New Battery - Advice Please

[matthewb]

Hi all

My battery has failed and now it won't hold enough charge to start the car even immediately after a nice run. But which replacement to go for? I hear differing comments about gel batteries. Any advice on make, type and supplier would be most appreciated.

I also need ...
1. a mains trickle charger for connecting straight to the battery terminals (I already own a "Porsche Charge-o-mat" which connects via the cigarette-lighter socket)
2. a battery-powered portable jump-starter.

Again, any advice on make, type and supplier greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Matthew

 

[964RS]

+1 for the Bosch Silver. Buy from Euro Car Parts http://www.eurocarparts.com/ or GSF German Swedish French parts http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ for best discounts. Disclaimer - other suppliers are available []

Gel batteries tend to have non-standard terminals and are £100+ for even small ampere-hour sizes.

Buy a CTEK conditioner - the best you can afford. I bought a Multi XS 25000, from Knight, which brings batteries back to life! http://www.knightbatteries.com/popup.cfm?p_n=338828&p_i=338828

Don't bother with a battery jump starter - they don't have enough power to get you going and the battery fails on them when you most need it. Better to buy the THICKEST (poor ones are like pieces of string!) jump leads you can find and store them in the car if you are that concerned. I had some made up by my guys at work - big enough to wake Frankenstein's monster!

 

[John Maddox]

Agree with Maurice/Paul - Bosch Silver - got mine from German and Swedish.

 

[harry]

Costco sells Bosch Silver.

Harry

 

[matthewb]

Many thanks Maurice, Harry, John and Paul - I got a Bosch Silver 570-144-064 from GSF £87 all in.

I tested the alternator voltage (13v) - thanks Maurice

I'll buy a CTEK conditioner and not bother with the portable jump starter - thanks Paul.

As I mentioned in my foirts post, I already own a "Porsche Charge-o-mat" which connects via the cigarette-lighter socket. This is made by CTEK. When I connect it, I can change mode (i.e. from motorbike to car) but no other light appears (there's supposed to be a light to show charging status). The instructions say that this may be due to a faulty battery or chassis connection, or faulty battery. I have a new battery so I guess it must be a faulty connection of some sort - or a broken charger. If you have any thoughts, please let me know.

Thanks
Matthew

 

[matthewb]

Many many thanks, Maurice. What a gem you are. In answer to your question, an emphatic "No" - please do continue. One of these days I hope we'll meet-up at some sort of gathering so I can buy you a pint (not PC I know but what the hey). Not being a more active club member is pure lethargy on my part - I'll come along to something soon!