killa_paul

So im looking for a replacement decent battery,
the battery i have has lasted about 4 years but because of the alarm and little use it is always going flat.
i have now got to the point where the battery is completly falt after two days and wont fully charge or hold charge this is with an optimate connected .
obviousley i have a clifford ca1 1 alarm and tracker fitted to the car but it seems the current drawn from the alarm is more the the optimate can now keep up with as the battery is so low.
ive tried new acid and water in the battery but its had it.
what are the best heavey duty batteries for the replacement .
its a 2wd sapphire any idea what the bigest battery would fit and how many amp hrs it is,
what batteries do you recomend .. the car doesent get used much atm but will be out in the summer
thanks in advanced

Mad_Mat

Do you want original style flat post or round?

Mad_Mat

If original flat post style options are limited.
numax from eBay etc or lion from euro car parts.
I got the lion from euro car parts about Ł41 with a 50% discount code. Working well with no issues but I also use an isolator when left for extended periods.

bigdel

I have Lion on mine. Not quite as much space for the accessory take off plate that goes over the +ve terminal so had to shave a bit off the terminal to make it fit. Other than that, all good.
I've stripped off all the Lion branding too with the intention of replacing them with a set of Ford graphics, but haven't got round to that yet

killa_paul

not fussed on round or flat posts

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

It's tight with the standard, so don't think you could go much larger.

Even with what you mention, I don't believe the draw would be that great, around half an amp (i.e. 500 Ma) I should imagine, which the charger should have no issue with.

@bigdel yes I have noticed this, with the positive and filed the terminal slightly to get the plate to sit.

I have a Tayna.

Martin

Mad_Mat

Just had a quick check and the lion is Ł41.50 from ecp with code sale55.
if your killa - ing them regularly go with the cheap option mate.

bigdel

Whatever you decide to do, once the new battery is fitted, get yourself a CTEK battery conditioner and leave it connected all the time the car is standing idle (especially for long periods), a constant low drain on the battery will kill it very quickly unless you keep the charge up by some external means
I used to kill a battery every winter whilst the car was laid up. Bought a CTEK about 10 years ago and the same battery lasted until last year when I put the car into storage over winter and forgot to give the storage place my CTEK. It came out of storage and the battery was goosed. By that time, Ford had stopped making the flat terminal batteries so had to get a replacement elsewhere

cossynut2

I have the flat post Tanya on my 2wd Saff. Took the japanese Rising Sun flag sticker off and replaced it with Ford Motorcraft sticker so it looks like original Ford fitment.

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

Remember you mentioned that in another thread, good idea

Incidentally after 16 years I've just replaced a Motorcraft battery, so think I got my money's worth

Martin

cossynut2

You certainly had good service from your Motorcraft battery, most don't last that long.

qed296

Did mine aswell, flat post from andrew pages....Ł40 i think....decals from dmb

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

It sure did, from my first/daily car.

You handing off to a junction, just the one cable?

Martin

qed296

Yeah, made a massive improvement to starting, window operation etc etc....i dis replace the cable with new

cossynut2

What is the round metal dish for next to your battery?

qed296

Extra horn.

tosh

Totally off topic but did all sapph’s have a rubber seal on the bottom of the plastic schuttle panel? Not noticed that before.

cossynut2

Yes, it is on all Saff's. Weather seal for the back of the bonnet.

tosh

Thanks time I start shopping then but have never seen them.

Apologies to the op for interrupting his thread but I had to ask.

killa_paul

as stated previous i have an optimate connected on the battery but its still dead . although it was a halfords battery

cossynut2

I have fitted a solar powered trickle charger that has quite a big solar panel on the roof of my garage and the wire comes inside to connect up and I find providing we get some sunny days it keeps the battery topped up ok. Before I fitted it up it was a pain in the ass as with the drain of the immobiliser 9 times out of 10 the battery was flat when I wanted to take it out and it had to be jump started.

Jules44

where is the rest of the wires?

qed296

8 posts up

Jules44

So what did you use and where from?

qed296

12v/24v terminal block from ebay