Battery Recommendations

[manga_blue]

You've done the opposite to what I do. I went to the little HC20 primarily to gain space. Smaller batteries free up an amazing amount of usable space in the NA boot, especially for long items. I'm not sure if it's the same for NBs though. If I'd had the time to research and find it then I should have bought something like this and installed it in the deep cavity in the boot just behind the driver:

It started my car a dozen times in a row, after disconnecting my fuel injector fuse it cranked
the car for 30 seconds straight.

Mine Weighs 900 Grams. The Hard part was done by a Mechanic Friend of mine.

Has done three track outings and seems fine.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=45988&p=589782&hilit=battery#p589782

I was an instructor in that car for most of a track day and it started well every time (probably 20 or 30 times in fact). For a daily driver that was getting regular charge top-ups it would have been fine.

[aSimpleLife]

Excellent thread. Really appreciate the information. Followed up that suggestion by Pam and rang Allmaz in Clayton. Advised me to go direct to Centre Road Batteries in Springvale (they were so quick I didn't get to tell them Pam sent me - sorry). He said he had a 2 year warranty sealed non-AGM with breather tubes outlets for $115 and he throws in a free long clamp arm in case it's needed (turns out that must be for an NA and don't need it in an NB). When I picked up the battery saw it was a SuperCharge calcium Silver SMF43 (assume it's the same dimensions as the Gold MF43 - didn't ask if he could have put the breather tubes in a Gold as it was too late) and he adds the 2 breather tube outlets himself along with 2 lengths of tubing if you need them. I was very happy with the service. So have now got a fairly cheap sealed battery with breather tubes. Have paid a premium for the breather tubes but am happy with that. If it doesn't work out I'll next try the AGM FullRiver HC20.
As for installing in the NB, it was just a little too wide for the plastic base, and I split that trying to make it fit and for now have nothing under the battery but metal. With the bracket across the top of the battery was just able to squeeze that on and it's all secure and clamped down. The existing cars breather tubes slid on the outlets, although turned one outlet around so they both faced the same way and re applied the silicone. Have included a few pics in case that helps anyone else.

Battery showing added breather tubes.

MX5-battery-new-01.jpg

SuperCharge Silver battery & split plastic based

MX5-battery-new-02.jpg

Installed

MX5-battery-new-05.jpg

Complimentary clamp arm

MX5-battery-new-06.jpg

[Pamex]

Excellent! Glad they were able to help. :-)

[KevGoat]

How do they add the breathers? Do they just drill in to the top of the case and add the tube or is there more to it?

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[aSimpleLife]

How do they add the breathers? Do they just drill in to the top of the case and add the tube or is there more to it?

As per the top picture, from what I can see they have drilled into the top of the case and tapped in 2 plugs then siliconed each to seal. The tubes are added to these plugs. I did not see them do this. I am assuming they are doing the job properly (not that I would know if they weren't). He did say that SuperCharge were aware of what he was doing and had no problems with it. That is as much as I can add.

[rpost77]

Just to add mine to the list of batteries to recommend.

My MX5 is a 1990 NA6.

Battery used is:-

Delkor 22NF330D

On my second one of these - bought in 2009 to replace previous one that lasted for about 7 years.

Can be obtained for around $130 (I got mine from eBay shipped to my door for same price as cheapest store price).

Slightly different size to stock battery so had to get a different holder (taller I think). Also only one breather hole so needed a modified tube.

It is a Calcium no maintenance battery.

Have had issues with the current one due to some vampire circuit somewhere (think it's the remote door locks) so if I don't drive the car for about 2 weeks (happens frequently) the car won't start.

Connect it up to the charger and all good - have done this about 8 times in the last year and the battery is still fine - upgraded to a CTEK MSX10 charger for added security and from the chargers readouts etc. the battery is still good (and the hydrometer display still looks healthy after charging).

Will eventually fix the vampire drain - but when the battery is due for replacement I will get another without hesitation.

[GP14]

I recently got this for free from a friend but have yet to install it. My question is can i use it or do we have to have maintenance free batteries. Also the cold crank amp is only 260. Will that be enough.

thanks

[Steampunk]

Shouldn't use it as it needs to be a sealed battery in the boot.

[NitroDann]

if the boot and cabin were the same place yeah.

Dann

[GP14]

if the boot and cabin were the same place yeah.

Dann

so thats a yes?!

[KevGoat]

if the boot and cabin were the same place yeah.

Dann

Huh?

[93_Clubman]

Potential to damage the paintwork inside the boot due to fumes.

[KevGoat]

Potential to damage the paintwork inside the boot due to fumes.

Yeah ... I didn't read the previous posts properly

[Mr Morlock]

Bound to have been said before - but some tend to read the last 1/2 doz anyway. Batteries are a bit of disgrace..

The last 2 editions of the RACV magazine openly acknowledge that the average batt life is 3 years. Thats pretty miserable. Just replaced a batt in a vehicle and it was 3 yrs 2 mths but it was going a month ago.

The original batts in the NB last +10 years. By all means buy a run of the mill battery from just about anywhere and it will be less than $150 but it's just a battery- absolutely built for obsolescence - prob dead soon after the warranty expires.

[93_Clubman]

Of course, it remains to be seen how long a recently produced Panasonic will last.