Discussion
Battery has had it after 7 years. Been on trickle charger but doesn’t hold enough charge to crank it over from a cold start.
Age old question, which one should get? I know it’s an 072 and needs approx 600 CCA but am I just as well getting a 5 year Halfords one as anything else? It’s a battery, after all.
Age old question, which one should get? I know it’s an 072 and needs approx 600 CCA but am I just as well getting a 5 year Halfords one as anything else? It’s a battery, after all.
That really depends on what you want from it and, of course, how much you are prepared to spend.
A cheap battery may do you well for a few years.
I am a great believer in that when you really need a decent battery, you really do need a decent battery and there is no substitute for amp hours and Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).
If it is a cold wet night and you left the lights on, or it has sat for a few weeks, there really is no substitute for a decent battery.
Personally, I don't like the idea of having to plug the car into the mains if you are not using it. Why should you have to?
I have an Odyssey PC1500 in mine. It has never gone flat and never been on charge, and the car often sits for two or three weeks at a time. I also expect it to last for 15 or more years. The downside is that it will cost about five times the amount of a budget battery. But compare the amp hours and CCA, and keep in mind the PC1500 doesn't mind being flattened, while regularly flattening a budget battery will shorten its life considerably.
I am not saying the PC 1500 is the best, or indeed the answer for everyone. Look also at Optima batteries, which are almost as good, and a bit cheaper.
Or, if you just want a cheap battery, then fit a cheap battery. After all, as you say, it is only a battery.
A cheap battery may do you well for a few years.
I am a great believer in that when you really need a decent battery, you really do need a decent battery and there is no substitute for amp hours and Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).
If it is a cold wet night and you left the lights on, or it has sat for a few weeks, there really is no substitute for a decent battery.
Personally, I don't like the idea of having to plug the car into the mains if you are not using it. Why should you have to?
I have an Odyssey PC1500 in mine. It has never gone flat and never been on charge, and the car often sits for two or three weeks at a time. I also expect it to last for 15 or more years. The downside is that it will cost about five times the amount of a budget battery. But compare the amp hours and CCA, and keep in mind the PC1500 doesn't mind being flattened, while regularly flattening a budget battery will shorten its life considerably.
I am not saying the PC 1500 is the best, or indeed the answer for everyone. Look also at Optima batteries, which are almost as good, and a bit cheaper.
Or, if you just want a cheap battery, then fit a cheap battery. After all, as you say, it is only a battery.
My PC1100 CCA 500 (smaller Racing Battery) has just died after 5 years , a little disappointed it didn't last longer for nearly £200 . Although it has been struggling to hold charge for the last 6 months … Accumate light started turning green quicker than expected (same with both Accummates that I have .. so not a problem there) .
My Chimaera has a Banner Bull starter battery fitted. I'm not particularly loyal to any specific brand, but after 2 weeks without starting my car, the battery had 11.97V, and yet the car started! (I didn't disconnect it so the terminal no load voltage may have been just above 12V)
I was pleasantly surprised by this, since most charts will say that it must have only had about 10% charge with that voltage. Its a type 075 (terminals the other way round to the 072 so the connections are even more award to reach, being on the back of the battery as fitted, closest to the footwell wall). they're £51.40 at Tanya plus delivery:
https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/banner/55519...
Although mine has 60Ah and 480 CCA written on it so specs have changed.
I was pleasantly surprised by this, since most charts will say that it must have only had about 10% charge with that voltage. Its a type 075 (terminals the other way round to the 072 so the connections are even more award to reach, being on the back of the battery as fitted, closest to the footwell wall). they're £51.40 at Tanya plus delivery:
https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/banner/55519...
Although mine has 60Ah and 480 CCA written on it so specs have changed.
Edited by ianwayne on Sunday 24th February 19:40
By way of closure to this post, I have just bought a Yuasa 5000 battery with a 5 year guarantee. 75 amp hours and 640 CCA. My TVR specialist recommended this make and with a 5 year warranty, what's not to like. Quite pricey at Halfrauds but with an AA 10% discount it helped bring the price down.
Thanks for all the replies and Duncan, I really agree that the battery isn't a part to scrimp on. (Which bit is on these cars?) The 'it's only a battery' remark was to provoke reaction.
However, the car is mainly (but not exclusively) used in the summer and is rarely out on cold dark nights.
The old battery (bought by the previous owner to get the car going at point of sale) was an 'Oldham Advance 072' unit. Never heard of it but it lasted well. Slight rookie error though that I had thought it was a sealed unit. Not so and when I removed a couple of the caps, the plates were bone dry. Probably some distilled water and a good charge would have got it going again but I'd already made my purchase by then.
Removal and replacement, 10 minutes. (Yep, the battery lives in the boot these days.
) Happy Tivving to all.
Thanks for all the replies and Duncan, I really agree that the battery isn't a part to scrimp on. (Which bit is on these cars?) The 'it's only a battery' remark was to provoke reaction.
However, the car is mainly (but not exclusively) used in the summer and is rarely out on cold dark nights.The old battery (bought by the previous owner to get the car going at point of sale) was an 'Oldham Advance 072' unit. Never heard of it but it lasted well. Slight rookie error though that I had thought it was a sealed unit. Not so and when I removed a couple of the caps, the plates were bone dry. Probably some distilled water and a good charge would have got it going again but I'd already made my purchase by then.
Removal and replacement, 10 minutes. (Yep, the battery lives in the boot these days.
) Happy Tivving to all.
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