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MG MGB Technical - Best Battery??

Hello,

My car is a 1973 MGB. Back in 2002 I changed from the two six volt batteries to one 12 volt.

The battery I have been using is an "Interstate" and it has lasted seven years with no problems - which I know is great.

The only issue is that it is not a sealed battery - maintenance free.

What 12 volt battery are you using? Is it maintenance free? Which 12 volt battery do you recommend?

Thanks,

Robert
Robert Browning

I have a Delco in mine, and it holds up all winter - as I do not remove the battery during the winter, I just start the car up every month or so during a thaw.

I have relied on Consumer Reports for decades in guidance on which battery to buy.

The curious thing about battery reviews is how this year's top selection can be next year's dog. That in mind I still haven't had a problem buying a CR top pick.

The primary concern is that whatever you buy, like in tires - make sure what you are buying "new" is actually "fresh". Learn to read the manufacture date codes.
R.W Anderson

R.W.

Do you know exactly which Delco battery you bought/have? I have used Delco maintenance free in some of my other cars with great luck.

Robert
Robert Browning

Robert - First thing, "Maintenance Free" is not really sealed. A maintenance free battery is deeper than the non maintenance free batteries and has more electrolyte in it, so it will go longer without having to top it up with distilled water. The rectangular pieces on the top of the battery can be prised up with a putty knife to gain access to fill the cells and contains the vent for the cells so that there is less chance of the electrolyte from exiting the battery like it does in the older batteries with individual cell caps that can be unscrewed. A fully sealed battery is like the Optima gell batteries that are available. They can be mounted in any orientation and never require the addition of water over their life span.

I have had a Interstate battery in our TD for well over 8 years and it is still going strong. The secret of long battery life is to keep it charged up. A battery sitting in a car that is not used will slowly discharge and if left in that state, the internal plates will develop a sulfate build up on them, which will, in turn, keep the battery from charging completely. Putting a trickle charger on the battery is not the answer to keeping a battery in good condition in that it will, over time, overcharge the battery and boil the electrolyte out. I started having a problem several years ago with the interstate battery in our TD holding a charge, so I purchased a battery tender and attached it to the battery, keeping it plugged in all the time. The battery tender keeps the battery at optimum operating condition by charging it to a preset upper level, then allowing it to discharge to a preset lower level, continually cycling the battery up and down. Since then the battery has continued to operate perfectly. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

My last set of Interstate batteries lasted 13 years. I, too, used a Battery Tender so that the batteries were always kept at or near full charge. It's a $50 investment that will pay for itself many times over. RAY P.S. I replaced the old batteries with a new set of Interstates.
RAY

David,
What number/size Interstate battery do you use in your TD?
Thanks, Tony
Tony Shoviak

Well, I have to say that the Interstate battery I have had in my car has been excellent. It was a five year battery but has lasted seven years without even having the Tender.

Who sells the tender? Is there one brand you would recommend?

Thanks for the comments.

Robert
Robert Browning

Tony - I am using a 26 series battery - smaller than the original, but I can't complain as the original battery I put in the car in 75 was a Penny's lifetime battery. Since then, Firestone has taken over the warranty replacements when Penny's dropped their auto section and when the batteries finally fail, I get a new one at no cost. The last time I got a battery replaced, they only thing they had on hand was the 26 series battery, so that was what I took.

Robert - I got my battery tender from Eastwood, but you should be able to get one from any good auto parts store. Just be sure that they don't sell you a cheap trickle charger (the battery tenders cost around $30 for a small one). Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

I have been looking at the Battery Tenders and I am confused - so what else is new :) !!

What is the difference in the battery Tender Plus and the Battery Tender Junior, besides the length of the warranty?

Also, what is a Power Tender Plus?

Which would I want to maintin my battery - especially when it sits during the winter?

Thanks,

Robert
Robert Browning

Robert - any of them will work fine. I am using the battery tender junior. I think that some of the others will take care of multiple batteries at the same time. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Interstate is an excellent battery, I would stick with that. I had two 12 volt Interstate batteries in my 1970 B, wired in parallel to double the effective cold cranking amperage (just in case on cold New England mornings), and they never failed. Great batteries, well-made.

Whatever you do, avoid Sears Diehard.
Paul Zink

Hi Folks:

My twin Interstate 17HF 6's died after several years of great service, so I replaced them with a single 12 volt battery. Last March I installed the Moss/Westco (Miata) AGM battery. The battery is very small in size (7.5 long x 5.0 wide x 7.25 high) but required alternate clamping because the "J" bolts interfered with the battery case on my Mark 1 MGB. The Westco is rated a 475cca, and is priced @ $99.00 with a 4 year warranty.

I also added some plastic hose to the vents to purge any hydrogen gas. The AGM batteries use a higher concentration of sulfuric acid. So far the battery/charging system is working great.

Good luck: Rich Boris 67 B roadster

Rich Boris

I will second the Westco Battery...for the Miata...smaller than the type 26 with more power...a great bettery for $80...
Bob Dougherty

Robert-
Like many others, I have found the Interstate line of batteries to be top-notch. Best of all, there's plenty of Interstate dealers out there, so if there's ever a warranty problem (I've never had such a problem), you can get the matter dealt with with miniminal hassle anytime, anywhere you happen to find yourself.
Steve S.

I also use Westco Batteries, having changed from Optima in the past. The Westco battery is half the size and weight as most and offers plenty of power for these little cars.
Steve Simmons

I went ahead and bought another Interstate battery and I also bought a Battery Tender Junior.

Robert
Robert Browning

This thread was discussed between 08/06/2009 and 06/07/2009

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