have a card) have Bosch batteries and quote TVR models. A lot cheaper than Halfords also

[Steve_T]

Sounds ok on crank rating, but what size is it compared to a normal 072 battery? Also, you might want to try Bracknell Tyre and Battery, they're certainly good on prices for tyres, so got to be worth a call (Tel: [phone]).

Cheers,
Steve.

>> Edited by Steve_T on Friday 11th February 14:44

[tello]

bought one two weeks ago and got a Lucas battery from a local motorshop.He had a book for what type of battery I needed and cost me 59.99 with 4 year guarantee.forget Halfords to expensiv and c%$p.

[chimhunter]

Cheers guys. Bracknel have got them for £40. Bargain. Down there tomorrow (unfortunately not in the Chim) to pick it up!

Now, next thing. Apparently there is a restraining plate across the top of the box that is rivited on. I'll need to drill the rivets out to get it off. What can I re-fix it with afterwards?

Thanks,

Rob

[tello]

40 nickers is a bargain wat make is it.

[wolosp]

chimhunter said:

Now, next thing. Apparently there is a restraining plate across the top of the box that is rivited on. I'll need to drill the rivets out to get it off. What can I re-fix it with afterwards?

I used a coule of tie-wraps looped through the rivet holes....did the job, and easy to remove with cutters.

[chimhunter]

Thanks. Might just have to do that. Would ties be strong enough in case of a shunt?

[sparkythecat]

chimhunter said:

Thanks. Might just have to do that. Would ties be strong enough in case of a shunt?

Don't worry - the box is that deep the battery won't go anywhere unless you turn the car upside down!

[mongoose]

if you think youll keep the car for some years yet,then buy a completely maintainance free battery.most so called maintainance free batterys can still be topped up via the six cell caps on top,and i now avoid these. i once bought a lucas 3yr maintainance free battery and it packed up after 2 years as the electrolyte got low.-"didnt you keep it topped up"? said the man at the lucas centre when i returned it under warranty."its maintainance free"said i .the fact was that they still need topping up occasionally.given the great difficulty/impossiblity of this task(impossible if you have the later retainer over the battery),and how much hassle it is to change the battery,its wise to fit the type of battery that cant be topped up,thus the electrolyte wont escape like it does in one with access to the cells.i bought a "delphi freedom" battery for mine(700cca and has the vent pipe attachment).



>> Edited by mongoose on Saturday 12th February 08:53