Batteries!

[TVRTRICEY]

Hi wedgers!

Can anyone share their experience on batteries for their series 1 350i's? As we know the space is small. the one I have at the moment doesn't seem man enough at 330CA and I think its using all its power to wang the starter motor over, and theres nothing left for any other system. Might help my starting issue.

Heres some I found earlier:

https://www.tayna.co.uk/31M-Westco-MX-5-MX5-Car-Ba...

http://www.autosessive.com/products/56172/YBX3000-...

Any input would be great.

Tricey

[adam quantrill]

My findings over the years are that:

1. Any cheap battery is adequate for the Rover v8
2. Make sure the earth lead and starter motor lead is clean at both ends.
3. A new modern starter motor will crank over the engine rapidly and it will start quicker.
4. To keep the battery in good condition drive often and get a brand new alternator.

Together you could get a starter motor and alternator for around £120 on the flea which is comparable with an expensive battery, and less than buying two, which is what will happen if you don't address the root cause.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate...I think you need around 450CCA for a 350i..I used to have the MX5 battery in my supercharged V6 and it never let me down...Except when i knocked the interior light on with my knee and covered her up for a few days...The one in the 350i is very tight..And i mean tight..Ill have a look in a bit to see what it was...Cheers...Ziga

[bradderztvr]

The 330SAE/45AH power output is about as big as you will get for the space provided.
I changed mine recently and just went to the local battery supplier with the dimensions of the space and asked for the biggest one they could fit in, and the 330 was the result.
However over the years I have found that as Zig says, either drive it regularly or has a trickle charger attached when not in use (which i do).
A 330 is more than good enough but needs to keep in good condition.
Also going back to the old debate on winking headlights, I have found that since installing the new battery, it tends to resolve the problems, and makes the pods behave a bit better !

[Wedg1e]

My car runs a Yuasa type '069' but I doubt it'd fit in the earlier battery bay... TVR set the inner wing back to create more space once the original TR7 battery was found to be a bit marginal for the V8. Mind you the 069 is tight, it will only come out if you tip it a certain way and jiggle it

[mrzigazaga]

Wedg1e said:

the 069 is tight, it will only come out if you tip it a certain way and jiggle it

That sounds awfully familiar...Mine has to be jiggled at a stupid angle which has resulted in the loss of paint and skin..Sometimes at the same time..Sorry didn't look to see what i have as i have another issues i was trying to sort and it slipped my mind...

[gmw9666]

this is not going to help but.....

the white wedge had the same brand of battery as the 420SE......excel or something from memory.....had green lettering

but the battery on the 350i is no word of a lie a third smaller and can be easily removed from the very tight space no issues

I did think when I got her some joker has put a metro battery in it but given the 350i has a new alternator and a new starter motor even after a week of non use she started no issues

once I get the car back from the garage I can let you know what the battery is.......sorry I told you it was not going to help lol

[MethylatedSpirit]

The main concern is the CCA rating, more than 500 amps is ideal. The ah rating is the amount of time it can sustain cranking.

The wesco has higher starting power, but lower capacity.
The Yuasa has lower starting power, but higher capacity.

[TVRTRICEY]

Interesting views,
This would be ideal! Bit pricey compared.. but good ratings
https://www.tayna.co.uk/31M-Westco-MX-5-MX5-Car-Ba...

[Wedg1e]

MethylatedSpirit said:

The main concern is the CCA rating, more than 500 amps is ideal. The ah rating is the amount of time it can sustain cranking.

The wesco has higher starting power, but lower capacity.
The Yuasa has lower starting power, but higher capacity.

The way I see it, once you know how long your car typically takes to start, you get an idea that if you're cranking for an age there's probably something wrong and continuing to crank probably isn't going to help. On the other hand the ability to sustain a drain for long periods (sidelights left on, alarm, stereo memory, clock, cooling fan running-on) is more useful.

It's not as if you have a carburetted engine where the camshaft-driven diaphragm fuel pump has to prime the carbs when the tank's been run dry; the injection system rail pressure should be up in a couple of seconds. Then a couple more spins of the crank to get some fuel/air into the cylinders and it should be starting.

[mk1fan]

Small battery tray? Why not get a Varley Red Top or Odyssey dry cell battery?

[rev-erend]

Lithium batteries are getting much cheaper and are very small and light. Not long before we fit them to wedges

[mrzigazaga]

TVRTRICEY said:

Interesting views,
This would be ideal! Bit pricey compared.. but good ratings
https://www.tayna.co.uk/31M-Westco-MX-5-MX5-Car-Ba...

Look at 24th review down on the right hand side..(Click on see all reviews)..Someone with a TVR has fitted one before...

[adam quantrill]

rev-erend said:

Lithium batteries are getting much cheaper and are very small and light. Not long before we fit them to wedges

The flea is listing 400A cranking batteries for around £200 so there is a way to go yet.... one to keep an eye on.