Main Battery renewal - rating?

[jonco]

Thinking of treating the Zed (M44) to a new battery on a preventative maintenance basis as there are a few sales on at moment.

Current battery was fitted by previous owner over 4 years ago. It's a Banner 55 Amp/h - 420a - 042 and struggles if the car is not used for ~a week ( which sadly happens too often) or when doing diagnostic checks unless quickly put on charge.

Owner's handbook states 70 Amp/h but I have read this is very over-rated.

Any advice please?

 

[t-tony]

I can tell you from personal experience that Banner batteries are at the budget end of the market. They used to sell them where I work and we had lot's of warranty claims against them. Personally I would opt for a premium brand of battery for reliability's sake alone. There is nothing in this whole world more useless than a car which won't start.

 

[jonco]

...............that Banner batteries are at the budget end of the market. .........

Thanks Tony - I had never heard of them but suspected they were `budget'. I'll willing to go premium but what rating?

 

[t-tony]

Ask for Exide or Bosch for fitment for your car, see what they offer and compare. I will see what prices I can get in Lincoln tomorrow if that would help?

 

[Brian H]

I would be inclined to stick with the recommendation in the handbook, it is a right royal PITA when the battery goes flat after a few minutes with the boot open (boot light on)

 

[jonco]

Ask for Exide or Bosch for fitment for your car, see what they offer and compare. I will see what prices I can get in Lincoln tomorrow if that would help?

Thanks for offer - we are off to South of France in the Zed next week so I was looking to jump in on Euro parts sale as we have a local depot. Battery is ok at moment but sod's law will say that now I have asked the question it will fail!!!

 

[t-tony]

Absolutely Brian. Mine has a Drive Master battery, again at the budget end of the market but I've had no problems at all with it. it is rated at 54Ah and CCA 525 ( cold cranking amps) in case you didn't know what that was. This would have been supplied by our local Andrew Page outlet.

 

[zedonist]

its the CCA you want as high as possible at the recommended Amp hours, i am running a Bosch S6, never let me down, 70Ah 760CCA

 

[Rev]

When you've got it buy yourself a battery conditioning charger and get in the habit of putting it on permanent charge.

Keeps the battery at a perfect charge rate and in first class order and so will last much longer.

 

[badman gee]

When you've got it buy yourself a battery conditioning charger and get in the habit of putting it on permanent charge.

Keeps the battery at a perfect charge rate and in first class order and so will last much longer.

Yes the CTEK's are excellent!

 

[Mint]

I bought a Bosch S4007, 72Ah, 680CCA - been a great buy

 

[jonco]

Thanks again for comments and advice guys. I've ordered an Exide 096 - 77Amp/h with 760CCA from Eurocarparts with 4 year guarantee - due to be delivered tomorrow.
Will look at the charger later - problem there may be stopping the other half from driving off with it still connected!!!!

 

[zedonist]

Watch it does not flip the car over when cranking , good choice........

 

[jonco]

Watch it does not flip the car over when cranking , good choice........

Fitted - POW what a difference! Didn't quite flip the car but I think I heard the starter exclaim WTF

 

[zedonist]

It makes all the difference doesn't it!

 

[Rev]

There's nothing worse than wondering whether or not a car will start and be reliable. Strange how such a small thing like changing a battery will improve your enjoyment of a car.