mx5cartalk.com

Classic question I know, but I thought I'd check on the latest best advice.

Also, I did a search, so don't shoot me!

So, the time has come to replace the faithful Panasonic in my NA. Its the second one its had, and I'd love to replace it with a unit as good as original, with the correct ventilation etc if needed.

Mine is completely standard, so I have no special needs, just wanting to keep it standard.

Apparently Mazda no longer stock the Panasonic as a replacement, and Mania has them listed for $360, but I'd really love to avoid spending that much.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I just went through this. Basically cough the money for an agm (they are all about the price of mania) or go with a calcium such as the supercharge mf43. Interestingly I replaced one mf43 with a new one and the battery clamp didn't fit!

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Federal also has a direct replacement, sealed and with the vent plugs. Think it cost me $250 from memory. It's in their dry cell boating range or something random.

Absorbed Power (aka Supercharge) GT12-35HR non-venting AGM battery under $200:
http://www.absorbedpower.com/battery/products/12volt/

SSB vented Calcium battery $135:
http://www.mx5mania.com.au/product1875.htm

There was also the Supercharge MF40B20DF Calcium battery (slightly different size to the MF43), but may be Supercharge have changed the battery terminal/s on it as well.

The other issue using a different brand of battery is getting the over the top clamp & rod to fit (longer rod fixes the problem), or getting the battery to fit in the black plastic base.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HC20-FULLRIVER-AGM-BATTERY-PC680-/110976534719?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d6b788bf&_uhb=1
I've been using the next size up from this one for 3 years with no problems. It's a proper AGM. Mine is a bit too large and far more powerful than the car needs.

Forgot your post about the Fullriver mid last year - it sounds like a great solution with pretty good shipping cost ($17) & lighter!

Panasonic is: 235mm (L) x 160 (H) x 125 (W), & 9.5kg;
&
Fullriver is: 181mm (L) x 167 (total height probably including terminals) x 77 (W) & 7kg.

I went with the Federal in the end, as I found a Battery World with it in stock on a Sunday, and needed to sort it then and there.

$295 though stung somewhat, but it should last a while.


Though smaller than than the original Panasonic, it fitted straight up, and interfaced very well with the factory breather tubes and retaining bracket.

Thanks for all the suggestions though!

manga_blue wrote:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HC20-FULLRIVER-AGM-BATTERY-PC680-/110976534719?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d6b788bf&_uhb=1
I've been using the next size up from this one for 3 years with no problems. It's a proper AGM. Mine is a bit too large and far more powerful than the car needs.

Hey guys.

Is there any reason why this battery wouldn't be suited to my turbo NB SE?

Cheers,
Andrew

Caff put one into his NB8B yesterday:
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=55595

I just had my battery replaced by RACQ (Brisbane metro).
$235 fitted. 2 yr warranty. Correct size, AGM and vented.
Only catch was they don't carry that model in the service vehicles so they sent someone out from depot, about an hour after requesting it.

Quite happy with that.

Marshall batteries were not much help, surprisingly. MX-5 does not appear in thier catalogue. They initially said "You have got to get OEM", then decided they could make something else fit.

RACV do the correct battery for the NA6, it has the correct venting attachments etc etc.

I can't remember the price, or the warranty period, but both were good. (although, when Pam bought the battery it was about 2 years ago now)



I wouldn't be surprised if it's exactly the same as the RACQ one mentioned above.