MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Battery Tray

Both my battery trays are shot and I want to install a 12v instead of the two sixes. Is the Moss RH tray (473-200) big enough for a modern 12 v to fit on it and under the frame member, or do I need to custom make one of the correct size. Thanks
Joe Holtslag

There are some very small 12 volt batteries in Europe that can fit in the original battery tray, but they are not (yet) available in North America. For the smallest common 12 volt battery size you need to extend the tray about 1-1/2 inches. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/frame/fr202.htm
Barney Gaylord

I put particle-board "bases" on the original cradles and bought popular (ie cheap) 12-volt batteries for both of my MGA's (coupe and roadster). I think that I had to modify the original hold-down system. On the other side I made a box for get-me-home things such as a jack and "soft" wheel hammer.
Barry Bahnisch

I meant to add that I sit the batteries in cheap plastic "trays" (actually the bottoms of fridge containers that I pinched from my wife).
Barry Bahnisch

Barney, are you saying that the Moss battery trays (473-200) are really 6-volt trays and I would need to extend them anyway? Both of my trays are completely rusted and unusable. If I would need to extend a new Moss tray I guess I will get a 26 or 26R battery and design my own tray. I guess I will also need to incorporate a support for the brake line like the current tray has. Again thanks...
Joe Holtslag

Barney, are you saying that the Moss battery trays (473-200) are really 6-volt trays and I would need to extend them anyway? Both of my trays are completely rusted and unusable. If I would need to extend a new Moss tray I guess I will get a 26 or 26R battery and design my own tray. I guess I will also need to incorporate a support for the brake line like the current tray has. Again thanks...
Joe Holtslag

The Moss battery trays are as original and will accommodate the nearly square small 6-volt batteries. When I first restored my car the tray bottoms were badly rusted, but the side brackets were okay. So I fabricated new bottom frames from 1/8-inch angle iron. That was a good move, because they are still there after 26 years and another 245,000 miles.

When I changed from 2x6 to 1x12 battery back in the mid 90's I extended the right side tray about 1-1/2 inches at the rear, easy cut and weld on the 1/8 inch steel parts. Details here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/frame/fr202.htm
Barney Gaylord

Joe, I made an extension for my rusted battery tray, to fit as you said a size 26 or 26R battery. A size 70 battery is also close in size to these. I just cut off the end of the RH battery tray, and cut a piece of sheet metal to fit inside the side angles of the tray. I bent up a 3/4" "lip" at the back, and then bolted it in at two places on the original tray side angles. I'm also using the rubber battery strips (from Moss I think) under the battery.

George
G Goeppner

I have had a 12v in a standard tray for many years (20?). I just went round the stock room in the supplier until I found one of the right size/orientation. I could give code of current one but it will clearly be British.
P M Dean

You guys in the USA have the Odyssey range of dry cell batteries, one of which easily fits the MGA cradle. These batteries are expensive, but have great cranking abilility, and last for several more years than the regular units.
Gary Lock

Except those little Odyssey batteries don't have enough storage capacity.
Barney Gaylord

Small 12v batteries may be OK but I was worried about the length (and subsequent voltage drop) of the starter cable in an MGA.
Barry Bahnisch

Size of battery cables in the MGA is no problem at all, and larger cables is a total waste of money. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/electric/ss_103a.htm
Barney Gaylord



Not all replacement battery tray's are the same !!!

I have several MGA's and one car is 1/2 inch bigger in the tray which makes a huge difference to the choice of 12v batteries available.

Mark
Mark Hester

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2012 and 03/08/2012

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGA BBS now