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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - New battery

I finally broke down and bought a new battery for the car. I was going to mount it in the trunk on the passenger side. I came across something new and don't have to move it any more. It's a Shorai and it weighs 3 pounds! The only bad thing I can say about it is the price. Ouch!
TCW Tom Westcot

er, perhaps a photo is required
Nigel Atkins

there's this really clever search engine, it's called 'google'...
Shorai unfortunately don't have a UK dealer. They look similar to Varley, Odyssey etc
David Smith

Hi Tom
"I came across something new"??? does this battery use LiPo chemistry?? please elaborate Rod
R W Bowers

Shorai batteries use something they call "Lithium Iron prismatic cells".

http://www.shoraipower.com/FAQ.html


Another small, light battery option, also free of corrosive sulphuric acid vapor (the reason I won't put a traditional lead-acid battery in any of my cars, because of the corrosion they cause in the surrounding bodywork), is the Westco Miata battery, originally developed by Panasonic, currently produced and sold by Westco. Fits the midget's battery tray with lots of room to spare.

http://estorebc.mkbattery.com/Category/41_1/Miata.aspx


Both of the above options are smaller, lighter and safer than a traditional lead acid battery, both avoid release of corrosive vapor. Unfortunately, both are also more expensive than a simple, lead acid battery, which is why most people still buy those instead.


Norm
Norm Kerr

Norm,
thanks for the links



David,
Google seems to be of more use if you're buying something, when I'm not buying I don't use Google

that's probably why I never see you put >>there's this really clever search engine, it's called 'google'...<< when someone puts a Spridget question in a thread or post

no one else had posted on Tom's thread so I thought I'd start the ball rolling

not long back you'd have asked what his question was and the point of his thread so you are improving, keep it up
Nigel Atkins

'seems to be of more use if you're buying something' Nigel? No, you are wrong; google is just as much help when one wants simply to find out about something, you really ought to try it sometime.
David Smith

I do, and when I do most of the first page is to sell me the/an item, not that I think any other Search engine I've tried is much better it's just how the commerce of the internet has developed

some days I've very good at doing searches and find exactly what I want in milliseconds, other days I can't find what I found the day before (that's me at fault not the internet)
Nigel Atkins

FWIW, I start my searches on images if I don't have an exact description or name, you can then visually search and find the links to BBS posts or whatever attached to the images. HTH Rod PS well it works for me anyway
R W Bowers

Gday Tom, please be careful with the charging of this battery, it may not like the fairly primitive system in a midget i.e limited control of current etc. smaller versions of these (used in models etc)have been known to explode when overcharged.
Norm I think you'll find that the westco battery is a sealed lead acid type, still uses acid but in a gel form and is sealed. Cheers All Rod
R W Bowers

Rod, you are correct, it is a gel matt design, so it is sealed, and has no free liquid inside (so it can be safely mailed through regular post), and even if the housing is cracked, won't leak.



I almost included the word, "wet" lead acid battery in my last sentence of that earlier post, but didn't. Guess I should have. :)


Norm

Norm Kerr

RW you are right. The prefered method for off car charging is with their charger - also pricey. The batteries are being regularly sold for motorcycles right now. They are going to be bringing out a line of car batteries but are not marketing them yet. I did consult the factory to back check the guy at the store and they blinked at first but when I explained what I was doing they approved. The one I have is classed as a motorcycle battery. It is actually slightly oversized for a Midget. They also said the generator or an alternator (which is my next electrical move) is fine. They also said that positive ground is OK.
TCW Tom Westcot

Hi Tom, didn't want to alarm anyone just a cautionary note. I'm sure that shoarai will be selling car rated versions soon there will be a big demand. When you think about it putting a battery in the engine compartment is close to torturing the thing, way too hot, yet they survive. I'll be definitely moving mine to the trunk (boot down here) and look forward to seeing how you have gone about it.
Cheers Rod
R W Bowers

This thread was discussed between 18/06/2013 and 21/06/2013

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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