Westco batteries : Utter pants

[J-Tuner]

My Westco battery of just 3 years has given up the ghost. Not impressed. It's had a couple of recondition cycles run on my charger but it fails during the charge test. Worst and most expensive battery I have owned.

What's the latest on batteries? Tempted to go for a heavy duty bosch but want to make sure whatever I get fits ok in the wing and can be secured using the clamp etc.

Any recommendations on sealed for life batteries ? Not interested in the usual argument about regular batteries eating a hole in my boot as I want something I can rely on and will get inspected regularly anyway.

Cheers

Steve

[anonymous-user]

I've had single WestCo battery that in my old mk1 that is now in my new mk1 and it's been completely reliable, even after being stood for most of the winter a few times.

Has the battery ever been flat as I'm sure I read somewhere that these gel-type batteries are scrap if they're allowed to run flat.

[mad4amanda]

I would agree with the op I found 2 of them very poor even on a car used daily they failed yet a normal 063 fitted fine and lasted for years.
Would never buy another .

[J-Tuner]

It was run flat once when I left the side lights on. However it was reconditioned and charged by a ctek charger that is designed for this type of battery. It was fine for a while but it's just given up.

Does the 63 size fit Ok then and take the bar that secures it?

[MX-5 Lazza]

I've had a few Westco batteries and have given up on them as they just don't last. I've swapped to a Bosch S5 063 sealed lead/acid battery which has been faultless so far but hasn't been on long enough to be sure yet.

[Patch888]

I've had no issues with a yuasa battery. Just a regular standard job.

[J-Tuner]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I've had a few Westco batteries and have given up on them as they just don't last. I've swapped to a Bosch S5 063 sealed lead/acid battery which has been faultless so far but hasn't been on long enough to be sure yet.

Yeah i saw you previous post about this actually and see euro car parts have it for £69. Was comparing the cold cranking and its the best i have seen so far. Its totally sealed so i can't see how this could burn the arse of the boot out.

I am going to go for one of these as well i think. I saw those yuasa Patch at halfords - look like a decent spec - but seems the bosh is a better spec for the money IMO.

Appreciate the feedback chaps

Edited by J-Tuner on Sunday 24th November 21:16

[J-Tuner]

Ok well fitted the bosch S5 - its a bit tight getting the earth bolted on, but it sent in OK and is sat in a plastic tray. It took a few turns to get it going initially but the second start at the petrol station was a treat.

Lazza - i noticed the securing bracket that goes over the top doesn't really fit nicely - did you put something in to close the gap between the battery and clamp?

Cheers

Steve

[mad4amanda]

all I did with mine was flatten the angle L section flat in a vice then it fitted perfectly and could be bent back if needed , I put a section of thin rubber car mat under mine no sign of any corrosion

[J-Tuner]

What i mean is the bar straddles the top of the battery across the shortest part (top to bottom) so the L brackets don't really support the battery. The bar itself sorts it from moving up or down but there is room for some movement. Would be good if the brackets were snug.

[MX-5 Lazza]

It's very snug on mine. I cut a small section of the L-shaped plate out (about 1/2 inch) as it was just too long to fit nicely within the battery handle but that's all. Mine is fitted without the battery tray though as the S5 is a fair bit bigger than the original battery. Definitely no movement at all.
That's in a Mk2.5.

[J-Tuner]

Lazza i emailed Bosch UK about the battery re. vent holes and this is what they said :

"There are two 6mm vent holes, one at each end of the battery. These allow necessary gases to exit the battery. When a battery is installed outside of the cabin, or under the bonnet, both holes can be left empty.

If a battery is installed inside a vehicle’s cabin or is in the boot, one vent hole should be sealed with a vent plug. 1 vent plug is provided with each Bosch battery and is usually connected to the pole cap. The other vent hole should be connected to a vent pipe, which takes the gases to the outside of the vehicle and protects the driver and or passengers from potentially poisonous gases."

based on this i'm going to hook up the pipes again. just thought you should know

Cheers

Steve

Edited by J-Tuner on Thursday 12th December 14:21

[MX-5 Lazza]

Odd. There really is nowhere to attach breather pipes on my battery. There are 2 blanked off holes on each side but as I said, they are blanked off.

[J-Tuner]

Mines the same as yours so must be the same.

I'd like to think they have their info right though . Gonna check mine tomorrow when I get her out!

[pewe]

Just to pick up on the venting issue ^.
There are some real horror stories on ANOther forum about the damage battery gases can do to the boot interior/metalwork so venting needs to be pretty good.
A previous owner had removed all the pipework and fittings from mine.
Replacements from usual suppliers seemed expensive but a trip to the local Aquatics centre (goldfish etc.)
saw me buy pipework, elbows and T pieces for about £5.
I actually vented both ends of the battery - IIRC that's how the OE battery was vented.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe.