Battery terminals

[BazzaBongo]

Obtained two readings for the present battery (from Kwik-Fit and Halfords) - both places showed the need for a new battery.

Now I need to know which battery to get with enough umph for usual and decent amount of recreational use, as well as it having the terminals the right way round to fit under the hood.

Any advice from experienced bongoliers would be appreciated. (Seen threads about having min of 95a/h, and how the 335e is recommended for use with only one battery, but again my main concern at the moment is the terminals).

[ChrisEm]

All batteries have a number , normally only a few digits and a letter. This code corresponds with size ie phsical dimensions, power output ie voltage and amps and also the position of the terminals. The best option is to go to an independent motor factors and they should be able to cross ref numbers and give you all the above facts and figures. If you go here http://www.yuasa-battery.co.uk and go to the technical page they have some good info on batteries.

[BazzaBongo]

Apparently Kwik-Fit and Camberley AutoFactors don't supply batteries for imported models.
Phoned Vospers at Exeter today - they assured me they had one battery in stock that would suit my vehicle. Off I trot all the way down there to pick it up - 200 mile round trip. Would have got one of the guys there fit it if I hadn't had to wait two hours for it, so anyway the guy assures me that this new 'dry charged' battery is ready and easy to fit.
Get all the way back home with it - under the label of the battery it states that each cell needs filling with sulphuric acid

Ever had one of those days??!!

Just thought I should put this clearly so others don't make the same mistake I made:
Wet charged battery - ready to use
Dry charged battery - NEEDS SULPHURIC ACID

[francophile1947]

Apparently Kwik-Fit and Camberley AutoFactors don't supply batteries for imported models.

I went to Kwit-Fit and was told that "a battery is a battery - it's only there to start the engine". I have the winterised version with 2 batteries and they were both knackered. I told them I needed 2 x 95ah batteries and they asked what engine it was. When I told them 2.5 diesel they asked where I got the idea it needed 2 x 95ah and said the japanese always seem to "overbattery" their cars. They connected a single 60ah battery and it worked fine, so I now have 2 x 60ah batteries for the sum of £45.

[Veg_Ian]

A diesel engine takes a lot more power to start than a petrol and for a big lump like a 2.5TD the bigger the battery the better. Yes you can start it on a lower spec battery but you're putting more work on that little battery such that it will probably have a shorter working life as a result. Mind you, if your two batteries are connected in parallel then that should be fine.

Now for the hard question - do I take the advice of acrobatic grease monkeys from KwikFit or Mazda designers. Hmm tough one that .........

[francophile1947]

Agreed Veg_Ian
The point I was trying to make is that the battery is the same, no matter where the vehicle comes from.
My cheap batteries are a temporary measure so that I could use my Bongo. I will be replacing them with a more powerful battery and a leisure battery in due course.

[haydn callow]

Got a 105 A/H from Kwik Fit £60. It is slightly taller than the one that came out but is fine.

[johnzbenson]

Just got a new battery for my Bongo 110AH from a market trader! its a new Iveco battery and while it is slightly overlength for the battery tray its fine and for 35 quid I thought why not. Important things to remember about batteries maximum current output. the physical size. the battery lug location and which way round the battery lugs are! ( the first one i looked at fitted perfect except the positive was where the negative should have been- would have been hassle changing the cables you see!
other than that fine. one more thing to remember- get abattery with at least athree year guarantee on it most decent modern batteries have this. It makes me wonder about the ones that dont.