Mgb 12v conversion

[Dbest92]

Hi all

After a dodgy altenator has cooked the mgb's twin 6v batteries I'm looking to replace them with a 12v. Looking around there are loads of threads mainly regarding the type '063' battery, however this looks a bit of a squeeze. I was wondering if none has done this conversion using the type '202'? It seems a similar size to 1 6v battery and has as much, if not more power than an 063 and is only slightly more expensive? I have seen a few threads suggesting this but wondering am I missing something?

Cheers

Darren

[nta16]

a very quick PH Search and instant return with first result to the PH thread with the posts I lifted from MG BBS -

[quote]Dave O'Neill2, Solihull, United Kingdom
Varta B35 a la Fiat Punto seems to be the current battery of choice...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VARTA-B35-002L-202-CAR-B...
[quote]


[quote]Dave O'Neill2, Solihull, United Kingdom
Footprint is the same as a 6v, but slightly shorter

[quote]


[quote]B Anderson, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Yes to Varta B35. Spot on fit. Just needed a spacer on the clamp as they are a bit long.
Bernie[quote]

ETA: the power output is only roughly related to the battery number and there are two measures of CCA so to compare you need to know which standard is being used - I think I posted links to the info in a MG BBS thread (or perhaps on here?)

unless your running huge amplifiers and all the electric motors plus extra spots a good alternator with the Varta B35 (202) should be fine - but check

Edited by nta16 on Friday 31st May 01:52

[wildoliver]

I'll never understand why when it's commonly accepted the 063 fits people go to the hassle of looking for an alternative?

But undoubtably there are other batteries that fit well yes.

[Dbest92]

It seems to be that a number of 063 batteries need the lugs filed off so they will fit, if I knew of one that would fit right in then I'd go for that. It would appear the 202 would fit in easier meaning the current battery clamp would fit it and it would be essier take in and out. they also seem to give slightly more power too, hence looking into it.

Edited by Dbest92 on Friday 31st May 09:09

[nta16]

wildoliver said:

I'll never understand why when it's commonly accepted the 063 fits people go to the hassle of looking for an alternative?

But undoubtably there are other batteries that fit well yes.

do the battery carriers vary in size on the earlier cars?

I wonder if batteries might have become a bit bigger over the years like the rest of us, having put that I remember the 063 battery being a lot bigger but I do have a bad memory

Edited by nta16 on Friday 31st May 13:59

[nta16]

Dbest92 said:

it would appear the 202 would fit in easier meaning the current battery clamp would fit it

Darren, note B Anderson's comment

Dbest92 said:

they also seem to give slightly more power too, hence looking into it.

also note my comment about power and different standards of measurements for this, check it out - plus the same number battery can vary in the power available and slightly in size from one manufacturer or type to another

[The Black Flash]

wildoliver said:

I'll never understand why when it's commonly accepted the 063 fits people go to the hassle of looking for an alternative?

But undoubtably there are other batteries that fit well yes.

They do - mines got one from an alfa 164 in, because it was sat in my garage

[wildoliver]

And that's perfectly sensible, free batteries are always best. Closely followed by cheap batteries - 063 usually around £30.

Hence why I have one in my '66, one in my c and one in my 1980 roadster.

[nta16]

WO do know if the battery carriers vary in size on the earlier or early cars?

[Minemapper]

Just put an 063 for a Toyota Aygo in mine. Perfect fit and £50. Works great.

[williredale]

As nta16 went over with me last time the 202 will fit in with the existing clamps (this was for my dad's A which was miles away) but the 063 fitted in my '73 B with the lugs chopped off the bottom (less than five minutes) and a new clamp to hold the battery in.

I bought Bosch for both cars and the 063 is more powerful 45Ah and 420cca as compared to the 202 which is 42Ah and 360cca.

[wildoliver]

The cover on an earlier car is much larger, it's a large one piece cover covering both trays, on the later car it's a small cover covering the now single tray.

The actual hole in to the trays and the trays themselves to my knowledge are the same, I've certainly never noticed a difference. Other than the later car loses one of course.

[jagracer]

I recently bought a heavy duty Yuasa 063 for mine and it fits straight in, with the previous 063, bought from Makros, I had to grind the bottom lugs off so it would fit. I think one of the major problems with the B and starting is earthing the engine, I've just put a bridging strap across an engine mount and this makes a big difference.

[chormy]

I used a Bosch can't for the life of me remember which one had to trim the lips on the base to give extra 5mm fitted a treat 500+ Crank 55amp/h.
Fitted in MGC same a B

Found it!


