Battery suggestions

[EuropaJPS]

Hi guys,

I did a search on the forum which didn't really reveal the answer I was looking for so...

I started the car on Saturday and with the cold weather we have had, took a couple of attempts to start and keep my car running. Whilst turning the car over, the cranking speed seemed a bit slow for my liking - which is down to the battery not really being man enough for the job, plus it's age!

I was wondering what would be a suitable battery upgrade for the car. I'd really like one with a higher CCA rating to increase the cranking speed.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a suitable replacement?

Many thanks

[Grumblebuns]

With the Twin Cam, you're limited in the physical size of battery you can fit in the stock location due to the close proximity of the fuel tank. My TCS came with a new group 26R battery. Unfortunately the PO had fabricated a half assed hold down clamp which allowed the battery to move around a bit with one corner of the  battery contacting the fuel tank. I removed that 26R and temporarily installed an Odyssey PC630 battery in its place. With a gear reduction starter also installed, it handles the starting duty just fine. The starter motor spins like a turbine.

If higher cranking speed is what you're after, maybe installing a gear reduction starter is the way to go.

I'm working on fabricating a SS battery box for the 26R to re-install back in the TCS. Here is a website with group numbers and physical dimensions for various batteries.

http://www.batteryweb.com/bci.cfm

Joji Tokumoto

[BDA]

^ +1

[EuropaTC]

I have a standard Bosch Silver battery in mine but there are drawbacks.   

Firstly it's got modern terminals rather than the original flat ones the car came with, so that's an obvious and very visual change required.  Secondly I fabricated a custom hold-down arrangement, again no big deal but it all hinges on if you want originality or not.   However it does fit in the space quite well, in fact it's tight enough that I doubt it would move even if it wasn't bolted down.

I seem to recall it is type 063 as this one but if it's of interest I can confirm it tomorrow. (snow and way toooo cold to venture out just now ! )

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/accessories-car-batteries/car-batteries/most-popular-car-battery/063-car-batteries/?444770637&0&cc5_993

The link gives dimensions & cold cranking values. If you want something a touch more then 075 is a fraction longer but with higher output.

Brian

Edit to add - I don't doubt that a modern battery will crank faster but the other thing that might be worth checking is the state of the engine earth cables ?

[EuropaJPS]

I have a standard Bosch Silver battery in mine but there are drawbacks.   

Firstly it's got modern terminals rather than the original flat ones the car came with, so that's an obvious and very visual change required.  Secondly I fabricated a custom hold-down arrangement, again no big deal but it all hinges on if you want originality or not.   However it does fit in the space quite well, in fact it's tight enough that I doubt it would move even if it wasn't bolted down.

I seem to recall it is type 063 as this one but if it's of interest I can confirm it tomorrow. (snow and way toooo cold to venture out just now ! )

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/accessories-car-batteries/car-batteries/most-popular-car-battery/063-car-batteries/?444770637&0&cc5_993

The link gives dimensions & cold cranking values. If you want something a touch more then 075 is a fraction longer but with higher output.

Brian

Edit to add - I don't doubt that a modern battery will crank faster but the other thing that might be worth checking is the state of the engine earth cables ?

I'll have a check on the earth - I would assume it is ok due to the recent restoration but I'll check to be sure - thanks for the suggestion.

The battery itself is very old - I'd hate to guess at its age, but it is well past it's prime!! I'm sure a direct replacement i.e. like for like would improve the cranking speed.

Many thanks for all your suggestions!

[Runningwild]

I use the Miata battery in my MGB and will put one in my Europa.  Small with plenty of power.

[EuropaJPS]

I use the Miata battery in my MGB and will put one in my Europa.  Small with plenty of power.

Can I ask what battery that is please RunningWild?

[3929R]

What Joji said......  I've been very happy with my Odyssey PC630. I do have a gear reduction starter. 

[2483R]

Batteries were a big problem for a Ropa TC. The original group size which came in the TC cannot be found, I always assumed it was because it hasn’t been made for decades. Because of the odd size of the battery box, the only batteries which fit were lawn mower/wheelchair batteries, with very low power. I used to replace my battery every 2 years, because they would seldom last much longer.

Happily, a new group size, 51R, was created a few for Hondas and other compacts a few years back. It is very close to original battery dimensions, terminals in the right place, and can be found with ample power. Not sure about the UK, but in the states you can find a 51R anywhere, at reasonable prices. I recommend it.

[BDA]

Yeah, I must have missed that problem since my car was off the road for 20 years or so. When I finally got my car together and went to get a battery, the guy at the parts store recognized the original battery size as obsolete and sold me an equivalent sized battery (I haven checked my battery but 51R sounds like the size I got). In addition to standard and Odyssey, Optima also maked the right size.

About the Optima, the guy who rebuilt my alternator was not a fan. I never had a problem, though.

[jjbunn]

I'm using a small lawnmower battery in mine, although I can't vouch for its long term suitability in terms of driving (my car is still off the road), it certainly readily cranks the engine over. And it fits very easily in the designated space.



Julian

[Runningwild]

The miata battery I use for my MGB is a Westco sealed and sold through Moss motors. It's small and plenty of power. Iran on putting one in my europa S2

[Mike Mileski]

If I still had a Europa I'd think I'd be considering using Braille GU1R, which I'll be installing in my LS powered 240Z as soon as I get it back on the road. Like a Europa, it's small and light (6.6 lbs) but quite expensive. Most all of the top race teams in most sanctioning bodies use Brailles. I've only heard good things about them.

Mike Mileski
Tucson, AZ

[Grumblebuns]

If I still had a Europa I'd think I'd be considering using Braille GU1R, which I'll be installing in my LS powered 240Z as soon as I get it back on the road. Like a Europa, it's small and light (6.6 lbs) but quite expensive. Most all of the top race teams in most sanctioning bodies use Brailles. I've only heard good things about them.

Mike Mileski
Tucson, AZ

You weren't kidding about the Braille being expensive. I thought the Odyssey was a bit pricey at $110 but when I saw the price of the Braille at $580, not sure for a street car I'd want to spend that much money.

The advantages of the Braille and Odyssey are the small size and low weight of both. The disadvantage, at least for the Odyssey from personal experience is the low cranking reserve. On my S2 with the OEM starter, I could only get around 3-4 starting attempts before the Odyssey went kaput and had to be recharged. This was a cold weather start. On the TCS with the gear reduction starter, I could go at least seven start attempts. The car started on the seventh attempt but I'm suspecting the battery could have handled several more attempts, the starter motor wasn't slowing down at all.

[jbcollier]

So go with a bigger Odyssey.  I did.