Hi all,

As the title suggests, I'm after a new battery for my car (and my dad's mini too).

I was wondering what people are using these days? I want the best/biggest one that will fit inside a standard mini battery box with no issues.

James

_________________
I wish I had some sort of witty quote in my signature

I'm running a big Century one. 640? CCA. I've had good life in the past from these, also Exide and Lion brands.
I find big batteries last longer than small ones, because even when on the way out they crank better than an old little one would.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

optima yellow tops are good for intermittent use, they hold their charge well- not sure of the one that is exact fit??? but weighs in at about 17-18kg from memory (d34????) not as many cca as the one doc suggested but does pack a good wallop

Optima Yellow Top D51 will fit easily. Around 490CCA, 11.8KG.

There are some concerns lately about their quality since manufacturing was moved to Mexico. The web forums are replete with dissatisfied users it seems. I bought a Red Top a while back and it lasted 3 months - wouldn't hold charge. I've got Yellow tops now, one's been going for 6 years no problems. The good thing about them is they charge up quickly and can be discharged and re-charged many more times than a lead acid equivalent, useful for a car that's not driven often. Downside is the price, though the D51 is not too bad.

I think next time I'll go with Supercharge Gold Series batteries, been hearing lots of good things about their longevity and quality. Autobarn stock them.

_________________
Slide
1965 Mini Van (1360)
1970 Mk2 Cooper S (1310)
1978 Rover SD1 V8 (4.6)
1996 Land Rover Discovery V8 (4.0)

I'm with the Doc,

Century 620 on special at Supercheap.......

Working great so far!

_________________
Cooper S Mk2
Cooper S Mk1
ex Cooper S Mk2, various Morris 1100s, 1300s, 1500s, Leyland Sherpa!

I've been using a Delcor 540CCA Calcium battery. I had the same in my old daewoo - it lasted ~13 years and over 350,000km before it finally died.

I got 8 years out of a Century one in my boat once. That's a record...!

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I have been getting over 10 years out of Centuary batteries in my Cooper S. I usually charge them up about every 6 months and car only comes out 3 or 4 times a year. Try to not let them go completely flat.
I am currently using 620CCA but Any thing over 500CCA should be OK.

_________________
1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

Really anything over 250CCA will probably do the trick, but the way I see it, a worn-out 540CCA will still work fine, whereas a 250CCA can't drop too far before starting becomes an issue. Get a big battery for the long haul.

Thanks everyone.

The Century 620 looks like a good option I think.

Just going through the supercheap site - There appears to be a heap of 620 CCA models, do I need a specific model, are there some that are not compatible with my electronics?

http://search.supercheapauto.com.au/sea ... 0620%20CCA

e.g like - 67EF - 620CCA or 68 620CCA or 75D23L 620 CCA... Their descriptions aren't very insightful

James

_________________
I wish I had some sort of witty quote in my signature

The different variants are mainly different terminal locations or sizes, or the battery itself is a different size.

I just put a 75D23L in my car a couple of days ago. I wouldn't have got anything much bigger in there!

If you have a RH tank in, you want the + terminal at front and towards centre of boot space. To keep terminals away from tank.
Mine is a #67. It is 620CCA.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online ... mendations

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

For negative earth then the -ve terminal should be towards centre of the boot and closest to boot opening. Not sure if I have just said same as Drmini?

_________________
1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

Have an alco 750CCA one in the car here...best $150 I have spent and a 3 year warranty...flips it on its roof and has the pretty little green view window in it.

The battery terminals have about 20mm clearance from the RH tank but have a new cover for it and a check strap around the lot to hold it firm. The thing I had to do is buy some longer hook bolts as the battery retaining plate sat about 3mm proud of the bolts when battery in place and holes lined up. Went to a nut and bolt place here and bought new full eye bolts in SS then hit them with the angle grinder and took a quadrant out of both of them.

Wing nuts were new and wang it down well and just sit proud of the thread when tightened. Strap goes under the battery and through the slots in the battery cover and is tightened down so won't flap about.

_________________
Rob Forsyth
Miniot!!

You want the biggest CCA battery that you can fit into your battery box. If you don't drive your mini every day or even every week then they eventually die from sulfation as I have found with my battery.

I now have a optima Yellow top D34 750CCA, fits fine. I run a CTEK charger once it's parked. Not all trickle chargers are the same, CTEK unit for $110 is the best to maintain a battery long term and make it last twice as long, or so they say....

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K