Anybody upgraded their battery?

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The AA guy that helped jump start my car (again!) last night pointed out that Lotus have lifted a 063 battery. Apparently a 065 is more heavy duty but the same size. Has anybody used one of these in their Exige?I guess it�s a little heavier but could be a good option for those running theirs daily and not over huge distances.Was there any problem with swapping batteries? I seem to remember something about cam off?Cheers, Ian [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

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quote:Originally posted by IDG:Was there any problem with swapping batteries? I seem to remember something about cam off?You’ve lost me there, mate. What’s the cam got to do with it?

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ian , my battery died in my elise and theres no way in hell of getting that thing out , i ended up dropping it upside down inside the compartment , not good … finally gave in and let hr puff n stuff replace it for an extortionate amount …

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quote:Originally posted by Pesky: You’ve lost me there, mate. What’s the cam got to do with it? As per roger x’s comment, I was wondering if it is in fact possible to actually get the battery out without have to remove part or all of the front cam shell.The AA think the batt is a dud, so warranty can take care of it.1000 miles came up today (as did a big wet tank slapper caused by avoiding a Picasso who cut across me at a roundabout! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image] ). How long have I got to get it serviced before the warranty potentially gets voided?Ian [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

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You been at the cooking sherry? quote:Originally posted by IDG:I was wondering if it is in fact possible to actually get the battery out without have to remove part or all of the front cam shell.I’m guessing you mean ‘front clam’ [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image] quote:Originally posted by IDG:a big wet tank slapper caused by avoiding a Picasso who cut across me at a roundaboutPicasso’s been dead for 29 years - what was he doing on that roundabout? And I don’t want to begin to imagine what a ‘big wet tank slapper’ looks like - sounds like an ex-girlfriend…Ian [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]PS. The answer is that you’ve got up to 1500 miles to get the first service done.

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This all seems a bit extreme to me. Maybe it’s a Air Con/Non Air Con layout change in the front compartment but I can see no reason why you would need to remove the clam shell to get the battery out. In my car, all you would have to do is slacken the radiator surround and then it would be very straighforward.If the battery is in a different place in a non A/C car then according to the handbook, all you have to do is remove the washer bottle and hey presto!Am I missing something here, or (and this is a real possibility) is the handbook wrong? Mike

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quote:Originally posted by IPJ:I’m guessing you mean ‘front clam’ [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]Cam...Clam...Spam...Sham - doh!

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Recently my Exige would not start after being left in a hotel carpark overnight (I say this because its usually left in a warm garage on a trickle charger). The engine would crank but there was no spark at the plugs. The RAC came and said the same! although they could find a low tension feed to the coil pack. It was diagnosed as either a faulty ciol pack (not unheard of) or a duff ECU.Anyway gets lowloaded home and leave car in garage for a couple of days on trickle. Come to look at it before getting it recovered back to a dealer and just have one last go at starting it - it fires first time just as if nothing is wrong! So intermittant fault i think and as long as its going to work I will forget about taking it to dealer.Go to trackday at Elvington yesterday, spin and stall and car will not start. Now having done about 6 or 7 cranks of the engine that morning the battery appears to be flat and will not crank the engine. The alarm/immobiliser also appears to be doing is own thing flashing indicators and setting alarm off. Car is recovered with a rope and fires first time on bump starting (no cat fitted so OK there).For rest of day car has to be push started as although doing 20 min sessions at quite high revs the battery does not have enough power to crank engine. Red battery light on stack illuminates with ignition live but does not stay on with engine running, I therefore assume that alternator is working OK and putting power into battery and the battery is just knackered - 18 months old now.Before I whizz off down to the local garage for a battery/alternator test, does anyone have any comments or advice on what it could be? I have also noticed that whilst left overnight on trickle charge the radio has lost all its settings.If its diagnosed as a duff battery, has anyone got any suggestions as to a good replacement - high enough cranking capacity, good reserve but low weight? Anyone any experience of Optima etc?

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quote:Originally posted by stevegreen:…although doing 20 min sessions at quite high revs… Bit of an understatement there, young man! I reckon you’ll need a new “rev limiter/cut off” after your expert display yesterday - yehaaaw [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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He’s still not driving down the straights on the rev-limiter is he??? Thats what 5th gear is for Steve… [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]

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TTNot only down the straights!!!

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5th gear…are you sure i have one of those!!!

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quote:Originally posted by stevegreen:…anyone got any suggestions as to a good replacement - high enough cranking capacity, good reserve but low weight? Anyone any experience of Optima etc?B&C changed mine under warrenty to a Varta B18. I have been charging it weekly but haven’t had any of the same problems since the Lotus provided original when south rapidly.One of the AA guys also quoted an alternative type, see the first posting.Ian [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

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Popped into Halfords on the way home from work…they sell their own ordinary brand of 063 at 39.99 and a special calcium compound! one with a 4 year guarantee for 49.99…couldn’t remember the 065 so will have to go back and investigate that!!!

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went back today and bought the 063 calcium battery, checked out the 065 that someone had recomended but it appeared to be actually larger and therefore would not fit into the space available. Now to fit it and hope that it was actually the root cause of the problem!