Dave Wellings on Battery Replacement

Dave Wellings on Battery Replacement

The new battery arrived this morning. Very well packed, but with a tiny amount of dampness down one side.

You never know if the box has been upended en-route. Anyway its all fitted and OK now, so here's the story:

Image 1: First the old battery.

You will note the two lines of dirt where the clamp fitted.

The J rods are welded to the carrier, and so don't fall away when the wingnuts are removed.

My charger lead emerges to the right.

Along the bottom edge I fitted a neoprene splash guard some time ago.

Image 2: This shows the underside view.

I decided to make an aluminium plate to cover the bottom of the new battery.

Image 3: This is the underside of the new plate with a neoprene buffer added.

The curved section provides a deflector plate underneath.

 

Image 4: And this is the topside, with a neoprene pad.

Image 5: Underside with the plate added.

The master fuse is just visible, upper left.

Image 6: And topside.

I kept the DB Power unit attached to keep the 12v power feed to the alarm and ECU.

Image 7: This is a close up of the clamp.

It needed a light refurb, and I added a neoprene strip underneath, plus a couple of stainless washers under the wingnuts.

These batteries have four terminals, and two red fold up carrying handles.

The innermost handle is visible, but I have removed the front handle as it just gets in the way, and has no purpose once fitted.

I'll keep the handle on the shelf until I need it again.

The handle just 'pops out' of the battery case moulding.

Getting the old battery out is tricky, and is better achieved from underneath, because it must be lifted over the wood panel threshold.

And of course the cables get in the way.

If you haven't been in here recently, the wingnuts do corrode to the threaded rods, so expect a fight.

Mine were OK as I keep them treated with Coppaslip.

Refitting the battery is much easier, as it pushes over the threshold, and you just need to make sure that it's level and properly seated.

Then add some Vaseline to the posts, don't overtighten, and replace the clamp, again, without overtightening.

That's pretty much it!

Must say that on my car the battery came out quite easily from the access hatch without the need to get under the car. I did need to take the parcel shelf and tool tray out to assist it though.