General Need a new battery

[ash213]

right, sorted cam belt issue, got new cam belt fitted.

now the damn things battery is flatt, mechanic says need a new battery for sure.

where can i get a cheap dirt one? and how do i fit it? im useless with cars thanks

t reg punto s, year 99

 

[Ziggy122]

You Can Always Try a Local Breakers Yard, But you have No Idea what the condition of the battery will be like

Best bet is a good New battery from a Place Like Halfrauds or a Uni-Part or a good Autofactors place

Ring Around get a prices

As for fitting, Make Sure you take Chains, rings, watchs off You, as if you short yourself on a battery, may god help you

But Simple, Undo 1 terminal (the mk2 uses a 10mm Spanner) and Pull it off, and put it a Side So it doesn't come near the battery, take the other Terminal off and again put it the side so it doesn't come near you

Next Put something Like CopperGrease on the Terminals/Ring clips you just took off, and Refit one at a time, making sure you fasten it down tightly

Wala done
Its a 10 Mins Job really

Ziggy

 

[DaveMcT]

Dont skimp the battery. You save £30 over a cheapo one, but the electrics get a kicking when the engine is cold so a Bosch Silver is well worth the extra wedge.

Undo the earth terminal first (black one). Then undo the live (red one). This way any shorts onto the body work cant do any harm. I always wrap the live in a small tough plastic to be 100% but its overkill really.

Make sure the terminals are clean but dont tighten the bolts like mad. enough so the clamps cant slip on the terminals is enough.

Also fit the battery clamp. If its not bearing on the battery put a suitable block of wood under the clamp. Loose batteries rattle about and the extra vibrations will shorten the battery life.

 

[red]

.... and it can fail MOT for an insecure battery.

 

[richie121]

Ive had one for my Doblo off ebay,was £50 odd pounds deliverd and a lucas premium!
Its a deisel battery so a little dearer than for youre Punto but Halfords are so expensive i wouldnt even go there .
Theyre dead easy to change,just make sure you get the leads the right way round else you will damage the ecu etc........

hope this helps

Kind regards

Richie

 

[SAMTERS TRIAD]

And mind you don't spill the Acid on your clothes when your carrying it, or you will burn holes in them!

 

[Scoobysnacks]

And mind you don't spill the Acid on your clothes when your carrying it, or you will burn holes in them!

All modern car batteries are selaed, so it shouldn't be possible to spill the electrolyte unless you've damaged the casing or deliberately removed the cell caps.

More likely to hurt yourself lifting it out, or drop it on your foot (trust me, I've done it, it hurts!)

And if it doesn't fit properly then you've probably not get the right battery!

I modified my battery tray to fit a more commone battery size, as the teeny little square batteries the mk2 come with as standard aren't much cop power-wise, and cost about twice as much as one of the more common sizes!

 

[DaveMcT]

Mine has the little rectangular battery (though it is an HGT).

Halfords cheapie = £55 (2 year warranty) Bosch Silver = £85 (5 years and much heavier). Other outlets probably cheaper but I had no choice as was away from home when the charge capacity finally went AWOL.

I decided the extra £30 was well worth spending. I dont want to end up stuck in a winter traffic jam with a flat battery because the generator cant keep up with the electrical demands.

 

[Scoobysnacks]

Out of interest white, can you remember what the capacity (amphours or milliamphours) of the two batteries were? I'm not sure the Bosch has a much higher capacity than the standard batteries, though I could be wrong.

 

[DaveMcT]

Bosch Silver (Halfords HSB012)
Startup Power: 530 Amps
AH Value: 54 AH
Bench Charge: 6 Amps
Weight: 13.4kg
Dimensions (LxH): 207x175x168mm
Guarantee: 5 Years

Halfords Lead Acid Battery HB012
Startup power: 400 Amps
AH value: 45
Reserve Capacity: 70
Bench charge: 4.5 Amps
Weight (kg): 11.76
Dimensions (LXH): 207x175x190
Guarantee: 3 Years

In January, I paid £85 for the Bosch (at Halfords) and their other option was a 2 year warranty jobbie which felt really light and cost £55. The online prices look really steep.

 

[Scoobysnacks]

Hmmm, not really that much difference in capacities then. And they all look mighty cheap compared to the minimum £120 I've been looking at for a battery for the jeep!

 

[Moosey]

I agree with what everyone else has said, don't get a cheap battery as it just isn't worth it. A Bosch Silver is the one to go for.

Whereabouts are you? If you're near me (North-West London) i will happily help you get a good quality replacement at a reduced price with my trade parts account.

 

[DaveMcT]

Its about a 25% better capacity in the same sized box so well worth having and the battery will last longer. Winter starting & all the other electrical loads really work the battery and the electric power steering is sensitive to low power so a cheapie batt is false economy.

When I went in they had 2 years, 3 year and 5 year warranty batterys. Back in January it was £30 more for a 5 year over a 2 year so I thought well worth the extra cash. They must have had a sale going on.