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[dbdb]

Am I right in thinking I can fit the heavier duty diesel battery in my petrol 2.6 V6?  The diesel v petrol battery dimensions appear to be the same except the length - 315mm v 278mm. 

I don't need the extra CCA but the 30% extra AH will be useful.

[Elite Pete]

Yep

[TheBoy]

If you need the extra AH to power stuff when the car is off, remember that car batteries aren't really built for that kind of use, and you will knacker it by doing so

[dbdb]

If you need the extra AH to power stuff when the car is off, remember that car batteries aren't really built for that kind of use, and you will knacker it by doing so

In a way its to power stuff with the engine off - I want the extra AH because the car is unused for long periods, I calculate at 80ma residual draw a 66a/h battery would damaged in a fortnight and be completely flat in 1 month. The extra AH would extend that period.  But anyway I usually make a point of upgrading batteries on older cars beyond their original spec, it's comforting to know the extra power is there if they start playing up. 

Incidentally some car battery technology is more resistant to drain damage/cycling - the AGMs offered by Varta and Bosch for example.  But they cost twice the price.

[TheBoy]

Sulphation starts at around 80-85%.

If possible (ie, private drive/garage) a battery conditioner may prove better? Or other technologies, as you say

[dbdb]

Yep I'm tring a £10 1.8w solar panel on the back parcel shelf.  Currently its only wired to a 20ah jump starter battery but it is charging that nicely at half an amp in cloudy weather. Have ordered a second one, two will fit neatly on the parcel shelf.  I still need a new battery though as I only have three partly knackered ones at the moment and I've got a deal on a new diesel spec quality batt - £63 delivered.

[dbdb]

sorry meant panel charging at 0.05amp not 0.5amp.

[TheBoy]

Yep I'm tring a £10 1.8w solar panel on the back parcel shelf.  Currently its only wired to a 20ah jump starter battery but it is charging that nicely at half an amp in cloudy weather. Have ordered a second one, two will fit neatly on the parcel shelf.  I still need a new battery though as I only have three partly knackered ones at the moment and I've got a deal on a new diesel spec quality batt - £63 delivered.

I think, TBH, you'll find that remarkably unsuccessful.

[hoofing it]

Yep I'm tring a £10 1.8w solar panel on the back parcel shelf.  Currently its only wired to a 20ah jump starter battery but it is charging that nicely at half an amp in cloudy weather. Have ordered a second one, two will fit neatly on the parcel shelf.  I still need a new battery though as I only have three partly knackered ones at the moment and I've got a deal on a new diesel spec quality batt - £63 delivered.

Don't waste your money on the solar charger there a waste of time they also discharge the battery and can cook it. I wrecked a brand new truck battery with one it was generating 46volts in direct sun light .
You would need to fit a resister to stop it discharging the battery

[Entwood]

Yep I'm tring a £10 1.8w solar panel on the back parcel shelf.  Currently its only wired to a 20ah jump starter battery but it is charging that nicely at half an amp in cloudy weather. Have ordered a second one, two will fit neatly on the parcel shelf.  I still need a new battery though as I only have three partly knackered ones at the moment and I've got a deal on a new diesel spec quality batt - £63 delivered.

Don't waste your money on the solar charger there a waste of time they also discharge the battery and can cook it. I wrecked a brand new truck battery with one it was generating 46volts in direct sun light .
You would need to fit a resister to stop it discharging the battery

Diode works better and you can get decent regulators to prevent overvoltage or overcharging ... I use both on a 60 watt panel for the tin tent ...

But as TB says .. a little one one the front of a car will be useless.... the glass will lose 30% of the solar energy, the angle of the panel to the sun will lose another 40% ... and the chance of shade from external sources is extremely high.  ..... 

[Marks DTM Calib]

But as we have already discussed, the solar charge regulators don't prevent over charging

[Entwood]

But as we have already discussed, the solar charge regulators don't prevent over charging

They'll prevent 46V getting to the battery !!! (although I wonder what size panel that was ... mine   gives a max of 27V when open circuit in full sun .. connect any battery to it and it plummets even without the regulator attached ...

[Marks DTM Calib]

Which as already stated, is not preventing over charging 

The battery it self will limit the volts, all the modules do is run the panel at optimum efficiency with a very basic battery charge function thrown in.....none of which prevents overcharging. 

[dbdb]

Yep

Just fitted the diesel 110 battery, it is a bit tight.  The sharp edge of the slam plate is tight against the battery edge opposite the neg terminal like a knife, forcing it a little skew.  I will have to grind it back a bit to get a battery bag on and some padding round it.  Are all diesels like this?  I see there is a black plastic baffle at the pos end, it's buttress shortening the available space, maybe diesels have a different shape one?

[VXL V6]

Have the same battery in both my DTi and my 3.2 - GM 70AH, biggest one you can get and still fit the jacket on