43 replies to this topic

[Mrstars11]

Hi all,

When I bought my austin a couple of weeks ago, and the battery in it was totally balls. It was flat as a pancake.
So a trip to halfords and I got myself a new battery. Asked the guy and got one off the shelf, the right model and all. And it's been fine, starts up first time and everything.
However, ive noticed when im sat at lights the voltmeter in the car drops pretty rapidly, from around 13v to the red bar on the reader about 12v ish. Now this isn't causing me any problems but im worried as the seasons progress and it starts to get darker I'll need lights, and probably wipers. And it would be nice to have the stereo on.
And I'm worried that the battery won't have enough juice for all of it.
I've done some research online and I'm reading a lot about people upgrading the battery to Peugeot 306 diesel batteries or 075 batteries???

Is this purposely so the battery holds more power on its own to run lights and stereos and stuff?
Is it necessary or just a choice people make etc, im pretty new to this whole thing. So any sort of "mini owners" tips and hints would be great.

Thanks all.
Dom.

[HarrysMini]

What battery do you have in it currently? 

[Yoda]

One mini owners tip i can give you, is.

 

Dont buy a battery from halfords. LOL

 

You may have an alternator issue if your battery is going that low.

 

But seriously. Halfords batteries are becoming known to be low on quality.

Edited by Yoda, 24 June 2014 - 01:03 PM.

[Kieranlee999]

your alternator will charge it when youre driving so i dont really think it's a concern as anything that gets used from standing will be charged up when driving :)

[Yoda]

If the alternator is charging correctly, you should see the voltmeter reading around 13.5 - 14.5V while driving the car without the lights on. Maybe its just a dodgy volt meter?

[KernowCooper]

I was thinking the same test it with a good lcd multimeter, I've seen car ones out by a volt!

[Mrstars11]

Ok guys. So it's a halfords hb053 battery. Purchased last week.

LCD meter with the engine off reads 12.7v
Engine on and after a few good revs reads 13.1/12.9
But I am on my own at the moment. Making it tricky to see how it's rising as the revs are on. Can't do both at once.
So it sounds like it's ok.
I think to be honest because when I got it and it broke down on the way home due to battery issue. I'm just a bit cautious and in trusting in regards to the battery. And I know they don't so well with stereos and stuff in minis. But I see plenty people with them and way more speakers and fog lights etc. so I figured is a battery upgrade a must. For these kinds of things. I don't even understand how you can upgrade the battery etc. is it just a bigger battery so more power is in it to begin with. Like higher than 12.5v when no ignition is on etc. :s

[Cerberus]

Not higher than 12.5V, the voltage stays the same, but the capacity of the battery increases.

 

From say 35-40Ah (amp hour) to whatever the higher ones are, 60-70Ah.

So yes, it's got more power, a bulb would run for longer on the bigger battery than the smaller one, but it wouldn't be any brighter.

 

 

The bigger batteries will usually also have a higher "Cold cranking Amps" value, which, basically, the higher it is, the better it'll turn the engine over when starting (hence why bigger cars with bigger engines have a bigger battery).

Edited by Cerberus, 24 June 2014 - 09:06 PM.

[Mrstars11]

Awesome, so a battery with a bigger ah would be able to sustain electrics on the car for longer, without being charged by the alternator. For example starting the car from cold on a winters night, would mean turning the lights on right away, before the battery has been charged by the alternator.
A lower ah battery would find it harder to power lights and stereo as well as start the car from cold.
So the advantage to a higher ah battery would be the car would be more likely to start even with the lights on high beam and the stereo on.

That's right. Isn't it. .... :s

[Mini Manannán]

Awesome, so a battery with a bigger ah would be able to sustain electrics on the car for longer, without being charged by the alternator. For example starting the car from cold on a winters night, would mean turning the lights on right away, before the battery has been charged by the alternator.
A lower ah battery would find it harder to power lights and stereo as well as start the car from cold.
So the advantage to a higher ah battery would be the car would be more likely to start even with the lights on high beam and the stereo on.

That's right. Isn't it. .... :s

 

You've got it.

[blackbelt1990]

It also means you can show off and jump start huge saloon cars for stranded motorists lol

[Mrstars11]

Nice, showing off in a mini. What dreams are made of.


Now the main question for me now then is quite simple, well questions really.
The battery i have in now which seems ok for now with no lights or stereo on is a decent "summer" battery. But when winter comes, and I hear winter is coming. An upgraded battery would be a good idea so that I can start my car, have the radio on, lights, heater and heated back window.

So, what battery is the suggested upgrade for a 1988 austin mini Mayfair?
Is it this 306 diesel battery thats the standard choice for everyone?

Also I'd assume that people running spotlights on their grills are using a better battery. .???

[KernowCooper]

The current running will be provided by your alternator, if running your alternator cant provide that current and the battery is supplying amps during the trip, then you will end up with a flat battery. A 075 is a popular upgrade and fits inside the battery box ok. If your in doubt yours is charging correctly do the tests in the FAQs electrical section here http://www.theminifo...charging-facts/

[Mrstars11]

Thanks again kernow.

So, sorry to be a bit thick, my battery now (hb053) should run lights, stereo, heater and heated back window providing my alternator is running correctly and charging the battery as it should...or, the alternator would run an upgraded battery enough to run all those things.

I've noticed when I'm moving along the volt meter in the car rises a little. But I'd say if I stop at lights even for just a couple of minutes that drops down pretty low, pretty rapidly. My worry would be if I have heater lights and stereo running, and sit in traffic, the battery would be too low, meaning my car would break down.

[Mrstars11]

Would a 075 mean a battery like this would be sufficient?


http://www.eurocarpa...70758&0&cc5_995