Best Battery to replace old unit with

[jimbo1812]

This may have been posted before so don't shoot me.......
what is the best battery to use and what have other owners used.

[ButtonIt]

I bought a Yuasa one about two years ago, and through neglect and leaving it flat etc it's now buggered. Won't hold a charge at all, even after "reconditioning" with my new C-Tek unit. Costly mistake.

I'd also be interested to hear about a good replacement since I'm currently driving around with a giant caravan battery in my passenger footwell

[anonymous-user]

I've got a nine year old Banner Starting Bull battery in my SL, which is still going strong, wasn't cheap, but worth every penny.

[ChimpofDarkness]

The best battery is most definitely an Odyssey PC1500.

But you'll pay £220.00 for one.

Well you did say "Best Battery".

[jimbo1812]

OK what i should have said then is what would someome recommend

[Hoofa]

bit not sure about gel batts, I have tried two makes, optima red top, exide maxima, and all have failed, this is using the top of the range ctec charger. I must be unlucky, now on my third, my advice just get a good bosch battery !

[ChimpofDarkness]

jimbo1812 said:

OK what i should have said then is what would someome recommend

Honestly I recommend the Odyssey PC1500.

I think the question is...

What's your budget?

The best is seldom cheap, "best value" however is the fine art of achieving the best balance between quality & price.

If you can stretch to an AGM battery (can be found for £120.00) I would say you'll be getting best value.

But ultimately it all boils down to what you want & how much you want to spend.

Have you considered the Braille brand?

This lithium one looks perfect & it's only $2400.00 before delivery & taxes

http://www.braillebattery.com/index.php/braille/pr...

[Sardonicus]

Exide or Bosch Silver. Euro Car Parts do them at a good price.

[SILICONEKID340HP]

I strongly recommend replacing your battery with a Bosch silver S4 026 70AH ,its fits snug in the box .Mine came with a 4 year warranty .. £56.45

Its going in the van tonight ,hope the little Odyssey PC9 25 holds out

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3+Series_1.8...

Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Tuesday 4th December 19:07

[ChimpofDarkness]

Here's a good value good quality AGM battery but it'll be a tight fit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Varta-Ultra-E39-AGM-Heav...

If you can squeeze it in £110 (delivered) for a 760 cold cranking amp AGM battery is an absolute bargain if you ask me.


Alternatively the smaller 068 that will definitely fit.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VARTA-560-901-068-UK-PAR...


Both are AGM, both are designed to cope with cars with stop start technology which is very punishing on a battery & would kill a traditional wet battery in weeks.

My Odessey PC1500 fits in the Chimaera battery box a treat, the dimensions of this battery are:

Length: 275.6 mm
Width: 171.7 mm
Height: 198.6 mm

The dimensions for the bargain 096 Varta Ultra are:

Length: 278 mm
Width: 175 mm
Height: 190 mm

So there's only a few mm in it, & I seem to remember there was a few mm of room to play with when I fitted the PC1500, so it could be it'll just squeeze in there.

If you find it doesn't I'd just delete the box altogether, fit two Tie Down D Rings in the floor and strap your super duper bargain AGM battery in with a cheap ratchet strap.

£80 for a decent quality regular wet battery or an extra £30 for a brand name AGM one

Well worth the extra £30 if you ask me

Edited by ChimpofDarkness on Tuesday 4th December 19:47

[ButtonIt]

Can you use a battery conditioner/trickle charger with an AGM battery? Just read that overcharging them kills them.

http://www.powercell.co.uk/contact-us/articles/wha...

[Hoofa]

Well you have to check, I used the ctek charger which should be ok on a AGM style battery, as mine is always kept on trickle charge when not in use, still managed to go through two AGM batts in three years ! My Bosch silver top lasted five years !

[Sardonicus]

I honestly dont understand whats wrong with a standard OE spec TVR fitted battery and about 55 squids, i have had my battery on my car for nearly six years now and never had any cranking issues. Unless of course you have money to burn.

[SILICONEKID340HP]

Sardonicus said:

I honestly dont understand whats wrong with a standard OE spec TVR fitted battery and about 55 squids, i have had my battery on my car for nearly six years now and never had any cranking issues. Unless of course you have money to burn.

I agree ! the one i purchased is slightly larger with more cranking amps , made by Bosch, so at £55 ish its worth every penny ..

Edited by SILICONEKID340HP on Tuesday 4th December 22:57

[brett84]

i've got a PC 925, really small but works a treat

[SILICONEKID340HP]

brett84 said:

i've got a PC 925, really small but works a treat

Brett i have the same battery ,do you have a crimp of some sort i could borrow for beer tokens ..Im doing the battery in the boot thing cheers daz

[brett84]

SILICONEKID340HP said:

Brett i have the same battery ,do you have a crimp of some sort i could borrow for beer tokens ..Im doing the battery in the boot thing cheers daz

Hey Daz I didn't use a big crimp tool, I just got some terminals from VWP, closed/clamped in the vice then soldered with blow torch. I couldn't find anyone to lend me a crimp big enough
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinest...

[SILICONEKID340HP]

brett84 said:

SILICONEKID340HP said:

Brett i have the same battery ,do you have a crimp of some sort i could borrow for beer tokens ..Im doing the battery in the boot thing cheers daz

Hey Daz I didn't use a big crimp tool, I just got some terminals from VWP, closed/clamped in the vice then soldered with blow torch. I couldn't find anyone to lend me a crimp big enough
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinest...

Thanks did you replace any ground and live cables near the starter motor ,icluding a new fuse holder ?.

[sgrimshaw]

brett84 said:

i've got a PC 925, really small but works a treat

Me too, relocated to the boot.

[Bassfiend]

ChimpofDarkness said:

The best battery is most definitely an Odyssey PC1500.

But you'll pay £220.00 for one.

Well you did say "Best Battery".

Anyone know whether the PC1500 will fit in the space on top of the fuel tank? I was toying with putting a pair of PC925s up there in parallel.

Phil