Battery Suggestions for Daimler Dart
Discussion
Hi,
After about 10 years the battery in my Dart is pretty dead, so looking around for a replacement that will hopefully last another 10....The car normally gets driven once a week, but can sometimes sit there for a month, but there are no ancillaries that suck juice so I've never had any issues with that before. Would people recommend conventional of gel type? I bought one of those red top ones for my Cerbera, and although a bit pricey it has been good so far.
Any recommendations welcomed, there is plenty of room under the bonnet, the battery tray is generous, and the battery leads are long so I'm not particularly restricted by size - just looking for a good battery recommendation.
cheers
Joe
After about 10 years the battery in my Dart is pretty dead, so looking around for a replacement that will hopefully last another 10....The car normally gets driven once a week, but can sometimes sit there for a month, but there are no ancillaries that suck juice so I've never had any issues with that before. Would people recommend conventional of gel type? I bought one of those red top ones for my Cerbera, and although a bit pricey it has been good so far.
Any recommendations welcomed, there is plenty of room under the bonnet, the battery tray is generous, and the battery leads are long so I'm not particularly restricted by size - just looking for a good battery recommendation.
cheers
Joe
I have a Bosch one on mine and use one of these:
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/12v-smart-ba...
It should last until your hair falls out.
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/12v-smart-ba...
It should last until your hair falls out.
10 years isn't bad going. I find they usually last me around 6.
If you want a traditional-looking (made in Essex) battery: http://www.lincon.co.uk/classic_car_batteries.html
I currently have a Banner battery: http://www.bannerbatterien.com/banner/home/index_e...
They seem pretty good, although they are made in Austria and have Red Bull logo!
If you want a traditional-looking (made in Essex) battery: http://www.lincon.co.uk/classic_car_batteries.html
I currently have a Banner battery: http://www.bannerbatterien.com/banner/home/index_e...
They seem pretty good, although they are made in Austria and have Red Bull logo!

Joe,
considering your use and car (f/b, V8 big heavy flywheel) I think 10 years sounds good so if you can still get it put the same battery back on
I'd also take the opportunity whilst the battery is off to check and clean as required the battery post clamps, battery leads and connections and all major earth leads and connections, main lead to starter and connections making sure all are clean, secure and protected
I once bought a (metal bodied) V8 that had a brand new lower priced battery fitted when I bought it and it only lasted me 18 months before I replaced it with a better battery
I very much like the batteries with the 'magic eye' since I had one fitted in my new Skoda in the mid-80s, when Skodas were deeply unpopular with other manufacturers because of the two year warranty and low selling price and with the sheep that read the likes of The Sun comic
the 'magic eye' was a ball at the bottom of a circular viewing tube I think, anyway if it shows green everything is fine, black then battery needs charging, white battery needs distilled water (last two I think are right but might be other way round)
ETA: see below the magic eye wasn't good at all
considering your use and car (f/b, V8 big heavy flywheel) I think 10 years sounds good so if you can still get it put the same battery back on
I'd also take the opportunity whilst the battery is off to check and clean as required the battery post clamps, battery leads and connections and all major earth leads and connections, main lead to starter and connections making sure all are clean, secure and protected
I once bought a (metal bodied) V8 that had a brand new lower priced battery fitted when I bought it and it only lasted me 18 months before I replaced it with a better battery
I very much like the batteries with the 'magic eye' since I had one fitted in my new Skoda in the mid-80s, when Skodas were deeply unpopular with other manufacturers because of the two year warranty and low selling price and with the sheep that read the likes of The Sun comic
the 'magic eye' was a ball at the bottom of a circular viewing tube I think, anyway if it shows green everything is fine, black then battery needs charging, white battery needs distilled water (last two I think are right but might be other way round)
ETA: see below the magic eye wasn't good at all

Edited by nta16 on Wednesday 11th December 23:09
SV8Predator said:
The sight glass reads from only one cell, and other cells may be faulty.
A battery can show an apparently healthy "green" but with dud cells is effectively scrap.
right cheers for that, must admit I'd not research it, not even sure they're still madeA battery can show an apparently healthy "green" but with dud cells is effectively scrap.
Sir, you have shattered a happy memory of when I was a young girl - but the facts need to be correct and the truth told
a tear or two will lay on my pillow tonight
I have three cars here and the youngest battery is 9 yrs old, the oldest 13 yrs and all in fine fettle. I don't keep them on top-up over the winter but have simply fitted a simple cut-out switch. There can be no drain over the winter months and they are all happy bunnies. If you are replacing, my tip is to go one level stronger than recommended for your car. It'll be always understressed.
get a Ladematic battery charger, these can be left switched on 24/7 and keep the battery at a good level, switching on and off as required. If you don't want to use one of these monitor the battery voltage and do not let it fall below 12.35 volts, when it reaches this level, fully charge it. hope this helps.
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