Ok, so i have my van back together and could start it at anytime. BUT, the batttery in it won't hold charge and the spares i have are for sedans, and even they won't hold charge. So What do people have in there car, brand rating etc. Would be interested to know if anyone has one of those fancy ones that will hold charge over extended periods of no driving. I don't want to have to charge the battery everytime i take the van out. It's on club plates and won't be driven everyweek, just every other week.

Cheers

Aaron

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Barney gets driven once a fortnight, if he's lucky...
Battery is an Exide 550CCA, as used in petrol Landcruiser.
Mini Ha-Ha has one too.
$113 at Big W...

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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.

DO NOT GET NRMA ONES>.... They are CRAP.. I can't remember what I have in me sedan. but it holds charge real well. and i only start the car once a week most of the time. will look when I get home frrom work.

Mine seem to die young.. like 12ish months .....

I'm thinking VIbration is the killer ....

Anyone tried an Optima Gel Battery ?
Probably a lot safer in a "bingle" too !

J

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I have a century maintenece free which is about 500cca overkill i know but my stereo is hooked straight to it

James I saw your battery, it's a budget toy!
Spend a dolla, get a GOOD one...

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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.

Yea.. that one has lasted the longest though.. its been 18 months !

bought it from... Da da Da "Battery World!" ....

maybe pick one up next week.. that one is dying a slow horrible death.....

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Unlike your isolator switch, which is already DEAD...!

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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.

If you want something that will never die, look at CAT (caterpilllar) batteries they may cost a bit but they live forever. I also have a excide 550 in my car aswell and with all the stereo gear i have I've never had to charge it all the best

the problem with batteries is that if they dont have any charge put in them they naturally discharge. normally around 5% per week. so if you want to keep the battery in tip top condition, get a GOOD trickle charger. will save a fortune if you are replacing your battery every 12 months. super charge are good batteries. some of their top line batteries have a 36 month warranty. if you get a trickle charger, make sure it is a sort that is "Floating" so it will not cook the battery. ~$85 for a good one. i bought a small solar panel and reg for my bettery, cost me $225 but has saved my battery over periods where i dont use the car. Personally i use a Trojan, it is a marine deep cycle, 100Ah but 620CCA. plenty of juice for running sound gear. and it is a 10" case, so it fits the battery box in the back of the cluby.

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If only milk and orange juice is meant to come in 2 litres, only cheap wine comes in 5 litres...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13922833@N04/

My 1997 Isuzu NPR 300 truck is used everyday & still has the original batteries fitted, im amazed that it starts everyday, Aaron for my van im thinking of pulling a battery out of one of those supercheap type jump starters, they are small & will fit behind the seat wasily, worth a try i reckon.

Doogie

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I won Hay once, here's the pic to prove it..


Hay, it's not about the car, it's not about the venue, it's about the people that come here. Peter Dwyer, Mayor of Hay NSW.

Ah the joys of selling batteries at your work and getting them heavily discounted

I have a Bond Calcium maintenance free. rated at 550cca (i think?) actually puts out close to 600. and it cost 80 bucks

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

I spent $110 for a battery from K-fart for Pops. It is the best damn battery I have had in a car. Even has a mad handle that folds down and is flush with the top of the battery.

It's in JAM now

580cca I believe. Can't remember brand.....you have seen it though.

I have an optima yellow top battery in the clubby, 820cca i think... I had to get it to source the power for the sound system

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If you want more inches, stroke it
Life's a garden.... Dig It!
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20746

get the biggest CCA battery that you can fit into the battery box. I was dumb, i bought a 400CCA, I should have gotten 580+ But it's been working great!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K