Batteries for everyday use

pishmishy · Feb 7, 2009

Had a spot of trouble with a flat battery in my 200tdi this morning, and with no one around to help had to come and get the AA man to come and give me a hand. Once started he pointed out that my battery which is rated at 520 CCA is barely up to spec for the vehicle.

Now I don't run any winches or accessories (unless you wish to count my rarely used spots) but as I'm a volunteer responder with the local ambulance service I do need it to start reliably. I've seen Optima batteries mentioned here, but I suspect they may be overkill (and overpriced!) for my needs. However, if they really are the mutt's nuts like they claim, the longer life would probably be worth the extra cost.

Any recommendations?

Trewey · Feb 7, 2009

Go to yer local agricultural merchants and buy the biggest tractor battery that will fit into your battery box (and that has the right type of terminals on the rigt side of it).

Oddie · Feb 7, 2009

Someone on here found one that looked pretty reasonable the other day - 1000cch and about the same amps - for about £60 - but you should get similar or better (but without comfort handle and LED's) for a bit less if you go to Trago!

storm99 · Feb 7, 2009

520 cca or cold cranking amps isnt enough, it will be ok until the 1st time its cold or you forget to turn the lights off, then its shot.

I struggled for a while with a 640cca, then i bought one with 1000cca and the difference is amazing.

Well worth the extra outlay, i will never forget, or want to repeat, sitting on the hard shoulder at 5am after running out of diesel then having not enough power to crank the engine enough to get the fuel through!!

Mark

pishmishy · Feb 7, 2009

storm99 said:
520 cca or cold cranking amps isnt enough, it will be ok until the 1st time its cold or you forget to turn the lights off, then its shot.

I think that's pretty much it. I've been fine in colder weather, but it's probably that combined with several short trips over the past few days. I'll try the agricultural route although I'm not sure I know of anywhere reasonably close (Abingdon, Oxfordshire), perhaps I'll pop into Frog Island on Monday and see what they have at the lower end.

Oddie · Feb 7, 2009

You can get em online delivered (can't remember the fred on ere but google batteries and you'll get summat) and it'll be delivered to your door by Tuesday!

Oddie · Feb 7, 2009

ere yar
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f16/4x4-batteries-thought-id-share-you-71039.html

306 sam · Apr 18, 2010

pishmishy said:
I think that's pretty much it. I've been fine in colder weather, but it's probably that combined with several short trips over the past few days. I'll try the agricultural route although I'm not sure I know of anywhere reasonably close (Abingdon, Oxfordshire), perhaps I'll pop into Frog Island on Monday and see what they have at the lower end.

Just found this but just for anyone else in the area there is an agricultural shop called turneys in middleton stoney near bicester

or there is a guy in my village running a company called "New parts" anyone intrested drom me a message and i'll give you his number

Batteries for everyday use

pishmishy

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Trewey

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Oddie

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storm99

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pishmishy

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Oddie

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Oddie

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306 sam

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