Batteries

[Higgy]

Just a quick one, Its time for new Batteries for the 24v 80 (with 24volt start).... The batteries on it at the moment are a mixed bag of Halfords and some other unknown Brand.. Both different sizes. But when i try to look up the correct CCA or AH or what ever, There is always conflicting Info of what is what, They are the same Batteries that were on it when i bought it so have done me proud... So can anyone tell me once and for all.... If im gonna be spending at least a couple of Hundred Quid i want to get it right.... Cheers chaps

 

[Chris]

The first battle really is finding a matched pair that come in left and right hand. The CCA and Ah etc bit is really not vitally important. They are all cranking batteries and if you're not using them with solar input, running fridges off one and not the other etc etc then as long as they fit correctly in the trays then you'll be fine. I know that Yuasa do make a left and right. Genuine Toyota ones are sometimes a surprise too - in a good way. I'd make that the bench mark. Find what they'd be from your dealer then see how you go from there. I've used Batterymegastore in the past and Milners too. Many suppliers seem to list one side but not the other. I guess part numbers will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

 

[Higgy]

Cheers Chris, So getting 2 Batteries of equal CCA or AH or what ever is fine Yes?...Il have a hunt round

 

[Tractionman]

Varta or Exide are others in both hands, Higgy. Don't know if sizing is right for you though.

 

[Juddian]

I'm 99% sure the Halfords battery i replaced last year or maybe the one before on the Forester was a Yuasa product, same design, same model number as was its Yuasa equivalent, never failed or anything but wasn't turning the engine over fast enough for my liking, seeing as i start work at 4am most days no starter clicking or failures to proceed wanted, replaced with highest performance Yuasa from Tayna that would fit...you will struggle to beat Tayna for price.

Two 12 month old Toyota brand batteries on the 120 when we bought it, so now over 5 years old and show no signs of weakening or failing, as Chris suggests maybe get a price from Mr T as a starting point and see what's out there.

 

[flint]

+1 on checking with your local friendly (?) Toyota dealer. I rang round a couple of years ago and the price was as good as anywhere. So far no problems.

 

[Higgy]

Thanks Chaps, RoughTrax list Toyota Batteries at a decent Price But no longer Deliver... Cant find anything at Milners... I could give Toyota at Canterbury a ring ... But last time i was in there i needed Medical Treatment when they told me how much they wanted for a Tail gate Badge.... Im never 'gonna' let that Go....

 

[Trevor]

I've used the Varta Blue G7 and G8 batteries in all the cruisers I've had in the last 10 years. The 2 model numbers give you the correct terminal orientation so easy peasy, one is slightly more expensive than the other which I can never get my head around.

 

[Higgy]

Iv been to a few Stores this morning, Looked at Yuasa 3000/5000 but they only have the single battery option, confusion all round when i explained the Twin Battery set up and the Poles for the other battery need to be the other way round, My local Halfrauds just don't do a twin battery set up.... Why have Battery manufacturers never come up with the idea of poles on the centre line so to speak.... Anyway found a local Battery supplier that did know what i was talking about and had loads of them in Stock, Not cheap 'tho' ... £180+ VAT for the two and that was the cheapest option.... Voltex or Vortex i think they are called

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Local motor factors Varta G7 and G8 £164+Vat.

 

[Towpack]

2 x matching Varta's (Blue Dynamic) £191 inc Vat from SYBS in Sheffield. The truck had pair of these on when I bought it and they lasted 9 years. The replacements bought in Jan 2015 lasted just over 5 until one of them went down. I could probably have got away with replacing just one but thought better of it.

 

[Higgy]

Just found another pair at East Kent Components Truck supplies.... £150 +VAT... Dynamic Blue....... Pick them up in the morning, Iv wasted £20 on driving about and phone calls....So thats it im going with them... Chap was very helpful and got them on the shelf..... Better than the blank expression i got from the boys at Halfords

 

[Tractionman]

I've got those varta g7 g8 as per Trevor, after he recommended them.

 

[Higgy]

All the stockists round here all had the Varta's and the Yuasa's and the Hankooks and lord knows what else, But shelves full of Batteries all Identical... Plus down in the Backwater of East Kent, They all think they are something special, So in return we have to Pay London Prices....

 

[Tractionman]

I had the same performance like you Higgy, with my 78 some years ago.
Battery 'specialists' that have no forking clue about handed batteries, and others that want to charge a premium thinking they're sommat special. They're batteries FFS!
Good luck, now you've sorted it.

 

[StarCruiser]

Bosch batteries I believe own Varta and the Varta and Bosch offerings are identical in appearance if not everything else. I have a pair of Bosch ones on mine atm. Got them from local motor factors a couple of years or more ago. Any struggle you may be experiencing may be down to import difficulties as there’s a right mess going on with shipping containers stuck at ports such as Felixstowe and preventing ships from unloading. Things is generally getting difficult to obtain.

 

[Towpack]

I've always had great service form South Yorkshire Battery Specialists in Sheffield. They also have premises in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool. They had the handed batteries for the 80 in stock. I needed a sealed LA battery, some years ago, for a 12v bath chair and they had one in stock for £17+Vat when the same thing from the chair supplier was over £100.

 

[Juddian]

On the subject of batteries, years ago when the original set on my 70 were getting a bit slow turning the engine over, though never a failure to proceed, i shopped around and happened upon a set of Hella batteries (sided correctly), never seen a Hella battery before and can't say as i've seen them for sale since, anyone any idea who made them and why we don't hear of them any more?

Out of interest they performed brilliantly.

 

[karl2000]

My local Halfrauds just don't do a twin battery set up...

Surprised about that because I got handed Yuasa's from hellfrauds for the 120. And as you know, the 120 should be your benchmark of whats GOOD.

 

[Higgy]

Most places i went to who didn't have the paired Batteries, Would recommend somewhere else..."Oh try so and so they'll have Them", Then a five mile trip to so and so... To be told 'Nah' mate sorry!.. In the end you start thinking i should have got the first pair i came across irrespective of Price....... And Yes the 120 SHOULD be the benchmark of what's Good, But i think the Memo is still in the out tray........ Somewhere