Hi All,
I have a 2008 Panda 1.2 4x4.
I am looking to replace the battery the current one is old and low specs.
Looking online is a minefield so I would like to know if an S4 Bosch 012 52AH
420CCA which is 217 x 175 x 190 physically fit and are the specs ok.
Sorry if I have asked an age old question but I cant find an answer.
Hope someone can help.
Steve.

You don't need a huge CCA, but do need the charge capacity to cope with the steering (and other) loads when cold.

40AH with 250 CCA should be fine. Measuring the battery tray will tell you what will physically fit. I'll do mine later.


I say that because my 1200cc twin cylinder high compression BMW bike engine has just 4AH and 220CCA. It starts easily at well below zero oC, yet the starter has to move pistons twice the size of the 1200 Panda. But it has no electric steering, heater fan, heated window, etc, to feed so has no need for a high AH capacity.

the more powerful the battery, the less stress it suffers on starting, less stress equals a longer life

I bought one of these from Amazon, free delivery and turned up the next day. Fitted perfectly.
[ame]https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00KNQU2BI?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title[/ame]

Spike

post 09 cars have an upgraded battery which is what I would use as the minimum

12V 52AH 470A or 12V 54AH 530A according to the Bosch website

Unless it's got start stop

Then it's 12V 60AH 560A

and pre 09 is 40AH to 44AH

any type 012. 210x190x175mm will fit

09 johno said:

the more powerful the battery, the less stress it suffers on starting, less stress equals a longer life

Click to expand...

Of course but bigger than necessary is money spent for no gain.

Deep cycle batteries can take a deeper discharge but wont give the high current hit a starter needs. High CCA starter batteries give a hefty kick but have poor reserve capacity. The Panda is an interesting case because it needs a high capacity (AH) to keep the power steering happy, and does not need a huge cranking current (CCA).

To put that in perspective, the petrol starter will be about 1.5 KW = 125Amps @ 12V. Even 3KW (which is way beyond what our starter can deliver) is only 250 Amps. That makes a 450 CCA pretty pointless as the high current will never be used.

To get genuine long life the solution is a LiFePo4 lithium battery. They have 10x the charge/discharge cycles of a lead acid and they can use 95% of the capacity against 30% for a lead acid so can be a lot smaller. But they are more money and to date they are not offered for cars. I have one on the bike because its left unused for long periods and can handle disuse with no problems. Lead acids (all types) hate standing and will quickly degrade if not used at least 1x a week or kept topped up.

Easydoesit said:

Hi All,
I have a 2008 Panda 1.2 4x4.
I am looking to replace the battery the current one is old and low specs.
Looking online is a minefield so I would like to know if an S4 Bosch 012 52AH
420CCA which is 217 x 175 x 190 physically fit and are the specs ok.
Sorry if I have asked an age old question but I cant find an answer.
Hope someone can help.
Steve.

Click to expand...

yes fits assuming 175 and 190 are the wrong way round ?

yes specs okay as long as your car doesn't have start stop.

If you have the measurements of the battery tray, stuff in the battery with the biggest numbers you can get..


Ralf S.

Just fit a reasonable spec battery and don't use the start stop. Around 12 minutes he explains why there's no need for a big fat battery.