Battery Help Please

[Red27]

I've been intending to change the battery on Tiger before the Rogue Runners tour - not really given any problems to date, but it's the original one and it's over 5 years old now, so time for a change before it's forced on me. I've got a black top, so a battery for a 20-ish year old 2.0l Mondeo should be right shouldn't it. Not found a car site yet that will bring back anything based on my car reg

So I searched for that, and the batteries I came up with didn't look right..... I tracked down what I've got currently - it's a Motaquip VBY2. It's apparently for a Mk1 0.9l Fiesta It has virtually none of the normal modern battery markings on it, so God knows how old it actually is. Got to love Tiger, haven't you....

Anyway, I'm liking Varta Silver batteries for my other cars. So, I'm thinking of getting this:



It's exactly the same size (although there is space for one a little longer, but not taller/wider), a kilo heavier (current battery stands on ally plate screwed to a couple of chassis rails, so don't think that's a problem). But, here's the thing. It's juicier. 52ah vs the 45ah of the original and cold cranking speed of 530 vs 380. I'm happy that it'll turn over easier - but before I go and short my electrics, can someone who knows far more about these things than me confirm that I'm not going to blow my car up

[David T]

It should be fine. I doubt your trusty pinto starter, like mine, would even draw up to 380 amps. So capacity above this would not make any difference. Having more Ah can only help. Eg for extended cranking, lights left on, etc.

[Red27]

That explains the current battery then.... perfect answer, thank you David. Nice new silver battery it is!

[Matth93]

Yes it will be fine like David says it will give you a bit more power for cranking etc. It won't do any harm

[Green Indy]

Apologies if this is bleeding obvious, but don't forget to check that the positive and negative terminals are the right way round. And the connection method is the same (usually round post, or screw through post).

[Matth93]

I've just had a look out of interest and my battery is the same power as your old one

[Wingco]

I have an 5063 battery on mine, plenty of grunt and a 5 year warranty, its a Yuasa battery a really good battery. If you get stuck Linda i can get one from work at a good price. OK I do appreciate we are miles apart but we have the skcc express route if needed.

[leegav]

lithium Linda.. its the only choice

[Red27]

Thanks all for the additional replies. On the terminals, I did check the pos/negative were the right way round. The actual terminals though.... good shout. Old battery is bolt through, and as all the pictures of the one I've order have caps over the terminals, I didn't realise. New one has posts. But, Halfrauds is my friend here, for a fiver

Have looked at the Anti-gravity and Odessey batteries at shows before with a view to switching when I wanted a new one (Paul had Oddesey on the Westy because he need the extra space for when he rerouted his rad). However, I have the space, and it would mean new bracketery to keep it fixed. Given that I'm going to be swapping it, one of the brackets doubles as the header tank support (yay, Tiger design!) and the earthing point, and it's a week only to Rogue Runners - best no to start messing around with it too much I wil make sure I have the appropriate size spanners on board in case I **** I up and things come loose on tour.

Thank you for your kind offer Colin, appreciate that, new one should be here tomorrow though. Did come across Yuasa when I was looking, and they certify had good reviews. I'll file that info away for the future.