Pinto Boy Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 I need to replace the battery on my Westie, but there seem to be several types: Gel, Varley Red Top, Yuasa, Halfruads? It is for a road-only Pinto and it often requires extended turning over as the fuel lines run dry back to the tank. Can someone please explain the various options & recommend one, thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Fandango Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Dear Pinto Boy, I wouldn't have thought that battery 'type' was your main concern. First concern for me was does the battery fit in the cradle/clamp?... Personally for me that meant I needed a particular battery with a mounting depth of less than 140mm (to sit in the clamps properly). Once you have selected the correct clamp depth, go for as big a battery widthways as possible for your tray (as bigger usually means better performing). You say it's not a track car so small and light-weight batteries would not be a consideration (and most likely don't pack the punch you need in any case). That rules out many of the gel type batteries. From that point onwards it's simple... Look for the most powerful battery you can afford. Look for high figures in: 1. Cold Cranking Performance (Amps) 2. Reserve Capacity (Minutes) 3. Ampere Hour Capacity (Amp.Hours) Oh yes! - And don't forget to check which way round the positive and negative terminals are placed! Dare I say it, there's nowt wrong with Halfords (sorry, Halfrauds) batteries, especially the nice new 'Calcium Technology' batteries which come with up to a 5 year guarantee. Halfords are a bit pricey though but usually have a good stock. My last Halfords battery was in my old Peugeot 306TD - it gave up nearing the end of the guarantee period and they swapped it no quibbles at all. I can also vouch for the brand 'Yuasa'. I've owned two before. The Yuasa website is full of useful information although they do 'big themselves up' a little. See here for example: Yuasa Info I also like saying "Y U ASA DE QUESTION" in a Chinese accent for some reason! Sounds to me like you need a fairly heavy duty one so if your going to need some extra kick perhaps look for a battery designed for diesels engines? Paul Aspden of Plays Kool Motorsport once advised that I visit "Valley Batteries" of Dewsbury (Yorkshire). The chap there is one very knowledgeable guy when it comes to batteries (but doesn't know much as knitting funnily enough). I live in Leeds so that's close to me. I'm always impressed with his stock (wall to wall and up to the ceiling) Valley Batteries 211 Wakefield Road Dewsbury WF12 8AW 01924 466035 I know you don't live aywhere near them but what's stopping you giving them a call for some information or advice. Pose as a customer if needs be. If you have electricity in your garage I would also recommend a battery trickle charger (AKA: Battery Conditioner) Battery Conditioner Happy Battery Shopping!!! Best regards Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappers Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 I'd get a gel one rather than a lead/acid. I've had no trouble with my Odyssey PC680. Car starts every time, even if left for a while. Lighter than a lead/acid one too. Got mine here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Everall Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 680 is good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Fandango Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 And you've got a dodgy-starting road-only pinto Terry! Seeing that Pinto Boy's Westie is a 'non starter' for whatever reason it'll need a little bit more me thinks? Odyssey PC680 Price = £90.00 Cold Crank = 210 Amps Reserve Capacity = 28 Minutes Ampere Hour Capacity = 19Ah Terminals = M5 Bolt Width = 185mm Depth = 79mm Height = 170mm Weight = 6.1kg Clamp Lipping = None (buy/fabricate the bracket) Yuasa Professional 049 Price = £47.00 Cold Crank = 350 Amps Reserve Capacity = 60 Minutes Ampere Hour Capacity = 45Ah Terminals = Standard Automotive Width = 220mm Depth = 135mm Height = 225mm Weight = 12.6kg Clamp Lipping = Front & Rear IMHO the figures speak for themselves Understanding Battery Specs Yuasa Battery Comparison Download PDF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Everall Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Good point but I did start with 2L Pinto which had a Bosch battery costing £35 incl Vat . It was heavy but V good. The 680 Odyssey is good but your alternative although twice the weight may be a better bet at half the price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu999 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Why not just fix the non-starting problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinto Boy Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 Kyle - thank you for all the info. It really is a case of size matters I'll measure my battery and then start trawling the various specs. Cheers Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Podmore Posted September 14, 2007 Share Posted September 14, 2007 I've just taken out a 'type 895' battery that I think is the same as this battery which has served me well. Mine only weighed 7kg tonight when I removed it, which is give or take the same as the Odyssey PC680 that is replacing it, but it only cost half the price. I guess the 895 has lost some weight over time? The 895 had a capacity of 24Ah and cranking capacity of 250A which was fine for a standard 1800 Zetec even when the battery was in poor health. The 895 therefore appears to me to be a good choice for a 'normal' type of car battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
langy Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 QUOTE Dare I say it, there's nowt wrong with Halfords (sorry, Halfrauds) batteries I must have been very unlucky then, I recently bought a new battery from Halfords and it turned out to be 'unservicable' went to change it and the one I picked up off the shelf was also 'unservicable'. 3rd time I got one that was OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machin Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 thats an odd one - runn dry to the tank? Mine does that too..... didn't do it with the old DGAV.... but does it now with the DCOE's.... not sure if they're the problem (nothing else on the fuel system has changed). I thought it might have something to do with being on the back of a trailer (i.e bumping around without the pump operating..), as that's the only other thing I do differently since changing the carbs.... but sounds like yours does it having just stood still.. so that could be the case with mine too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 The fuel thing is just evaporation over time. Both mine do it, carbs and injection. It's a non issue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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