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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Which battery

The engine will be going in tomorrow, so we are now at the point of thinking "what is the best battery to use?"

Is there any particular size / type / manufacturer that meets general approval ?
Dominic Clancy

Hi Dominic,

I bought a battery for my car last week. An 038 type is the correct size for my '76 car and probably for all others as well.

You just have to pay attention to which side the terminals are on depending on whether you want the terminals at the front or the back once the battery is installed.

I bought one of these as the cheapest option around. If it needs scrapping in two years so be it but it gets me going for very little outlay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-MICRA-158-038-057-CAR-BATTERY-12V-EXTRA-HEAVY-DUTY-SEALED-BEST-PRICE-INUK-/301070221570?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item46192f0102

Cheers,
Malcolm
M Le Chevalier

Hi,


Got an 015 on my 1500, it's slighty more amp/hour than the usual one.


Bit taller but fits fine.


SR Smith 1

i bought a 063 for mine last week slightly bigger than the 038 terminals at the back away from the clamp and slightly more powerfull and most importantly cheaper.
regards bob.
bob taylor

Ive heard interesting things about ..."value craft batteries"

You should look into those

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

048 or 053 (for 1275)

038 or 015 (for 1500)

in British battery numbering

063 may only fit in(?) if you have the earlier heater

Domonic you could help posters by giving a clue to which model year of car you mean!
Nigel Atkins

yes nigel you could be right there.
bob taylor

Are you guys serious....shaking my head in a Nigel like way....Stay away from valuecraft.
Steven Devine

Never heard of Valuecraft this side of the pond.
Dave O'Neill2

Bob,
I remember fitting an 063 battery in the past but I just remember the number and not what car it went in

I do know it's pretty tight behind my heater box to (048) battery on my latter car with combined heaterbox, the aperture location beneath the box changed when the box did

Steve,
I meant to quote your experience but got called away

personally I'd never buy a cheaply made battery as it's a false economy and one of my pet hates is a car that won't start especially if it's because of the battery as almost 100% it will be the owners fault and not a faulty battery
Nigel Atkins

Nigel

The 063 was popularly used as a 2x6v to 12v conversion on the B, although I prefer the Varta B35/B36 which is a better fit. I'm not sure what the standard battery number is.
Dave O'Neill2

Dave,
did it also fit single battery r/b MGBs if so that's what I'm think of
Nigel Atkins

I've no doubt it would fit the R/B MGB, but wasn't standard fit.
Dave O'Neill2

well it was to turn over a RV8 so perhaps that's why

seller put in a brand new cheap battery at sale and it lasted 18 months so it got changed for a decent battery so perhaps it was the 063(?)

I do remember the cheap battery was £45, he gave me the receipt, and the battery I put in was £70

Nigel Atkins

Nigel
one of my pet hates is a car that won't start especially if it's because of the battery as almost 100% it will be the owners fault and not a faulty battery

Well that excuses me as the car has started everytime...on its own with no jump. I just noticed it had been running down the next day....So I guess Im really being pro active and solving the issue before I have a problem.:-)
Steven Devine

Dominic

As for manufacturer Bosch, and I would imagine this would be easily available in Switzerland. Check out what big name brands and discounts available at your local motor factors. Buy from somewhere that sells a lot of batteries.

And as Nigel and others may say use the car regularly and make sure the charging components, wiring and connections are all in good condition and working well.

Talking of motor factors if you are lucky enough still to have a local independent try them. If not a national chain of motor factors (what is the Swiss equivalent of Unipart/Partco or Eurocarspares?) or a large petrol garage, perhaps a hypermarket (I remember a French hypermarket selling batteries, as well as Costco cash n carry in UK; Wallmart in US?)

If you can crossreference battery numbers with car models (used to be able to do this in a Lucas book) you may find one of the battery numbers in above emails is in a commonly used car where you are, and perhaps good value, and even from a dealer. Something in a Renault Clio, Citroen small van or VW Golf perhaps?

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

i have the early heater box and i have about 2 inches or more clearance with the 063.you talk about cheap batterys. i have a company close to me that i have used for about 35yrs. batterys guaranteed for 3 yrs, think in all that time had to take one back which they exchanged no problem. 063 retail £37.50.the 038 £49. dont know how much trade.
bob.
bob taylor

It is a 1275 with snail heater.

The 063 I use in both the MGA and my daily driver, and I can probably get one in the local supermarket for about $150 USD. Welcome to Switzerland! The motor factors is close to our office and I get 60% rebate on batteries there, so I will have a look there on Friday (today is a public holiday)


Dominic Clancy

Steve,
>>I just noticed it had been running down the next day....So I guess Im really being pro active and solving the issue before I have a problem.:-)<<
nope you're being reactive not pro-active - you first noticed that it had been running down and then reacted to this finding

pro-active is preventing this :)

ask your mate Denys, he's probably one of the most pro-active people you know ;)
Nigel Atkins

Hi Dominic, I have relocated mine to boot. So size
is less critical. same on B and Evo
regards Pete
P C Knightley

Nigee, Nigee....

If I was anymore proactive....Id never know there was a problem. Ha ha ha.
Steven Devine

Steven,
if you were truly proactive then you wouldn't have problems




. . . unless it's your pro-activity that causes the problems
Nigel Atkins

Nigee, Nigee

There are no problems......only solutions!
Steven Devine

Big battery in boot is good. Mine is 3 year old plus and is heavy duty for Ford Escort from brother in laws scrapper. Nearly had Mondeo diesel battery but sons bonnet wouldn't open on the day of scrapper collection. :-(

However boot space is considerably compromised and weight in boot affects tail end wag. So If there is a heavy duty that fits the under bonnet space that would be great.
Dave Squire 1500

This thread was discussed between 30/04/2014 and 02/05/2014

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