Battery Help Needed

[Darren]

Hi Guys,

Need to buy a battery for my series 1 and need some advice. Can someone point me in the right direction or let me have some dimensions to be working with, as my car has never had one on board.

Cheers guys

Darren

[cthargiss]

Darren,
The S1 will accept a group 24, group42, or Optima red top.I highly recommend the Optima.
Craig

[SubGothius]

Agreed here about the Optima or similar "six pack" type of spiral-wound dry-cell (e.g., Exide Orbital). In a FWD Beta, you have to turn it on its side (perfectly safe w/ a non-spill dry-cell ;) ) in order to fit it properly without shorting the terminals across the hood :o , but I don't know if that same caveat applies for a Scorpicarlo. While you're at it, get one of those "green knob" quick-disconnects for the (-) ground/earth terminal, for those "rare" times you'd want to isolate the battery while working on the car. 8)

I got a good deal (1/2 retail!) on a barely-used Optima Redtop via eBay. They can be shipped via FedEx Ground or Express air, so long as they are securely packed and clearly marked as "NON-SPILLABLE BATTERY" (there's a FedEx pamphlet that specifically details this). Mine wasn't -- it was just thrown into a too-big box with no padding whatsoever -- so I had to pull some strings (FedEx Kinko's is my dayjob ::) ) to prevent it getting Returned to Shipper, and when I got it, the box was barely-there and the Redtop was a bit dinged-up, yet it still works just fine.

[Darren]

Cheers for the input guys - just had a look on UK ebay and there are a couple of there - just a quick question - what size am I looking for, or model for the optima?

Thanks again

Darren

[A1.6HPE]

Yo Darren!
I am 100% certain that the S2 and S1 battery compartment is the same. Here are pictures of my battery which also fits Betas and Deltas. It is 210mm wide, 180mm deep and 185 mm tall. All dimensions are maximum/overall.
Our American cousins talk about Group numbers but we don't seem to do that in the UK - good old Halfords [4 year warranty and they only last 3.5 years :-)) ]

Leo
Label (http://lancisti.net/mkportal/modules/gallery2/index.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=28696)
Battery (http://lancisti.net/mkportal/modules/gallery2/index.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=28693)

[Darren]

Cheers Leo,

Think I'll go with your advice for the time being and get meself down Halfords. I'll have to put pennies by to save up for a red top - or spend that money elsewhere for the time being!! ;o)

Cheers mate!

Darren

[montecarlo]

hi darren sorry to send this this way but am having probs with e mails
my address is 81 balcombe avenue worthing sussex bn14 7rs
cheers steve

[Will]

Very unhappy with my Red Top Optima. Three years of occasional use, was allowed to go flat a few times, managed to boil itself the last time I tried to charge it. And it was relatively expensive.

So, am I getting a Yellow top? Hell no. My next battery will be a Genesis G16EP. Only 18AH, but if that concerns you, you can fit two of them in the stock battery location and have room left over. The Genesis, or the Odysey PC680 are essentially the same battery, and at around $80 they are cheaper than the Optima. Kinda makes mw wonder why anybody buys the Optima, but then again I did, so I guess Hawker's just not doing a good of gewtting the word out via their marketing department.

[Darren]

Hi Steve,

Sorry not been about for a couple of days - yep got the address and will get the airbox in the post to you tomorrow! ;o)

Will,

Isn't that a bike battery? I assume it would be powerful enough to use in a car? Will definately bear in mind when my Halfords special packs up! ;o)

Darren

[Will]

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/applications/auto.htm

PC680 is also used for cars, ours are a good choice I reckon (not a lot of electronics, small engine, modest starter) and there are more powerful choices- size and weight of the PC680 is attractive- it's the same battery as the Genesis. I ordered from Portable Power Systems. I'm also going to try an X-1/9 starter to see if I can shed a few more pounds off the rear, thanks to a fellow lister for the tip. The startrer spur has less teeeth which concerns me a little, but just have to see what happens.

[Darren]

Cheers for the info Will - will definately bear it in mind for the next battery! And look forward to hearing how you get on with an X1/9 starter motor!

Darren