Which way round is your battery?

Which way round is your battery?

Author
Discussion

adam quantrill

Original Poster:

11,538 posts

242 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
quotequote all
Seems like my battery if finally getting to the end of its life.

So I started looking here on PH and it seems most people fit type 072?

Then I looked online and the pictures implied it's the "other way around" to my one.

Further looking on here shows up some pictures e.g.:



Where the earth strap and '-' is nearer the rear of the car. On mine the + and - are the other way around.

Currently (sic) I'm not sure it the leads will stretch to crossing over. So if I want to keep the same configuration I guess I don't want an 072. There's another good reason for this too - on mine the header tank has been relocated (by Haughin's/DPR) to next to the battery, and it's a metal one, and it touches or is very close to battery "-" which is safe. So I don't want to swap back over.


Looking on the tinternet it seems maybe an 069 is what I need.


Edited by adam quantrill on Wednesday 9th January 14:15

ianwayne

6,284 posts

268 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
quotequote all
If the +ve and -ve leads can reach either terminal without stressing then it doesn't matter.

The 072 is standard fit in the Chimaera, Griffith and Cerbera too but many owners had fitted alternatives without issues. In my Chimaera, the +ve lead would not reach far enough over but on some cars it will. The CCA rating is more important really!

colin mee

1,179 posts

120 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
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colin mee

1,179 posts

120 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
quotequote all
Hope this helps.try and get the same size as you have as they can be a squeeze to get in

adam quantrill

Original Poster:

11,538 posts

242 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
quotequote all
Ahh Colin's is the same as mine!

Yeah I suppose it doesn't matter in one way but as I said with the metalwork in close proximity to one terminal, I would rather that was -ve to minimise the chances of a short.

Looks like 069 is also the wrong way around for me, I need 065 or 075.

Incidentally what are these new-fangled "Calcium" batteries are they any good? Maybe lighter than lead-acid, but what about longevity?

Mine so far has lasted about 7 or 8 years I reckon. It's lead-acid with top-up capability.

Penelope Stopit

11,209 posts

109 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
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The best position is the one that gives the positive the nicest run, the nicest run is the shortest run

Grady

1,221 posts

260 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
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For what it worth, mine (in the States) has the negative terminal at the rear (bulkhead) but both leads also have rubber boots.

mark387mw

2,177 posts

267 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
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Here’s mine and interestingly the battery terminals are toward the inner wing side rather than engine bay side. It’s always been this way since I bought it.

Currently, no pun, I have a DIN53 battery fitted which is doing well.


BIG DUNC

1,918 posts

223 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
quotequote all
If you want something that will last look at Optima it Odyssey. Both are available with terminals either way round, although both will be expensive.

If you have a decent rubber boot over the position (which you should have anyway) there is no danger of a short.

If the lead isn’t long enough, then it is not that difficult to fit a new longer one (and make it heavier at the same time).

adam quantrill

Original Poster:

11,538 posts

242 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
quotequote all
Cheers dunc but I can think of better ways to spend £269!!! ;^)

mk2 24v

646 posts

164 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
quotequote all
Optima red or yellow top sold by Tayna batteries on Ebay was 168quid last year. And they have the terminals protruding out the top and set onboard from the edges, so less chance of owt catching or shorting out on them cool

BIG DUNC

1,918 posts

223 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
quotequote all
adam quantrill said:
Cheers dunc but I can think of better ways to spend £269!!! ;^)
Agree they are expensive, but last for ever (well, almost) and super capacity.



adam quantrill

Original Poster:

11,538 posts

242 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
quotequote all
Interestingly I did order from Tanya but their cheapo end of the range.

Unfortunately these days thay are sealed but I shall eventually add top-up capability as that's what usually does for them.

Also I'll pull my finger out and add a sidelight warning buzzer (when ignition turned off) as that's the other thiing they don't like - a prolonged discharge while parked at work..... it's those foggy mornings that catch me out.

BIG DUNC

1,918 posts

223 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
quotequote all
That is where the Odyssey / Optima are so good. They are deep cycle so care a lot less about being completely flattened, and because of their capacity, you can leave side lights on all day / night and the car still starts after. (Never tried it with headlights).

But yes, super expensive, and probably over kill for a TVR.

mrzigazaga

18,553 posts

165 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
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Hi Adam

I use Tayna...I bought a Varta silverline..you are better off measuring the space you have...yes its a squeeze...honk honk...smile

gmw9666

2,735 posts

200 months

Friday 11th January 2019
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From the owners manual if it helps


adam quantrill

Original Poster:

11,538 posts

242 months

Tuesday 15th January 2019
quotequote all
Not really, as it's the other way atound.

Well the Tanya battery arrived just today after being delayed by Friday's Bra Burning protest on the A14 that brought Cambridge traffic to a halt.

Despite Tanya saying it was sealed maintenance free, it does in fact have 6 unscrewable ports for topping up. Win-win.

All I have to do now is shoehorn it in!

adam quantrill

Original Poster:

11,538 posts

242 months

Tuesday 15th January 2019
quotequote all
Well after a little bit of jiggling, it's in.

Reconnected the terminals, turned over nice and fast and normal service is resumed.

Back on the road tomorrow!

reb266

58 posts

121 months

Wednesday 16th January 2019
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gmw9666 said:
From the owners manual if it helps

Hi gmw9666, could you send me a copy (pdf) of the wedge owner ? It is impossible to find it in France

adam quantrill

Original Poster:

11,538 posts

242 months

Wednesday 16th January 2019
quotequote all
You can order online delivery to europe from http://www.shpub.co.uk/

Get it now before Brexit!