Philip Loring's Roadster 100 Banner Battery
I normally keep a battery conditioner connected to the battery when the car is in the garage, however after Waddesdon I didn't bother as it was summer and the car would be used soon enough.On Friday when preparing the car to go out I found that the battery was flat.I jump started off my other car then took the car for a spin, came back and connected the conditioner.(NB you should connect the jump leads to the Starter Motor not the battery - Red Lead to the Red Terminal and Black Lead to the Chassis).
Despite being connected all day and night, the amber light on the CTEK conditioner remained on.There was enough charge to start the car the next day.
I got Williams Morgan to test the Battery and found that it was only producing 333 CCA against a marked rating of 450 CCA. (Cold Cranking Amps, do you know about this fascinating battery tech stuff?)
Although Williams thought it would probably be ok for a while, when I got home and connected the conditioner I found that although this time it registered green, it soon started to oscillate between amber and green every 5 seconds or so.I decided therefore to source a new battery.
Finding a battery was interesting as it needs to be the right size to fit through the panel behind the passenger seat and to sit in the tray behind.
Morgan factory fitted a Banner UniBull 450 CCA which has a 58ah rating ( there's a whole new world of tech about that as well).Unfortunately Banner are German and not available in the UK through the usual keen priced outlets such as Halfords etc.
http://www.bannerbatterien.com/banner/files/FolderUniBullGB.pdf
There are no batteries other than Banner that seem to fit the full criteria 450 CCA and 58ah and of the right size to fit in the tray.
....................................................................I can see why Ford specify Banner for their cars, but cannot see why they do for the Morgan, as the high 58ah rating is normally specified to run ancillary equipment whilst the engine is switched off.Not much of that on a Morgan.Finally the point of my note is rather than fit a lower standard of battery, with the nearest being a Bosch, I have discovered that Bennetts Motor Factors stock Banner and can supply for £67.62 + vat, ( June 14) being only a few more pennies than the Bosch equivalent.Bennetts have a wide dealer network so should perhaps be the first port of call if anyone else finds themselves in my situation.Philip Loring.
Battery-Starting BullTechnical Information ...... http://www.bannerbatteryfinder.co.uk/system/files/26_promotion.pdf
Information from .... http://www.bannerbatteryfinder.co.uk/results.aspx
Part Number 50200 UK No. Uni Bull 065 Cap. (20hr) 58 Ah RRP (inc VAT) £86.06
P.S.Philip his CTEK Charger Cable pre attached to his Battery Terminals, with the Cable extending out though a Grommet & Hole in the Battery Access Plate.
Philips Battery with CTEK Cable Attached to the Terminals
Philips CTEK Cable protruding through the Access Hole with Grommet in the Battery Access Plate
- Note the Cable needs to protrude out of the Side of the Carpet next to the Nearside of the Car to allow easy connection to the Conditioner Cable.
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Fitting my own new battery at The Morgan Factory during their 'Run to the Hills Open Day.
P.S.
Rather than confine the cable to a Drilled Hole and Grommet in the access plate,
I have brought my cable out under the plate to the left of this photo, leaving the plate free of alteration.
I did this via a small channel groove, filed into the wood panel, allowing the cable out under the 'U' in the carpet there.
This has provided more length to the visible cable and I find it easier to access the socket.
Others have taken a different route and changed the connection to a fixed 'Plug & Socket' arrangement, however this one does prevent removing the carpet.
Frank
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