Battery Selection

[Gunslinger]

Looking for some advice on battery selection for my mk2 with a 2.5di fitted .... i will have 2 in it mainly for reliability etc etc



i have no idea what ratings are supposed to be fitted, i am considering 2 of these .... are they worth it, or would i be better just going to my local place and getting a couple of larger rated ones from there ?



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Genuine-Ford-Transit-DRY-BATTERY-with-round-posts_W0QQitemZ4588726784QQcategoryZ21654QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



being described as "dry" i am assuming these need acid adding to them but that shouldnt be a problem for me as i think i can get that sorted

[MrMPuk]

What you want is a 069 battery, i believe the 069 bit is the size of the battery. You can get this battery in a suprisingly high capacity as it's used in alot of electricly powered access equipment. Try any good battery supplier.

[Gunslinger]

i'll have a look tomorrow see if my local place can shed some light on the cost of those cheers

(i dont need the right away, but seeing as i have seen these on ebay i thought might be worth looking at now ... i have 7 dam tires to buy yet, so better to spread the costs out a little)

[stevew]

That looks like a very good price
The two I have in mine are 74Ah and 71Ah both 680A cold cranking. I presume that the police are specing batteries that start their vans reliably. The batteries are connected with a split charge relay but I'm not convinced that's the best way to go about it.
As Mpuk says you can get higher capacity batteries that are the same size but make sure the craking current is up to the job. So called 'leisure batteries' are available in various types some of which are very high capacity but will be damaged by the starting current.
Steve

[MrMPuk]

Trouble with buying a dry battery is you've then gotta find someone to fill it!

[stevew]

I thought you just add distilled water, the acid is already in the battery in powder form? Your nearest airconditioning unit is a good source of that.
Steve

[Gunslinger]

i'll check that tomorrow, but i have access to a battery servicing bay where i work, will have a chat to the guys tomorrow and see if thye wll help me out

i too thought those prices looked good, and you recon the cracking ability will be ok and the ah rating ?

[stevew]

It's the same as mine and that always starts on the button.
Steve

[Gunslinger]

cheers

[MrMPuk]

I know lucas used to be about £40 for the 069 battery with the same amp ratting.

[john leeman]

usually 092 battery for a Di 2.5?.

[Gunslinger]

lol ... your gonna confuse me with these 3 letter codes, until i can get hold of a reference guide to cross refer the sizes and ratings etc

[Gunslinger]

done some checking .... i can get the acid put in for free gotta love that

and they seem to be rated high enough, so will probably go for a pair tonight if he still has them( ust checking size against battery tray later), would like a discount on the postage for 2, so i messaged him

[Luke]

i always thought the code ie 069 was 690 cranking amps!!

[MrMPuk]

No mate the 3 digit number is the chassis size.