Battery for NA that fits!

[gslender]

I will repeat again for the hard of hearing that they are a low gas calcium on calcium battery, not a normal lead acid battery.

100% agree. I believe the battery is actually fully sealed, so I'm unsure how it would even vent even if it needed/wanted to.

My only issue was that the MF43 isn't similar dimensions to the stock OEM Panasonic. http://www.supercharge.com.au/product_detail.php?seq=25

According to SuperCharge's website, they no longer make anything that is a perfect fit (and this corresponds with the shop's advice). I actually believe the later model NA8's and NB's probably have a different mounting system such that they still do fit, but one thing is for sure, without changing the standard OEM threaded tie-down rod, it won't fit without extending (either by brackets or non-OEM threaded tie-down rod).

[bigdog]

I had to trim the edge of my battery tray to fit it properly, (after two years, so it was very close) but as you say the NA6 has a different mount. Shouldn't be hard to fit a longer threaded section, but if another model fits better that might be a better choice. The OEM type vented batteries have come down in price, and there are a couple of choices there. The gold batteries have tiny vent holes hidden on the top, so they are not totally sealed, but they are designed to produce very little gas compared to a regular maintenance free battery.

[Locutus]

if secure mounting is your only concern, i simply bought a $2 d shackle from bunnings to accommodate a taller supercharge battery in my NA8. worked a treat.

[GP]

Supercharge Gold do vent and can leak, They are not the same as an AGM battery
Mazda use AGM batteries with external vents as well for a reason but apparently they have no clue according bigdog.

[hks_kansei]

So basically after all this we've come to the conclusion that the Supercharge Gold vents gas.
And that the OEM Mazda ones are hooked to vents, presumably because they vent gas.


So if either way it's hooked to the correct vents, what's the issue with how it holds power?



The only thing I can think of is leakage, but I've never seen a lead acid battery leak except for when it's been abused, or turned on it's side.
(That's modern maintenance free batteries, not the old fashioned ones you top up with water)

[aka_juffa]

Just to add another 2c worth. While I do not have any personal experience with the Supercharge batterys I have had 2 previous MX-5 that had regular lead acid batteries fitted by previous owners. Both had paint damage and rust in the boot caused by battery acid. So I'm a bit paranoid about having the 'correct' battery in a MX-5. First thing I did was replace the battery with an original Panasonic from Mazda. I did this because I have previously had over 11 years out of a Mazda battery, I knew fitment would not be an issue, and I was not aware of alternatives at the time.

In my current NA8 the previous owner fitted a non-standard battery. It is a no/low maintenance type, and for me most importantly
it has vent ports that are hooked up to the original vent hoses. It has been in the car for over a year with no signs of damage. I will find out the make and model and post it for future reference.

J.

[GP]

So if either way it's hooked to the correct vents, what's the issue with how it holds power?

They don't come with anywhere to attach the vent tubes.

[bigdog]

I will make this my final post on this subject as I really can't be bothered. Supercharge did recommend the Gold MF43 battery for fitment to the NB. I looked it up at the time. The fact that they now choose to recommend and sell an AGM battery is of no consequence to those who bought the MF43 back then, and probably has as much to do with marketing as anything else. I have used this battery for double it's warranted life with zero issues as have a great many other MX5 owners. If you want to spend more on something different that is your choice, and you will note that I have no issue with AGM or OEM batteries being used, so please STOP BAGGING SOMETHING THAT IS PROVEN TO WORK OVER MANY YEARS!!

[GP]

I will make this my final post on this subject as I really can't be bothered

Thankyou

[gslender]

I guess the thinking must be nothing else developed in the last 20 years could possibly be better than what Mazda engineers had available to them in a production vehicle manufactured for a mass market price. No, obviously not!

G

[NitroDann]

MFW I have a no name battery that's been in my car for 2 years with no issue that half the size of stock but similar height with no issues staying in during daily rally use.



Dann

[93_Clubman]

Why is this an issue every time with part numbers?!?
I bought a SuperCharge Gold many years ago, before anyone knew about them, including myself, I had no idea what part number to look up.

All I did was measure the dimensions of the OEM Panasonic and went and bough a battery of a similar size.

Simple

no?

Easy for you to say Red!

[93_Clubman]

I actually believe the later model NA8's and NB's probably have a different mounting system such that they still do fit, but one thing is for sure, without changing the standard OEM threaded tie-down rod, it won't fit without extending (either by brackets or non-OEM threaded tie-down rod).

The '93-'95 NA8, at least, also requires a slightly longer securing rod.

[mmxx55]

Apologies for beating a dead horse.

Went down to Centre Road Batteries Yesterday and this is what he explained to me regarding the MF43:

- It's a "sealed" calcium battery and does not come with vent holes.
- He drills two holes and attaches two vent tips, using a hot glue gun to seal the tip.
- OEM tubing is then connected to the vent tips.

It seems like a viable alternative to AGM but non-vented (Fullriver HC20) etc.
It's probably costs much less than the OEM battery.

My only concern is, has anyone ever had RWC issues with different batteries in place?

[hks_kansei]

My only concern is, has anyone ever had RWC issues with different batteries in place?

I don't believe the battery is a roadworthy item outside of having to be mounted securely, and in the right position (ie: not in the cabin with you)

The RWC requirements for cars are available on the Vicroads website, they list all the things a tester looks at.




MGs and VWs are often converted from 6v systems to 12v systems without any RWC issues.