Battery Recommendations

GP14 · Postby **GP14** » Thu May 23, 2013 3:44 pm

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 · Postby **Steampunk** » Thu May 23, 2013 7:33 pm

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

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu May 23, 2013 7:40 pm

if the boot and cabin were the same place yeah.

Dann

GP14 · Postby **GP14** » Thu May 23, 2013 9:49 pm

NitroDann wrote:if the boot and cabin were the same place yeah.

Dann

so thats a yes?!

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Thu May 23, 2013 11:03 pm

NitroDann wrote:if the boot and cabin were the same place yeah.

Dann

Huh?

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri May 24, 2013 11:45 am

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

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Fri May 24, 2013 2:34 pm

93_Clubman wrote:Potential to damage the paintwork inside the boot due to fumes.

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

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri May 24, 2013 4:46 pm

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 · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri May 24, 2013 5:01 pm

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

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Fri May 24, 2013 8:12 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:The last 2 editions of the RACV magazine openly acknowledge that the average batt life is 3 years

Always baffled me that most batteries in new cars, not just MX5's, will usually last at least 6-10 years, but as soon as the original battery dies and are replaced, you are replacing them every 2-3 years :frown:

What's so different in the originals? Even buying what appears to be exactly the same battery usually doesn't return the same lifespan.

droo · Postby **droo** » Sat May 25, 2013 2:28 pm

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online ... 8931#Cross

i've had this for 2 years in mine. Completely sealed with no worries on ventilation, the terminals have holes so I used the battery connector bolt holes to connect, it's lighter then standard issue and fits perfectly in the stock battery compartment in my NA8.

Get it when supercheap have a 20% off day and it's just over $100.

Incidentally, i've used a hi-amp battery strap from battery earth to the chassis in the boot as well as a strap from the chassis to the engine, it makes a very noticeable difference to cranking speed (old or new battery irregardless), as the standard strap from the chassis to engine (near the passenger side of the forward of the bell housing) is pretty naffy being exposed to grime and after 20 years, isn't exactly making great contact with each surface.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon May 27, 2013 7:29 pm

Kevgoat raises a valid point and one that many of us have questioned. Aftermarket cheapo batteries are definitely built with planned obsolescence and the 2 and 3yr batteries die pretty much on schedule. The dearer AGM quality batt was more cost effective- you cannot grumble with Mazda using a batt that lasted a user > 10 years.

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Mon May 27, 2013 8:39 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:Kevgoat raises a valid point and one that many of us have questioned. Aftermarket cheapo batteries are definitely built with planned obsolescence and the 2 and 3yr batteries die pretty much on schedule. The dearer AGM quality batt was more cost effective- you cannot grumble with Mazda using a batt that lasted a user > 10 years.

Question though .. do even the replacement AGM's last as well as the OEM?

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Tue May 28, 2013 1:08 pm

Replaced my '89 NA6 original Panasonic around 2002 with an appropriate aftermarket battery & sold the car in 2004. My '93 NA8 had its original Panasonic replaced with another Panasonic in 2000 for $300 - replaced the second Panasonic last year, again with an appropriate aftermarket battery. Of course it remains to be seen how long a recently produced Panasonic will last - so can be worthwhile if you're keeping the vehicle or the battery for the longterm, but not necessarily cost effective these days where vehicle ownership seems shorter. How often do we hear a vehicle is a 'Keeper' only to see it moved on for another 'Keeper'. Nothing wrong with this, but it needs to be factored in to the discussion.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Tue May 28, 2013 1:37 pm

KevGoat wrote:
Mr Morlock wrote:Kevgoat raises a valid point and one that many of us have questioned. Aftermarket cheapo batteries are definitely built with planned obsolescence and the 2 and 3yr batteries die pretty much on schedule. The dearer AGM quality batt was more cost effective- you cannot grumble with Mazda using a batt that lasted a user > 10 years.

Question though .. do even the replacement AGM's last as well as the OEM?

It's more a question of frequency of use. All cars nowadays require a "stay-alive" charge for the ECU (and maybe alarms, audio, etc) so there's a constant small drain on the battery. When charge drops below 80% sulfation occurs, causing degradation and ultimately failure of the battery. New cars tend to be daily drivers and have their charge maintained above the 80% level. Older cars are often 2nd cars and not dríven so much and they may also have charging and electrical leakage problems - so they're much more likely to suffer from sulfation.