Battery Recommendations

[MrRevhead]

Not pushing any barrows here, but the $99 Supercharge Gold

You wouldn't happen to know the model number by any chance?

Cheers

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Steampunk]

Nothing special about them: average performance and very average life. Both died after a couple of years, so overall fairly poor value.

Phil, they have a three year warranty, did you not make them honour it?

I agree there is nothing special about them, but as per bigdog's experience, the current owner of my old car still runs the SuperCharge I installed over six years ago now which is three times longer than the Odyssey (at the time was uber special) which had a one year warranty. The one in my GTi-R was installed Sept 2010 and it's fine.

MrRevhead, there has been confusion re part numbers so do what I did and simply measure your current one, go to your retailer and buy one with the closest dimensions.

Slees, Amarok is another new name in the game you might want to look at.
Why not simply buy the OEM Panasonic then? Even though only a few people here have gone down that path, of those few AFAIK none have had problems.

[Pamex]

Last I heard my Supercharge battery is still going strong. A few years down the track, after I left it on concrete constantly, and used it to start a dead Silvia (which it went with). I gave that battery hell and it worked fine.

[93_Clubman]

BTW My original Panasonic now has given 14 years service!

That would be a record or close to it for a Panasonic, but don't you have a 2002 NB8?

[93_Clubman]

Not pushing any barrows here, but the $99 Supercharge Gold

You wouldn't happen to know the model number by any chance?

MF43 by the look of it:
search.php?keywords=supercharge&terms=all&author=bigdog&sc=1&sf=all&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

Panasonic: 235mm (L) x 160 (H) x 125 (W), & 9.5kg

MF43: 235x170x135 (LxHxW)

MF40B20DF: 195x202x128 (LxHxW)
From memory, both are slightly heavier than Panasonic, but it's on their website. Worth checking the battery post fitting & configuration as well.

[Silvia]

BTW My original Panasonic now has given 14 years service!

That would be a record or close to it for a Panasonic, but don't you have a 2002 NB8?

You're right - only 11 years.
Was shocked by Pamex reference to the "dead Silvia"

[NitroDann]

Because I dont care for all the hoopla over using specific parts, I just get whatever works and is good value.

I gave my last battery a VERY hard time killing it a few times and charging it by push start and letting it idle I went to the local battery shop, was a supercharge shop, asked for a used battery, they bench tested it, it was good, paid 50.

Bolted it in and low and behold the one in it was a supercharge gold that was labelled 2004 sell date.

The one I bought was a year old return. It is a supercharge silver.

All been good.

Honestly people just put a battery in it.

Dann

[slees]

Thanks very much for all the feedback and thankyou manga_blue for making the effort to post that pic too.
For me I find all of it very helpful.

[slees]

[quote="slees"]But I have seen this 3 year warranty NB battery on Ebay from a 100% reviewed supplier AutoLink Online;
- Bond Ultimate N43 (or 8AMU1R or 425CCA) $125 + $9 Vic metro delivery
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290887820622&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:AU:1123

Sorry but I posted the same link twice - and got the NB one wrong.
This is the correct link;
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BATTERY-N43-FORD-HOLDEN-HONDA-LOTUS-MAZDA-MITS-RENAULT-TOYOTA-COROLLA-SECA-/290888700821?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43ba515395#ht_4970wt_1165

[93_Clubman]

But I have seen this 3 year warranty NB battery on Ebay from a 100% reviewed supplier AutoLink Online;
- Bond Ultimate N43 (or 8AMU1R or 425CCA) $125 + $9 Vic metro delivery
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290887820622&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:AU:1123

Sorry but I posted the same link twice - and got the NB one wrong.
This is the correct link;
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BATTERY-N43-FORD-HOLDEN-HONDA-LOTUS-MAZDA-MITS-RENAULT-TOYOTA-COROLLA-SECA-/290888700821?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43ba515395#ht_4970wt_1165

Not sure if you're just setting the record straight or looking for a response, but I'd go for a battery that MX5 forumites specifically have been able to provide you longer term feedback on.

