Hi all, just moved the car so I can get in the garage and it was very reluctant to start, certsinly electrical related. The car is near 8 years old and on its second battery with the first being replaced under warranty at about 2 years old so the one in there has been doing its thing for almost 6 years now! My best guess is its the battery as I have started it 3 times and its more and more reluctant to start each time, I will be suprised if it starts tomorrow evening. I am going to call the AA since I am paying for the cover but im not crazy enough to buy a battery from them if they say it is the issue.

What are the best value options and what am i looking for? The battery i have doesnt seem to have any markings that are obvious so i am unsure what to look for.......

Any advice much appretiated

 

Ian, if you need a battery go to a company called Supac up at Goat Mill Industrial Estate in Merthyr Tydfil.

They're a good bunch up there, if you want let me have the battery details and I'll get you a very good price.

 

+1

Neil-o (co-owner) was my neigbour for a few years up until last year. Top bloke and youll wont beat him on price. When you see hom next Ty tell him i said he's ****e at pool, and his shooting aint much better!

 

Ian you should treat yourself to a c tek battery conditioner, designed to be on the car 365 days a year. I've used one for years and my cars always plugged in when parked up.

http://www.vertar.com/ctek/new-CTEK-...y-conditioner/

You can also pick an extension cable up if needed and a fused connector remains on the battery at all times... 10/10 from me

 

Costco sell car batteries and they have a life time guarantee, not sure on the price but you won't need to pay for one again.

My battery is showing signs of failure but its near 6 years old now that's not to bad and Costco is where I'll be heading.

 

Bosch Silver Types. They go from £45 including VAT, the equivalent battery in Halfrauds was £119 .

I have a card and would be happy to help you buy one of your choice, just give me a bit of warning but I am free over the weekend..

 

Thanks for the replies gents! Cheers for the offer Ian mate its much appretiated but I need to get the car going by Thursday morning as I have to use it I wont be going near Halfrauds either if i can avoid it.

I may give that place in Merthyr a ring today though, thanks Ty

 

That battery charger sounds interesting, the car sits for 5 days straight most weeks these days so thats probably part of the reason for the battery going out now.

 

I've always used supac aswel, they use to have a yard in maes y cwmmer up until a while back and very competitive on price, they were never beaten tbh for the same size battery anywhere else

 

Well worth the investment TBH specially this time of year.

 

why not take it for a drive and fully charge the battery ?
Its not the battery that`s knackered its not getting charged up after the starting current has been taken.

 

Mine's got a lightweight battery and the previous owner used a trickle charger, so that's another recommendation.

Unfortunately there's no electricity supply to my garage (which is 300 yards from my house, so no, an extension lead isn't the answer).

Have you charged the battery to see how long the charge lasts ?
It could just be lack of use, in which case you might not need to buy a new one (and it go the same way).

 

The Spec C battery was not the best especially in a UK winter.

I think you will find yours has been replaced with one off a Nissan Micra

 

With a Litchfield sticker on it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Varta-Blue...item3a7c9c37c1

 

Mmm.........it would actually fit in a Micra I think

Probably give it a power surge though !

 

Oh, oh - how much does that add to the price of a new one then ?

 

Well thats a good price for a battery with next day delivery too! Am i right in thinking that will be good for mine?

Just tried to start the car by the way and its as good as dead. Got the AA on the way since i pay for the privilage. They can check the system over and tell me if the battery is gone, which i imagine it is. In fact, i hope it is as anything else is an even bigger pain and more cash!!

 

Like

 

It's what most people replace the Spec C one with and it's standard fit IIRC on the Nissan Micra Tony Burns put me on to them years ago

 

Well AA been and the alternator is delivering a good charge so looks like the battery is at fault. I have run it a while and its holding some charge but not sure for how long but should start in morning so may order one of those if its a fit. Either that or i will go straight over merthyr in morning to get one as they said they have them in stock. Thanks agsin for the advice gents

 

Tell them I want commission.

 

Ha ha will do mate

 

Borrowed the old mans charger last night to make sure it started this morning and popped over Merthyr this morning to pick up a battery. £60 for a Duracell battery, probably could have paid a little less if I had the time but quite reasonable for a good quality battery so I am quite happy! Guy over there was very helpful and had the battery on the counter waiting for me since he heard me coming! Thanks again all for the help and advice

 

Duracell or Varta Ian?

That'll be a big bunny that runs on that battery.

 

Ye I was suprised to see such a big duracell but the guy recons they are switching from Varta to Duracell. He said they are 1 of only 7 duracell car battery providers in the uk and they are rated higher than the stated figures on the battery but who knows. They had a hell of a selection there some looked big enough to start a shuttle!!

 

So let me get this right - ONE duracell to start a car?

It's not a model is it?

Glad it's sorted and also nice to have a recommendation to put on the backburner for when the time comes.

 

This is a cool alternative to the smaller battery normally used for Spec C's too

Same spec but it's a Duracell, which is in some way amusing, I don't know why

http://www.barden-ukshop.com/duracel...ery-3027-p.asp

 

Thats the exact one i picked up. It is a bit funny to see a duracell for a car but guess it makes sense, they have been in the game for years! Quite strange they never did it before unless they have and its only now filtering to road cars etc.