Order details
You completed checkout on 20-Aug-12
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Shaun Holmes

Seller: cpw-group ( 7181 )
Seller information:
Car Part World
Car Part World
249-251 Oldham Road
Rochdale, Greater Manchester OL16 5RD UK
Item title
Price
P&P cost
Quantity
Item total
Bosch S5 Car Battery Type 063 (5 Year Guarantee) ( 280913647895 )
Paid on 20-Aug-12
£59.85

[williredale]

chormy said:

I used a Bosch can't for the life of me remember which one had to trim the lips on the base to give extra 5mm fitted a treat 500+ Crank 55amp/h.
Fitted in MGC same a B

Found it!


Order details
You completed checkout on 20-Aug-12
Send to:
Payment details:
Total:
Shaun Holmes

Seller: cpw-group ( 7181 )
Seller information:
Car Part World
Car Part World
249-251 Oldham Road
Rochdale, Greater Manchester OL16 5RD UK
Item title
Price
P&P cost
Quantity
Item total
Bosch S5 Car Battery Type 063 (5 Year Guarantee) ( 280913647895 )
Paid on 20-Aug-12
£59.85

I used the S4 Bosch for mine but it was only £39.95 delivered from Euro Car Parts. The lugs at the bottom are designed to be easily removed.

[nta16]

Darren,
if you want more details see here (not as well written as the link I can't find) - http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk/datasheets/yuasa/Under...

plus John Twist recently done two (part) vids on the battery and there's also one from a couple of years back

[Dbest92]

Thanks for all the info!

Have bought a type 202 and its a perfect fit, similar size to the original and can use the original clamps etc and required no modification to the trays.

Battery has 45ah and 390cca and was more than adequate to start the car.

[nta16]

well done

but tut, tut - apart from the positive lead clamp sitting a little high on the battery post and the external protection to the clamps and posts which I'm sure you added after photo - that positive lead to clamp, stray wires poking out, clean, secure and protect remember, never leave stray strands as it's bad practice and might catch you out one day, they're not protected or protected against - and it's the main live wire and unfused

did you note the manufacture date to check sales shelf life(?) and check electrolyte levels before installation (and then replace the label)(?) and keep a copy of the receipt with manufacture date, installation date and mileage for future reference(?)

do ya think they'd like me on Young Guns Classics, a few of them there know me, Aaron is a particular fan of me

[Dbest92]

That pic was taken just after it was installed so there was still some fettling to be done!, yeah it's all dated on the receipt which I'll keep as you say, it's got a 3 yr guarentee so don't want to have missed anything so they can nullify the guarentee should I need it!


Regarding ygc, im sure they would!, I haven't been on there for a while but when I was they all seemed friendly and helpful seems like if you have a love for classics, you're in!

[nta16]

Dbest92 said:

That pic was taken just after it was installed so there was still some fettling to be done!,

good to hear

Dbest92 said:

yeah it's all dated on the receipt which I'll keep as you say, it's got a 3 yr guarentee so don't want to have missed anything so they can nullify the guarentee should I need it!

record manufacture date too - you always need to check the manufacture date before buying especially when buying from a supplier that may have glacial stock movement on that model of battery

Dbest92 said:

Regarding ygc, im sure they would!, I haven't been on there for a while but when I was they all seemed friendly and helpful seems like if you have a love for classics, you're in!

I was joking as I'm a generation too old for the site but I think it's members (of which you are one) should promote the site more and I've said so before to other members

just about the only mention on PH are from me or Aaron and I'm (just about?) the only one to provide a hyperlink to the site in (some of) my posts, such as Yong Gun Classics - http://younggunsclassics.com/
to make it as easy and instant for others to get to the site to see what it's about, the easier you make these things the more that will follow

one of the members did a couple of threads on the MG BBS, can't remember who but good on them they have the right idea

I saw there was a mention on Steve Wright's show which is great but Radio 2 is hardly the target audience for the club, the likes of PH and classic clubs and forums are though

I'd suggest you contact Roche Bentley at MGOC too they need youngster very much too so I'd have thought he'd be glad to promote such things and he's very approachable

you youngster tend to actually use your classics (some not enough though) so they are actually seen on the roads and not just sunny Sunday runs or shows or on the way to a MoT so others can see that these cars are not just static objects in grass fields and can be used even perhaps instead of a modern or as well as

I also emailed PH about the club but got no reply I'd suggest a few of you who are PH and YGC members contact PH to do a 'piece' on the club - without youngsters buying and running classics the interest in classics will actually die out as the present oldies owners well, er, die

perhaps you could pass on (or take up) my ideas to YGC and its members, c'mon you're young be more pro-active

Edited by nta16 on Monday 3rd June 14:51