[slees]

Not sure if you're just setting the record straight or looking for a response, but I'd go for a battery that MX5 forumites specifically have been able to provide you longer term feedback on.

Yes I was just setting the record straight.
And yes I do agree with you about taking heed of the generous and very useful advice provided on this forum.

That ebay advert is for a product by Bond Batteries, a Ballarat based company.
I have been scouring internet reviews about them and the feedback seems mixed - like it is for SuperCharge - but seemingly a more negatives than for SuperCharge.
When there is a problem some people seem to have experienced service indifference.
What I liked about their product is that is has the 2 breather tube outlets.

The SuperCharge Gold MF43 seems to be the current no nonsense choice.
(you certainly have to give it to bigdog for staying on-message about them
It's a shame there are no breather tube outlets or AGM though.

If I feel I must have those it seems the next best option is the FullRiver HC20 AGM with some fitting modifications required.

I will also call Allmaz in Clayton on Monday and see what they have available.

BTW - do I have go to a Mazda dealer if I wanted and OEM Panasonic?

And I can see why it might seem unnecessary to be so over the top about just a battery.
But it's the only thing I need to do with my MX5 at the moment.
And I always like to feel I've made the best value for money decision with everything I do.
And who knows, there may be other an*l retentives out there that might find some of this useful

[Pamex]

Silvia: Don't panic! It was for a Nissan S13 I got working and sold for a friend.

Although, if you have swallowed a Supercharge battery, we'd like to know. Winter is coming and I am worried that I may need to upgrade to higher cranking ability to get out of bed in the mornings. That might just do the trick!

[93_Clubman]

The SuperCharge Gold MF43 seems to be the current no nonsense choice.

It's a shame there are no breather tube outlets or AGM though.

If I feel I must have those it seems the next best option is the FullRiver HC20 AGM with some fitting modifications required.

BTW - do I have go to a Mazda dealer if I wanted and OEM Panasonic?

Supercharge GT12-35HR is AGM, but no attachment for breather tubes, however if it doesn't malfunction there's no need for breather tubes on the GT12-35HR.

Depending on NA6, NA8 or NB8, & MF43 or MF40B20DF, some people have found they also need to make minor mods.

Last I read Mazda dealers in the US stopped selling the Panasonic some years ago. But Big G seems to have bought one in QLD in Oct 2012. Not sure if there are alternative suppliers for the Panasonic.

[KevGoat]

Honestly people just put a battery in it.

Dann

When I first got Mexie, the battery died. Looked online at all the info about what to fit. In the end, it all became too hard so I just went down to Autobahn and purchased a SuperCharge for $99 with a 2 year replacement warranty. Figured I'd buy the correct battery once the car was fully functional and being used...well, 18 months later, often sitting for periods unused and with an alarm running, that cheap battery is running great. Heaps of start power every time. Still have 6 months for it to fail so I can go get my freebie replacement

All I do is check inside the boot occasionally and around the battery, check the terminals, check for any smell.

It's all I'd fit next time ...

[bear2230]

I use in Scooby a Odyssey pc1200 mjt.
You won't find a better battery. Ive had mine for 3 years now and car sometimes sits for 2-4 weeks without being dríven and powers a serious audio system.
Not cheap but I called these guys up and haggled and got delivered for a little over $320 I think.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Odyssey-PC12 ... 622wt_1071
Its really heavy though at 17kg. So if weights a concern, maybe not the best choice. Fits like a beauty in NB cavity.(just)

SPECS
1200 cranking amps for 5 seconds
60% more starting power
Deep discharge reserve power
2 year storage life
8-12 year design life
Can be mounted in any orientation1090 cranking amps for 10 seconds
900 cranking amps for 20 seconds
Short circuit current over 2600A
44 amp hours
78 minute reserve capacity with 25amp load
Female brass terminal w/M6 SS bolt
Metal jacket
Length 7 11/16"
Width 6.5"
Height 6 5/8"
Weighs 37.5 lbs

A lot of high end car audio guys run this Odyssey or the Stinger spv44. You can buy the Stinger from FHRX studios. I have one of these in my Subaru but the Odyssey is better.

Richard.