Technical correct battery spec?

[taffie999]

I have a 2010 Panda 1.2 Dynamic. I'm having intermittent power steering issues and someone has suggested hanging the battery. It is the original from new, so 8 years old, and the voltage reading this morning was 12.39 volts. This seems low although it always starts first time.
I will be fitting a new battery, but the spec suggested by Eurocarparts etc is the 012 battery(cheaper from Ebay, although still from ECP). The original was an Exide 360 with 50ah , the replacement suggested has 40ah. Is this enough? I don't want to cause any potential problems with the power steering, which from what I have read is power hungry

 

[murfman53]

Hi,

I'd be inclined to run with the 40ah, as it should ok on a 1.2 engine. If you had a

1.3 diesel engine I'd would be advising the 50ah, simply because it requires more

cranking amps. At 12.39 volts from your battery means its partially discharged

condition. Does your battery come with the "magic eye" This indicates the condition

of your battery. GREEN means its in good condition, a darker colour means its in a

discharged state, and may need charging. You are right in saying the electric power

steering consumes a lot from the battery, and can, if left low, affect engine ECU and

sensor readings, and in turn affect engine performance. A good fully charged battery is

a must. I have a 2007 Panda 1.2 Dynamic and it has a 40ah battery in it, never had

an issue...................................TOUCH WOOD!!!

John.

 

[taffie999]

Thanks for the response. After much research ( it's our third car so I wanted to keep costs down), I found a Bosch S3 012 battery, which is supposed to fit, for around £65 at ECP (after 35%discount) but, lo and behold, bought from ECP via Ebay, for under £44. I feel that's a great buy. It comes with 45ah, and 400cca.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

www.varta-automotive.co.uk

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

https://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/

 

[koalar]

For a 1.2 2009/10/11

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

Unless it's got start stop

Then it's 12V 60AH 560A


Does depend on a lot of factors. Temperature, how often the car used. How far each trip and so on.

2003-2009 is 40AH to 44AH for the 1.2

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Bosch=made by Varta...

 

[TimS00]

My 2009 Dynamic Eco (1.2, the one with air-con) has its original battery & it's an Exide 50Ah, if that helps. Just about to replace it since the car's having infrequent power steering failures just after starting, with the clock resetting to 00:00. Always starts fine though.

Without the engine running, I could get the battery voltage down to 11.6 with ignition & lights on within a couple of seconds.

 

[Stavros2]

After having various problems that were battery related, i fitted an exide 53 amp from Tanya batteries £50 odd notes delivered, it has cured everything, fitted perfectly and replaced a 38amp original, best move i ever did.

 

[jrkitching]

Just be glad you don't have Stop/Start; the S/S batteries cost twice as much and only last half as long.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Just be glad you don't have Stop/Start; the S/S batteries cost twice as much and only last half as long.

Just switch it off...

 

[koalar]

I bet the higher capacity fitted from 2009 is because the original was failing within warranty due to it being marginal and it was cheaper to fit the higher capacity.