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MG MGB Technical - Battery help please

I have a 66 b roadster , positve earth with 2 6 volt batterys that are dead . Iam thinking of changing to
1 12 volt battery . The problem is I cant seem to find a battery small enough to fit in ( 7 3/4 inches max width). Any advise please . Also which side is best to fit the new battery .
Thanks Carl
carl suthenwood

Try a 063 (my need to trim the plastic bottom)
K Harris

Hi Carl
Ive fitted an Halfords 063 440 ca in the passenger side cradle.
As Ken says you have to trim the plastic lip at the bottom a little.
Its in the passenger side to help counter balance my wieght, probably does'nt make that much difference but must be better than adding it to my weight on the drivers side.
Regards Pete
PJ Thompson

Carl
I also fitted a 063 to my roadster. It fitted with a little trimming to the bottom lip. Much cheaper than 2 x6 volts and works fine.
Trev
Trevor Harvey

Same halfords 12v- lasted 3 years,took the guarantee back and another supplied FOC and this cranking a V8 - so they work, Also you can easily fit a cutout behind the seat
ap lestocq

Thanks for your coments guys . Ive been to Halfords and seen an 063 and it is 8 1/4 inchs long . How does it fit into a 7 3/4 inch gap ? .I do nor want to cut off the lugs as it will invalidate the warranty .
HELP
Carl
carl suthenwood

Sorry for the bad spelling .
carl suthenwood

Have you looked into the Westco battery designed for the Mazda MX-5? It is a sealed unit, using glassmat technology, small and powerful. Me. I'm still using 2 6 volts in my '67 and average 10 years between replacements. RAY
rjm RAY

Carl, I have one question, Why?? I have my '66 for 3 years now, only had to charge up once during the big freeze. I do have a spare pair from an owner nearby who did the conversion on a '72. If it's an everyday car I'd understand, but a sunday/summer car I'd leave them alone, or in your case get a new pair.
B.
B. G. Griffin

There's a chart you should be able to find using a search engine like "Google". It's called the "BCI" chart. All batteries have to adhere to standard dimensions regardless of manufacturer. Thus, take your measurements and check it against the chart. The 63 is 10 3/16 long,6 3/8 wide and 8 7/8 tall (all in inches). You're connecting in "series" which doubles the voltage, but not the amperage of the batteries.
Rick Penland

Anyone know the size of the original 6v? I run a smallish 12v in my 65' and get decent life. If I had a smart charger for winter it would do even better.

Bob McCoy
Robert McCoy

Rick

I think you'll find that the numbering system in the US is not the same as the UK.

From memory, the type 063 in the UK is a type 26 in the US.
Dave O'Neill 2

We have had Odyssey 12v sealed battery in our MGA for six years,so we just put a Pulse(same company) 12v in our MGB. BJ
B WALKER

Hi Folks:
Last year I lost my twin 6 volt batteries due to age. Decent new 6v batteries are hard to find since Interstate stopped supplying them. So I bit the bullet and installed the Moss Westco AGM (Miata)12 volt battery, If fits fine in my 67B on the passinger side. The car is still positive earth, and all I had to do was relocated a earth cable/clamp to that side. Essential the battery functions fine with the generator/RB340 regulator. The AGM batteries prefer a higher charging voltage from a generator (15.5v+) than an alternator (14.5v) because of the higher concentration of sulfuric acid. They do generate hydrogen gas and both vents should be downward purged with tubing. I havn't had a starting problem this winter, especially in a northeast winter. Moss sold the battery last year for $99.

Best of Luck
Rich Boris 67B roadster
Rich Boris

Try these guys, I ordered one arrived next day very happy.

http://www.advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/carbattery002l.html

(I've no connection just a satisfied customer)
R Fowler

""do nor want to cut off the lugs as it will invalidate the warranty .
HELP
Carl ""

These 063 are so cheap dont bother about the warranty!!!
K Harris

HI, FOR WHAT ITS WORTH I HAVE ONCE BEFORE ON A PREVIOUS MGB, CHANGED FROM TWO 6VOLTS TO ONE 12VOLT AND IT NECESSITATED CUTTING ONE OF THE 6V CARRIER HOLES LARGER AND FABRICATING A ALUMINIUM BOX AND RIVETING IT IN. THIS TIME WITH THE SAME PROJECT IN MIND ON MY LATEST AQUISITION I VISITED MY LOCAL BATTERY SUPPLIER AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAD AN MGB OWNER COME IN THREE WEEKS PREVIOUSLY AND PURCHASED AN EXIDE WHICH DROPS INTO EITHER 6V APETURE AND NO CUTTING REQUIRED. AS I HAVE NOT FINISHED OTHER WORK ON THE CAR MY PURCHASE WILL BE TWO OR THREE WEEKS AWAY WHEN I WILL MAKE THE FINAL CHOICE BETWEEN THE EXIDE (SORRY NO NUMBER TO HAND) AND THE VARTA BLUE B35.HOPE THIS HAS BEEN OF SOME HELP. PETER
p j mayo

This thread was discussed between 12/02/2010 and 21/02/2010

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