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Yes i know. Yet another Battery Debacle.

So the Malibu's battery finally would not start the car this afternoon.
It has been dying a slow death for a few months now.
I got just a few turns today then the dreaded CLICK CLICK CLICK.

It is usually about a week between runs.

Just noticed Mania have these new batteries for a very nice price of $135.
The blurb goes.

A cheap replacement Battery for your Mazda MX5!

Most people don't realise that the Mazda MX5 requires a special battery. Due to the battery placement in the boot a sealed yet breathable battery must be used.

If a generic battery is used in can cause not only an odour in the boot but it can also cause a fire (yes we have seen it!)

Simply remove your old battery (you will see the rubber breather hose connected to your old battery) Remove this rubber hose and reconnect it to your new SSB Battery!

SSB Maintenance Free Calcium-Calcium Battery
12V DC
400 Cold Cranking Amps
65 RC Minutes
24 Months Replacement Warranty.

They come with a vent tube, and being a sealed battery should be fine right??
MANIA would not sell me something that is going to rust my boot out right??




2 year warranty suits me, i just do not want any fitment issues or especially venting issues.
Has anyone here had any experience with one?

Would really appreciate some advice.

Thanks in advance.

these batteries are fine. the vent tube is for controlled emergency venting if the battery is abused, to prevent it from exploding. they do not vent anything under normal circumstances.

they are the same type of battery as the supercharge calcium batteries as mentioned in the other threads - sealed calcium-calcium. btw the supercharge gold has a 3 yr warranty.

a good OEM alternative if you want extra piece of mind is the newer supercharge AGM battery. AGM batteries will still vent nasty gases if you abuse them though....

On occasion I have vented some pretty nasty gases myself.

If MX5Mania offered it as a replacement battery it should be fine.
The price is similar to the supercharge with the added benefit of the breather.
Heaps cheaper than OEM, I would grab it

I doubt you are comparing apples and apples. An OEM battery can last 10yrs- many batteries last little more than the warranty. Built to a price some would say.

Oztrackdays has one of these in a race car. Model helicopter battery for $100. Worked really well over a day at Winton. I want someone to guinea pig it for me on a road car.

Ive always used a 20 dollar battery from the wreckers, the lightest one they have that works...

Dann

Thanks for everyones help.

Think ill head out to mania and make sure it fits right.
Would love to get OEM but not sure i can justify $350 on a whim that it will last that long.

Dann how do you find batteries from wreckers that are safe in a mx5 boot?

Other option is Balmain Batteries have the odysee 680 for only $280.

Will let everyone know how i go.
Thanks again

Dann how do you find batteries from wreckers that are safe in a mx5 boot?

Morris Mini , Rover P6 and P6B have had batteries in the boot for approx 50 years.

previous posts confirm oem's do last- if the quality is still the same then provided the car is used regularly or trickle charged then expect a long battery life.

Dweezle wrote:

Other option is Balmain Batteries have the odysee 680 for only $280.

My Odyssey (ES 12V 800) didn't even last 2.5years. Didn't even show signs of dying, one day the car just wouldn't start, not even enough power for the starter solenoid to go CLICK.
My Supercharge is still going strong, even after 3 deep-cycle events, bought it late 2007.
Odyssey warranty = 1year, SuperCharge warranty = 3years.

Go for the Mania one.

I have sourced a used but working great original battery.
Anyone looking for a alternative to the Odysee should consider one of these.
http://www.allpurposebatteries.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=19&products_id=149
$180 delivered to your door.

Thanks all for your help.
I have decided to keep an original battery as it was cheaper obviously and i am selling the car now. I would rather the new owner be able to choose what they want to use. If and when this replacement decides it has had enough.
Thanks again.