Which Battery?

[mirafioriman]

An interesting aside is that as the current output of the alternator increases the charge voltage can often decrease.

Conversely on many battery chargers the charge voltage will often increase as the current drops as the battery charges. This can be avoided by using a regulated power supply which supplies a constant output voltage whatever the current draw.

For powerful batteries see here

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/

[Thotos]

... my experience suggests that the amp rating of the alternator must match both electricity use in the car as well as the capacity of the battery. Does this make more sense or should I take my Basic Electricity 101 class again     

Miro

At least half of that is right Miro  The alternator should certainly match the electricity use in the car (and have a little bit extra to give to the battery) but there's no alternator match to the capacity of the battery.

[david]

I had a 1987 Lancia Thema turbo in I think 97 ? this car was an LS so had electric everything and air conditioning and the alternator failed. This alternator was a bosch unit either 95 amp or 110 amp ? Now from experience with alternators 99% of the time the fault is with the brush block regulator in the back so I fitted a 45 amp brush block regulator from a sport and it worked perfectly and never gave any trouble.

[theredx19]

Why not fit a DRY CELL unit as it will be one less liquid in the car so removing another rust issue

[sid131]

Jim McGuigan has gel batteries he is the man!

[theredx19]

Daft Dave is the man as we need him running the country 

[sid131]

No Jim Mcguigan is yer man

[parrish]

075 60AH looks like the one.
Thanks guys.
Steve

Miro: ill contat Allison Automtive and see what prices are like.

[paulcas]

The recommended battery for a 131 is an 078.

[/quote]

Theo,
would you recommend a maintenance free or non-maintenance free 078 battery?

[parrish]

078 has the terminals in the wrong place for my car.
Currently the negative terminal is nearest the front of the car.
075 seems to be the right way around.
Steve

[miro-1980]

... my experience suggests that the amp rating of the alternator must match both electricity use in the car as well as the capacity of the battery. Does this make more sense or should I take my Basic Electricity 101 class again     

Miro

At least half of that is right Miro  The alternator should certainly match the electricity use in the car (and have a little bit extra to give to the battery) but there's no alternator match to the capacity of the battery.

[Thotos]

078 has the terminals in the wrong place for my car.
Currently the negative terminal is nearest the front of the car.
075 seems to be the right way around.
Steve

Are you sure Steve? Maybe my ailing memory is failing me again  But with an 075 having the negative terminal towards the front of the car the battery poles will be away from the inner wing. That'll mean that the positive lead will have to stretch to reach. It can be done as I currently have an 075 on my car but an 078 with the negative terminal towards the front will have its poles nearest the inner wing and therefore the positive terminal will reach easier.

[parrish]

Hi Theo,
the little things your learn on this web site are invaluable, it seems i have the wrong battery fitted and its the wrong way around! (see photos).
Ive changed my mind now seems i need a 078 and route the cables the way they should be.
Steve.

[Thotos]

Yes Steve, that's an 075 battery the wrong way round. But it looks as if someone has replaced the brown wire connected to the positive terminal with two thinner ones (this should be the wire that goes to the alternator) and in your case it's long enough to go round the washer bottle. Normally there's a thick brown wire coming from a connector near the inner wing that's not long enough to go round the washer bottle.

[theredx19]

Why dont you positive earth the battery as this removes alot of the rust risk as most machines are wired this way and they never disolve like a 131