New battery options in Melb

JINBA ITTAI · Postby **JINBA ITTAI** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:16 am

I need to get a new battery soon.

I don't want to spend big $$$ to have a super duper unit that lasts 10+ years or an ultra light unit for track work. Just something mid-range, last several years, doesn't throw acid and vents properly.

If MX5 Mania were in Melbourne I would have just get their Federal or SSB and be done with it. http://mx5mania.cart.net.au/epages/mx5mania.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/mx5mania/Categories/Electrical/Batteries

Is there a Mania equivalent in Melb? Or has anyone tried RACV?

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 1:14 pm

IIRC, Silvia on here went with an RACQ battery a few years ago. Also a few years ago a number went with the Supercharge Gold, & before that an AC Delco offering, but these may now not be available. manga_blue went with an iRiver he got off ebay, but he found it didn't last as long as he hoped. See Jules post: http://www.mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtop ... 9&start=15
& Charcoal here: viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72549&p=888126

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 2:13 pm

Can your order it from Mania? Freight could be a bit dear as it's heavy and considered dangerous.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 7:26 pm

I am told that a Federal 8AMU1R ( Federal) is an AGM vented batt and available in Melb- price is competitive a suggestion is Every Battery Heidelberg.
Verify for yourself.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sun Jul 23, 2017 11:31 am

JINBA ITTAI wrote:Is there a Mania equivalent in Melb?

Not exactly, however there's the MX5 Factory at Ringwood: http://www.mx5factory.com.au/

JINBA ITTAI · Postby **JINBA ITTAI** » Sun Jul 23, 2017 2:46 pm

Thanks for all the comments.

@93_clubman you are a veritable encyclopaedia of forum knowledge! From your post I can see members have tried various options over the years. I just had my car serviced at the MX5 Factory recently and paid a pretty penny, so will try DIY this time around.

@bruce it looks like Mania prefers not to ship batteries.

@Mr Morlock thanks for the tip on Every Battery and Federal. The Federal website confirms that model number.

I also checked out Century and Supercharge. The former has an AGM model for MX5, the latter says their equivalent is discontinued.

For future reference for people doing a battery search, here's a link to two three AGM batteries that are (supposedly) suited our MX5s (based the battery finder search function on the manufacturer's websites):

http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/resources/battery-finder/product/ns60lsx%20mf/7618

http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/resources/battery-finder/product/ns60ls%20mf/7618

http://www.federalbatteries.com.au/8AMU1R/

Chuppa · Postby **Chuppa** » Sun Jul 23, 2017 4:46 pm

Can confirm use of the Century AGM battery. Have just replaced it after three years use. $160 fitted at my local mechanic's.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Thu Jun 07, 2018 8:50 pm

Three years out of a Century battery is rubbish. I'd be expecting 7-8 years life.
I need a new battery for the NA. The above Century links are for NB. The Federal one for NA costs $245. I'd rather pay that amount for an original panasonic if they were still available.
I had a Fullriver AGM battery which lasted 8 years. They cost around $240. There has to be something more economical?

LiteIsRite · Postby **LiteIsRite** » Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:20 pm

I installed an Alco MF43 (L) 3 years ago for $140. A good fit in my NA, and going strong, but it’s always kept on a battery charger when the car’s not in use.

takai · Postby **takai** » Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:59 pm

The battery shop (Every battery?) in Kensington, just opposite Flemington Racecourse has proper OEM replacement vented batteries for MX5s.

and1 · Postby **and1** » Fri Jun 08, 2018 3:36 am

So you're aware the NS60LS (or LSX) is a standard lead acid arrangement albeit a maintenance free version in the newer Century design and they are taller than the standard NB battery. I still however run one in my SE

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:55 am

Mr Morlock wrote:I am told that a Federal 8AMU1R ( Federal) is an AGM vented batt and available in Melb- price is competitive a suggestion is Every Battery Heidelberg.
Verify for yourself.

I have a federal something in my car that I can confirm is vented.
No idea on the model number, it's rubbed off the sticker.

As far as fitment, in my NB it was a little too short to allow the clamp to hold it down, so bear in mind that (assuming the 8AMU1R is what I have) in an NB you may need to chock the base up with something.

I just placed a piece of timber under the battery to space it up and it now clamps in perfectly well.

Also note that the vents are in a slightly different position to the ones on the factory battery, so if your vent tubes have gone hard and lost their ability to flex into the new position you may need to replace them (easily available from clark rubber, 6mm vacuum hose if I recall)

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:38 am

I have some american company with a vented batterie.
$365
first time in a long time where the negative terminal actually fits on nicely.
I got them at some random battery place just near me

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Fri Jun 08, 2018 4:12 pm

So pricey. Last battery for Suzuki cost Repco full price of $130! Must investigate options (yes I'm aware of venting, fumes, etc).
My car sits for weeks without moving, so any battery will suffer.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Jun 09, 2018 6:18 pm

Supercharge Gold MF43 & MF40B20DF can be an option for NA & NB - little bit of simple adaptation required for one or both. IIRC MF40B20DF in NA just required slightly longer upright rod for OEM top holder. As you would probably have seen in catalogs SCA & Autobarn sometimes (long weekends) do them for $99. Might be a rebranded Alco MF43 (mentioned above) or vice versa.