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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - battery size

battery got no go again after a week lay off. got the normal tiny battery fitted, going to stick my old massive battery out of my old jeep into the car. my question is will this have a negative effect in any way. i dont see how it would,but any comments welcomed
d a hadaway

...always remember a chap I knew putting in an over-size battery and then closing the bonnet...




...ouch!
David Cox

thankfully its the same hieght, just longer and wider. it wieghs a ton so its a sod to lift in
d a hadaway

only that your dynamo or alternator may not be able to full service a big battery

not sure what you mean by tiny but unless your on a dynamo, immobiliser/alarm or have very heavy electric use why has the battery lost charge in a week of standing, I would expect my battery to last months rather than weeks
Nigel Atkins

There shouldn't be an issue with the generator being able to 'service a big battery' as the loads will be the same as with the standard battery.

As Nigel suggests, there must be a reason for the standard battery not performing as intended - either a drain somewhere or the battery has a defective cell(s).

You need to establish whether the battery is faulty or if there is another issue with the electrical system.
Dave O'Neill 2

yes the battery should be able to cope, it is also connected to a top up charger when not in use, so i like you assume the batterty is shot, its just that i have this larger battery available to use. dan
d a hadaway

yeah bad description from me as usual (was rushing last time)

I meant that a larger "capacity" than the maximum you need is wasted but if you have the battery for free then why not if it will fit in safely but by the sound of it you might need two people to get it in or out or remove the bonnet

A Spridget battery doesn't have a particularly hard life unless your present battery is shot or you regularly do short journeys with high battery use or have an alarm/immobiliser fitted or high draw accessories fitted or it sits for months you should need a battery conditioner

Due to circumstances my midget stood outside undriven for about three weeks during that very cold weather, started no problem, more cold weather and will be sitting for possibly another three weeks before being driven again, no battery conditioner and the battery is at least 3 years old but more likely a lot older and I still expect the car to start first time

check your old battery very good chance it's shot if not then you'll need to check the car

Only recently I help with a car that had clean but loose battery connecters as the "good" battery had come from another car I checked it to find 4 out of 6 were so low on fluid that I couldn't see any - once the connections were checked, coppereased and tightened the car started but how long will the battery last like that without being topped up
Nigel Atkins

blow don't it again - missed out the word NOT

>>A Spridget battery doesn't have a particularly hard life unless your present battery is shot or you regularly do short journeys with high battery use or have an alarm/immobiliser fitted or high draw accessories fitted or it sits for months you should NOT need a battery conditioner<<
Nigel Atkins

thanks for that nigel, will sort it out today if the rain stops.
d a hadaway

This thread was discussed between 29/01/2011 and 05/02/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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