Replacement battery - any suggestions?

Gramps · Postby **Gramps** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:56 pm

I'm looking for a replacement battery for my NB.

My last replacement from the Mazda dealer has not survived irregular car use. I've recharged the battery on the slow charger but it won't hold up. It crashes as soon as the starter is engaged.

New battery coming up - but which one???

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:17 pm

Hi Gramps. I posted this reply to a previous battery query a couple of months back:

Supercharge MF43 (around $100) is perfect, 3 year warranty and no venting issues as it is a calcium/calcium battery- you can't use a standard lead acid battery as JBT said. Genuine/Federal batteries with the external vent tube are over $200 and Odyssey is dearer still. My Supercharge is over 12 months old now and have no issues at all. Even if I have to buy another one in two years time I'm still ahead. Very Happy

Gramps · Postby **Gramps** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:59 am

Thanks John.

I have had two failures with these OEM batteries and needed a reliable recommendation. I got it from the best source around!

I was even thinking of going for the Odyssey but I will see if I can track a Supercharge MF43. There is a Battery World outlet near home. I'll see if they stock them.

Sean

Gramps · Postby **Gramps** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:09 am

Chasing them up on the internet John. Very handy gizmo when you need some info!

MasterZ · Postby **MasterZ** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:58 am

when i got a new battery i went to battery world and they suggested a corolla battery, so i bought it

Gramps · Postby **Gramps** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:26 pm

Update on Supercharge.
I phoned to get the info on nearest outlet. Told them I wanted an MF43 for an MX5. No good, they said, we don't do any batteries for the MX5. Go to the Mazda dealer. I told the guy their website lists TWO batteries for the MX5. That's a mistake, according to him, they should have been deleted.

I ended up buying a Federal.

As for Master Z fitting a Toyota Corolla battery - what about the breather tubes - or is the battery brand a corolla?

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:28 pm

What a pain in the bum Gramps!! mine has been in the car for 18 months trouble free and definitely suits the mx5 as it is a calcium battery with low gas output hence no need for external venting. I shakes my head at their stupidity (or possibly desire to dodge any possible responsibility) :roll:

Gramps · Postby **Gramps** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:15 am

I'm with you Bigdog. The dry cell battery is such an obvious solution why don't they fit them as standard? The Odyssey is dry cell - just very expensive.

I thought the Supercharge guy was talking crap and although I argued with him, I'm too polite to tell him that - he is supposed to know what he's talking about.

Sometimes, it just depends on who you talk to at these places. I'm going to make some more inquries. At least I've got the car running again - that was the real priority :lol:

KAM · Postby **KAM** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:47 pm

Gramps wrote:I'm with you Bigdog. The dry cell battery is such an obvious solution why don't they fit them as standard? The Odyssey is dry cell - just very expensive.

I thought the Supercharge guy was talking crap and although I argued with him, I'm too polite to tell him that - he is supposed to know what he's talking about.

Sometimes, it just depends on who you talk to at these places. I'm going to make some more inquries. At least I've got the car running again - that was the real priority

I spoke to Superharge in Brisbane today.
My car hadn't been started for 8 days :frown:

and it started to crank and then imobilised and went into alarm :evil:

looks like the cold weather has got to it.
He suggested the MF43 @ $121.95 retail but would better that price

BUT
He also mentioned the need for a minor modification for the vent tube :?:

anyone know about this modification (Bigdog ?)
Guess I'll find out when I get there to pick one up.

Panasonic from Mazda with Club discount is $295 :shock:

AJ · Postby AJ » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:54 pm

hey Gramps???.......have you checked for something discharging your battery while the car is switched off???............sounds a bit suss to me that TWO panasonics (OEM??) have nosedived on you mate.........just a suggestion

apart from the alarm/immobiliser you may have of course

one way to check this would be to take the positive lead off the battery when you know it's just gunna sit there for a while & see if it will start the car then :mrgreen:

Alex · Postby **Alex** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:02 am

very interesting to read all this, I had by battery changed 2 weeks ago after discovering that it had a normal car battery in it that was venting into the boot (previous owner), then I found out why, went to battery world and the guy there said the only thing that would fit in was a normal battery :shock:

then he went on to say how he had never seen an mx-5 battery down in the \"well\" on the drivers side and that they are normally in the tunnel behind the driver or under the bonnet :?:

I thanked him for his time and promptly drove to mania and 10 minutes later had a new battery in, and new breather tube (previous owner had removed that as well)

Now I wish I had read this thread as I would love to have a dry cell battery in, maybe when this battery dies :roll: