Banner battery instructions?
Discussion
Does anyone know where I can find user instructions for the battery that was delivered with my kit? I've searched online and can't find anything.
It's a Banner Starting Bull 53034.
My Caterham manual says that the battery is maintenance free. But when I have seen completed cars the battery has a venting pipe connected. This suggests that electrolyte can escape. But if that's the case then I would expect the electrolyte will need topping up? I've never had a battery with a venting pipe before and am a bit confused.
Thanks.
It's a Banner Starting Bull 53034.
My Caterham manual says that the battery is maintenance free. But when I have seen completed cars the battery has a venting pipe connected. This suggests that electrolyte can escape. But if that's the case then I would expect the electrolyte will need topping up? I've never had a battery with a venting pipe before and am a bit confused.
Thanks.
I guess if you use the car really regularly then they should last a reasonable time, I think the warranty is 4 or 5 years.
In my experience though, those Banners are definitely not maintenance free, particularly if you keep it on a trickle charge.
If you keep it on a trickle charge then you should periodically check the water levels in each cell as they can start to dry out. I check mine every 4 months or so but then my car is barely seeing 500 miles a year use.
When you take the caps off you will see a little metal prong inside the cell which indicates where the fluid needs to sit. Just top up to that level with distilled water as required.
One thing to note is that Banners are very difficult to revive if they do die.
Cheers
SS
In my experience though, those Banners are definitely not maintenance free, particularly if you keep it on a trickle charge.
If you keep it on a trickle charge then you should periodically check the water levels in each cell as they can start to dry out. I check mine every 4 months or so but then my car is barely seeing 500 miles a year use.
When you take the caps off you will see a little metal prong inside the cell which indicates where the fluid needs to sit. Just top up to that level with distilled water as required.
One thing to note is that Banners are very difficult to revive if they do die.
Cheers
SS
More or less. You can get properly sealed LA batteries but they are pricey. The original Mazda MX 5 one in the boot is one. Most replacements do need a vent.
It's not a problem in a Caterham because the battery is in the engine bay and ventilated. Lots of owners fit a gel type when the Banner inevitably dies.
It's not a problem in a Caterham because the battery is in the engine bay and ventilated. Lots of owners fit a gel type when the Banner inevitably dies.
I've had a Banner battery in Caterham's for years (note to self.....upgrade !!). They aren't great and should be considered on the list of consumables like tyres :-)
They've all had vent pipes in.
Check the battery every 6 months to ensure they are to the mark as above. Vent pipe in mine runs directly down from the vent hole (closest to the centre of the car) to a cm or so below the chassis.
They've all had vent pipes in.
Check the battery every 6 months to ensure they are to the mark as above. Vent pipe in mine runs directly down from the vent hole (closest to the centre of the car) to a cm or so below the chassis.
Have to agree with Graham, I really don't think the Banner batteries are especially bad- they just get a tough life in Caterhams, generally experiencing a perfect storm of infrequent seasonal use, long periods unused in cold garages, drain from immobiliser etc.
Gel batteries suffer all this just the same, neither type likes being discharged, both will benefit from use of a conditioner plus disconnecting and bringing indoors if the car is to be unused for months at a time.
Gel batteries suffer all this just the same, neither type likes being discharged, both will benefit from use of a conditioner plus disconnecting and bringing indoors if the car is to be unused for months at a time.
Note to self....don't upgrade then :-)
To be honest, I do keep mine on a conditioner in the winter and have t really had problems other than a "relatively" short life. Mine usually last ~3 years. Usually failing when I forget to plug it in or turn the plug off at the wall and forget about in winter !
To be honest, I do keep mine on a conditioner in the winter and have t really had problems other than a "relatively" short life. Mine usually last ~3 years. Usually failing when I forget to plug it in or turn the plug off at the wall and forget about in winter !
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff