17 replies to this topic

[kwacktastic]

Hi all,

Winter is almost here and true to form, my Cooper's battery was starting to struggle with the crisper Autumn mornings. The time had therefore come when it was necessary to replace the battery with something a little more substantial.

I happen to own, for my sins a Peugeot 307 diesel and carried out a few measurements of the battery and convinced myself it would fit into the standard battery box of my Mini. I therefore went off to Halfords to see if they had a suitable battery available. I checked in their "look-up" table and found that they offered an upgraded version to fit the Peugeot - model HCB096. It's specification was very impressive - 700 CCA (Cold Test Current - Amps) compared to 300A for a "heavy-duty" mini battery; 75AH battery capacity (compared to 45AH) plus 130 minutes reserve capacity (@ 25A) - all-in-all a major improvement. It turns out that these batteries are manufactured for Halfords by Yuasa (well known for their motorcycle batteries). The battery itself is a deep-cycle calcium technology device and comes complete with a four year guarantee.

I therefore shelled out £80 sale price (normal rrp in Halfords is £100) and fitted it without problems, apart from the fact it weighs a ton! I'm sure with a bit of searching on the internet you could get one a bit cheaper. It is a very tight fit in the battery box and requires the battery clamp rods to be moved to the widest holes. The spare (13 inch Sportspack) still fits, but only just!

Since fitting, the mini starts quickly and easily and has given no problems - let's hope it remains reliable through the rest of the cold stuff!

Cheers,

Kwack.

[Bungle]

i thought everyone knew about pug 306 batterys

got one fitted in my mini

[Retro_10s]

This can be done on non Fuel injected minis too, not just MPI's

[Sprocket]

Ford Focus batteries are also a good bet

[kwacktastic]

Obviously not everyone! Sorry if I wasted anyone's time. I'll think twice next time!

My point was that Pug 307 batteries fit too and that Sportspack spares still fit in the wheel well - having browsed through the forum entries on this site, I hadn't spotted a reference to this larger battery. The "096" battery is the best spec I could find to go in the space available. The "027" type fitted to most diesel 306s is still very good and a significant improvement over the standard mini offering. As the "096" battery fills the whole box area, you'll need to be careful when conecting the positive lead to the termininal to make sure it doesn't short on the bodywork. Given the capacity of this thing, it could result in quite a fireworks display if you're not careful!

Cheers,

Kwack

Edited by kwacktastic, 16 October 2006 - 06:03 PM.

[fikus01]

what about smaller batteries for the mini? im running a competition mini and i need the smallest lightest battery that stil has the power to start a mini!! i was thinking along the lines of a micra battery but the posts are too small and i already got quick release battery clips for mini sized terminals!!

[kwacktastic]

You'd probably be best looking at motorcycle batteries though these generally have a relatively small capacity (typically < 20AH). You'd also need to make modifications to the battery posts. Maybe one of the deep-cycle Odyssey batteries would be suitable - there are considered to be the "Rolls Royce" battery in classic motorcycling circles.

Take a look at this link.

Cheers,

Kwack

[mini93]

theres always the redtop batterys aswell, not sure about how well the handel everything but there also sealed for competition use

[fikus01]

im a seasoned cheapskate and dont like paying for something if i dont need it!! regs say i dont need sealed dry cell battery so im not having!! just tryin to save myself a bit of weight for minimum dollar!!

[nomininolife]

You can get terminal adaptors for the japanese batteries, so your existing batttery connectors will fit.

Any battery specialist should stock them.

Edited by nomininolife, 16 October 2006 - 07:38 PM.

[Retro_10s]

Sorry if I wasted anyone's time. I'll think twice next time

pfft not at all mate!.... it's good to see members simply offering up information on subject some people don't even consider!. it's useful!

[Poppet2]

Obviously not everyone! Sorry if I wasted anyone's time. I'll think twice next time!

My point was that Pug 307 batteries fit too and that Sportspack spares still fit in the wheel well - having browsed through the forum entries on this site, I hadn't spotted a reference to this larger battery. The "096" battery is the best spec I could find to go in the space available. The "027" type fitted to most diesel 306s is still very good and a significant improvement over the standard mini offering. As the "096" battery fills the whole box area, you'll need to be careful when conecting the positive lead to the termininal to make sure it doesn't short on the bodywork. Given the capacity of this thing, it could result in quite a fireworks display if you're not careful!

Cheers,

Kwack

Thanks, This sounds like a good battery to buy. How do you stop the positive lead to the terminal from shorting on the bodywork, is there anything in particular that can be used to stop this?

[tiger99]

You MUST use an insulated terminal on any Mini, because the cardboard cover over the battery is not sufficiently safe, on its own, to protect against shorts caused by whatever you are carrying in the boot. All car electrical suppliers, and Halfords, stock battery terminals and insulated covers.

 

If, even with an insulated cover, any part of the terminal is near the edge of the battery box, you may have to make up a piece of insulating material to fit over the edge, and glue it in position. You could skin it locally with fibreglass. Or, do some minor cutting, bending and welding, to get local clearance.

 

It there was sufficient clearance around the battery (probably not in this case) you could use a battery box liner, basically just a box made from acid-resistant material such as polyethylene, which would effectively shield the terminals from the metalwork of the shell, as well as preventing acid corrosion, the reason why they were made. Something like this:

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...sd=111251678162

[Poppet2]

Great post Tiger99. Very informative.

Did those battery boxes and cardboard covers come as standard to all mini's.

[tiger99]

No, standard fitment as far as I am aware was always just the welded-in steel battery box, a battery retaining clamp, two insulated "pot" tyoe terminals (potentially unreliable, best changed for split clamp type, and no need for insulation on the negative terminal), a cardboard cover over the top, and an elastic strap to hold the cover. The plastic liner was an aftermarket part. I think that in some cases the negative terminal may not have been insulated. Van, traveller, etc had the battery in a different place, and they had a plastic tray underneath the battery. See here:

 

http://www.somerford...page=page&id=70

 

Somerford are naughty, showing a replacement positive terminal of the split clamp type, item 53 or 81, and no insulating cover!