Pete145 said:

when the lights, wipers AND indicators are going the wipers slow down and the indicators blink with less vigour.!

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I think that's normal Pete145 and not sure simply fitting a bigger battery wil change it much. Since I fitted an alternator things changed dramatically in that respect.

fiat500 said:

Ironically, when I was minded to look at this again Paulo66 I realise that I probably didn't need a new battery at all, but actually needed a new engine.
But this battery definitely does the job cranking the engine well and I heartily recommend the supplier....really quick and well packaged...even to remotest Scotland.

https://carbatteries-online.co.uk/

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Highly recommended these guy Peter highlighted. I needed a new battery for one of my moderns. Halfords £111.00. Carbatteries online £61.95 including shipping and 5 year guarantee, much better cranking amps. Ordered Thursday morning, delivered Friday morning.

jjacob said:

Probably different battery nomenclature in Europe, but in North America the correct battery size is a 51R. These have lots of power!
John

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Is any 51R ok for the 500 in the USA?

51 and 51R are standard battery sizes. They will be the same size at all stores. Only the cranking amps may be different between brands. It is a battery industry standard size classification.
51 and 51R are the same battery except for the end that the "+" is on. The 51R has it on the right side. Choose the one that works for you best based on the location and length of your cables. The picture of the battery that Peter posted would be a 51.

John

Thanks for the explanation.

Is there a CCA that is recommended or the more the better? One I can get near me in FL is 500CCA.

turbo500 said:

Thanks for the explanation.

Is there a CCA that is recommended or the more the better? One I can get near me in FL is 500CCA.

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CCA is an indication of the internal resistance of the battery. Higher CCA (lower resistance) is "better" but for a small 500 engine it makes little difference. Practically there is more metal in the plate grids and connecting bars in a high CCA battery. This makes them heavier and more expensive to make. For a given physical size a high CCA battery may be lower capacity because active material (spongy lead / lead dioxide) is replaced by solid lead.
One trick for cold start performance where space is limited is to have a small second battery that is normally in parallel with the main one, but during starting powers the ignition, ECU (not on classic 500 ;-) etc. only. Only for really extreme conditions though.


Robert G8RPI.

turbo 500
The answer is "more is better." Batteries are rated at 0 degrees and at 32F. The picture of the battery I posted shows 450 amps at 0 degrees and 525 amps at 32F. So your 500 amp battery would be very good.
Make sure to decide what side you need the positive terminal on. That dictates a 51 or 51R.
John

thanks guys!

Hi,
I bought an 038 35Ah battery from TFM Country stores for 45 pounds, it fits the tray and the car starts fine. I've just seen an interesting post from the hot running thread to say that calcium batteries die prematurely when charged by a dynamo.

Just ordered the 057 battery. I have a 038 at the moment. So 100 more on CCA and + 8 AH is money well spent imo. Especially considering how important the component is for starting the car. Ordered from the same website as others have used. 55 notes and due tomorrow

Rob

Good service from https://advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/

New batt here one day after order and very well packaged. Nice touch with the carry handle. Will fit at the weekend.

R

New 057 battery fitted this morning. 48AH and 430CCA. Very reassuring that the size is much bigger than what was currently fitted, a 027 model, 40AH and 330CCA. Good to have the extra capacity and starting capability. Cheap and easy mod, even I could fit it

Thanks to this thread and the people that posted their advice and findings.

R