It's happened again. A post comes up on a subject just as I'm thinking of it. Oof is telepathic at times 
If Dr doesn't mind, can I ask, what sets the criteria for battery type? Amp hours and all the other numbers printed on the top..?
Mine has a 70 ah fitted. Will that cover all eventualities like short journeys and long stay car parks at the airport etc?
Is there better available? Within the dimensions of that battery box of course as a bigger one won't fit.
"Better" needs more clarification. Capacity is only part of the story. Include in what sort of cranking power you need, likely temperatures, how much internal discharge, as well as external discharge, you can tolerate, and so on.
Car batteries, like many other battery technologies, do not like being left in a partially discharged state. So if you regularly go away for 2 weeks, expect a short life from it. A car that gets a decent run every few days will likely keep the battery lasting longer, assuming everything else is tip-top.
Obviously, if car is left for long periods, it may be prudent to disconnect it to reduce discharge.
Better ? .... More amp hours? Can you have too many? Can you have too little? GM tc supply 70ah as fitted to mine. Can this be Improved on by simpy fitting a higher ah battery?
I have no idea what amp hours do, along with the othe r 4 numbers printed on the top. It's just what GM say is suitable for my car. I dunno. Is it suitable because that's what they happen to have to sell me? Or is that the exact spec the car needs? If so why? If not what SHOULD be fitted!
Mine says;
GM
12 01 212 (presume a part number? )
12v
70ah
255 coca din
510 eca en
It cost about £45 on tc. There is a Bosch 72 ah, is same size 275 mm long, but is almost twice the price. If I did slot of short journeys would this battery help? For example...?
Given your (nearly) daily commute, the UK temps being moderate, I'd stick with TC ones. Even if they don't last as long (and in my experience, they last well), at that cost, they are almost disposable.
And I put my money where my mouth is, as the Bullet had a TC one shoved in probably 6 or 7 years ago (the day I ripped the sump plug out of the tractor - as I was on way back from dealer after buying battery) to replace its original one. I think TBE is still on its original (as was the Rover when it was written off), and would likely get a TC one if it failed.
But even the best car batt will suffer permanent damage every time its left for long periods in a semi discharged state (ie, left unused and abandoned at the airport for a couple of weeks at a time).
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Topic: Original battery or replacement battery? (Read 4121 times)