Best battery replacement for an NB

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:45 pm

I just take it for a drive at least once a week.

Let the alternator work for it's living.

cometboy · Postby **cometboy** » Wed Sep 19, 2018 8:55 am

Yes, love the CTek 0.8amp battery tender! They are a good solid design.... I have a couple. Only issue is they need to be plugged into to 240v which in some of my areas means running an extension cord.

Re the cheap plastic framed all in one battery maintenance panels. Sure they sort of work (?) but I have had two problems with the ones I bought from JayCar:

1 - The plastic doesn't have much resistance to UV and as a result mounting them in the full summer Adelaide sun/heat kills the small panel array within a couple of years. One did work for almost four years!
2 - My view as a electronics guy is.... the electronics is very very basic and can't be compared to the proper charge controllers like the Ctek or Ozcharge - But glad you are happy with the Supercheap product, maybe they are a much better product then the JayCar item....

In my view, the best option when 240v is easily available is the Ctek or Ozcharge units etc. Or the BlueSolar or similar with a suitable small IP rated solar panel when AC power is not convenient.

Interestingly this is the Notice Sheet included with the FullRiver.

Charge 10h.jpg

cometboy · Postby **cometboy** » Wed Sep 19, 2018 10:07 am

Looks like Ctek only sell the CTEK XS0.8 TRICKLE BATTERY CHARGER for around $70 currently.

They seem to still bundle the M300 Starter unit with several of their expensive larger chargers.

Both features fully automatic ‘connect and forget’ 6 step charging

I’ve picked up a couple of these M300 Starter units at boot sales because most people that buy the larger chargers have no need for the trickle charger.

IMG_4897.JPG

apsilon · Postby **apsilon** » Wed Sep 19, 2018 11:25 am

You can get them on ebay for 20% off currently with the PARKING code that just started at 10am today for some sellers. Sparesbox have the XS0.8 listed at $72.95 so 20% off will bring it down to $58.36 with free delivery. No affiliation etc, I'd just been looking recently as I don't drive my MX5 all that often and right now it's laid up while I'm completing some work.

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Wed Sep 19, 2018 11:43 am

That's around the price I paid for my two a couple years ago so good price. Might buy one for my son. Thanks for the heads up...

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Blesif · Postby **Blesif** » Fri Sep 21, 2018 5:33 pm

The recommended Century is too tall and spills lots of acid if you track your car. The vents don't prevent this so it is a problem you need to be aware of.
It does fit (just) if you remove the battery tray. Not sure how the Fullriver goes on the track so interested in opinions.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Sep 21, 2018 7:20 pm

Blesif wrote:Not sure how the Fullriver goes on the track so interested in opinions.

I've used 3 Fullrivers over the past 10 years in an NA.

The first SPV35 was too large and heavy, took up too much boot space and sulfated badly after 2 or 3 years because I used a crap charger between track days.

The second was an HC20. It was tiny and light and was very good for track days but not really up to day to day use with the odd week off. Basically there was nothing in reserve if you left the parkers on or something like that. I'd recommend it for track cars but not dailies.

I have an HC28 in the car now. It's been the best of the three for performance and life, though using a C-TEK MXS 3.8 charger whenever I garage the car for more than a week has a lot to do with that. It's still nice and small and the squat shape means it's easy to get things like a full set of golf clubs and a buggy in the boot. I'd recommend this one for track/daily compromise.