New Battery

Can't find a category above, then post here
User avatar
Chris Skinner
Patrolman
Patrolman
Posts: 852
Joined: 26 Nov 2009 12:58
Full Name: Chris Skinner
Nickname: Chris
Home Town: Centurion
Current 4x4: Nissan Patrol 4,8 GRX 2005
Home Language: English
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 53 times

New Battery

Post by Chris Skinner »

Hi Guys, I am looking at fitting a new battery before the holidays - what is most powerful battery that fits in the normal rack.
I currently have a 90AH which has lasted pretty well with quite a lot of abuse for about 2 years, but I can see its taking a bit of strain. Actually I need to get a new battery for the boat and was considering using the current patrol battery as the boat batt and get a new one which will better handle the winch etc while on holiday!
Also, what make is suggested, and best place to buy?
User avatar
Chris Skinner
Patrolman
Patrolman
Posts: 852
Joined: 26 Nov 2009 12:58
Full Name: Chris Skinner
Nickname: Chris
Home Town: Centurion
Current 4x4: Nissan Patrol 4,8 GRX 2005
Home Language: English
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: New Battery

Post by Chris Skinner »

After posting the above, I looked through some old threads.
A year or two ago some guys have gone for the VArta G7 95AH battery. It looks good on paper - is there anyone that can provide some actual feedback??
User avatar
David
Patrolman
Patrolman
Posts: 723
Joined: 17 Dec 2009 12:42
Full Name: David Prinsloo
Nickname: David
Home Town: Stellenbosch
Current 4x4: 2006 Patrol 4.8 GRX
Home Language: Afrikaans
Location: Stellenbosch
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 48 times

Re: New Battery

Post by David »

Chris, I am still very happy with my Varta as it is an excellent cranking battery but we will have to wait a few years before I can comment on its lifespan :lol:
2006 Patrol 4.8 GRX Tiptronic Y61/GU(4)
ARB Bullbar, BZT rear bar, TJM 2" Suspension, Snorkel, LT 285/70/17 BFG KO2's, 40L Engel

Stop Rhino Poaching Supporter!
firessafari
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 60
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 14:05
Full Name: Johan van Vuuren
Nickname: Johan
Home Town: Krugersdorp
Current 4x4: Safari s/w
Home Language: Afrikaans
Been thanked: 7 times

Re: New Battery

Post by firessafari »

I have a Varta running for four years no problems, I believe it is the best battery out there.
Johan
User avatar
ricster
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 5850
Joined: 13 Jan 2010 11:16
Full Name: Cedric Warner
Nickname: Cedric
Home Town: Alberton Gauteng
Current 4x4: '99 Nissan Patrol 4.2 Turbo Diesel
Home Language: English
Location: LA..... No not Los Angles ..... Lower Alberton, Gauteng
Has thanked: 591 times
Been thanked: 468 times

Re: New Battery

Post by ricster »

I have a Varta battery in my Iron Maiden for 3 years now, subjected to the heat of the engine bay and loads of short stop start driving. With a compression ratio of 22.7:1 it takes a HUGE chunk of oomph to crank that motor especially in winter, and never had a problem. The Varta batteries are used in most European manufacturers as standard batteries.

However.... I also have a second deep cycle battery for my winch and a few extra goodies. So I don't have the drain that my 12000lb winch will take out of the battery. Having said that, if your alternator has the amperage to keep the battery charged whilst using the winch then I cannot see any problem with that.
Regards
Cedric
Nissan Patrol GL 4.2 Diesel Turbo (Iron Maiden)
Nissan SANI 3.0 V6 4x4 (SOLD)
Isuzu KB 280 DT 2x4 ('ol Smokey) - SOLD
Suzuki TL 1000R "V twin" (Growler) - SOLD
User avatar
Grant
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 1269
Joined: 29 Apr 2009 14:52
Full Name: Francis
Nickname: Grant
Home Town: Rosendal
Current 4x4: 2020 70 Series V8 LC
Hilux 2,4 4x4 SC Dakar
Home Language: English
Location: Eastern Free State
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 25 times

Re: New Battery

Post by Grant »

Chris,

I use Deltec and have had very good service with them. Contact Capital Battery's in Centurion. Great bunch of guys and always willing to go the extra mile.

http://www.sa-business-directory.co.za/ ... nturion-cc
V8 Power

You can't expect to be old and wise
if you were never young and crazy
User avatar
Chris Skinner
Patrolman
Patrolman
Posts: 852
Joined: 26 Nov 2009 12:58
Full Name: Chris Skinner
Nickname: Chris
Home Town: Centurion
Current 4x4: Nissan Patrol 4,8 GRX 2005
Home Language: English
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 53 times

Re: New Battery

Post by Chris Skinner »

I got some interesting info today from various places, including Capital Batteries. I would like to verify the following claims - can anyone shed some light on this.
The ideal battery is the G7 - Varta Battery (Blue) (95AH) (price R1900) looks identical to the Enertec (Black) (price 1650) also 95AH, the salesperson claims it is exactly the same battery with same internal structure. There is an equivalent Deltec battery, also loks identical for around R1600. These batteries all have 2 yr warranty.
My current battery is the Enertec and after 2 yrs is starting to signs of weakness, but not so much that the 2 yr warranty can be exercised.
There are other batteries, Willard etc, quite a lot cheaper but no where near the performance and also with only 1 yr warranty.
My feeling is that the VArta has something newer/better inside, a different strucure, better quality lead or whatever (they basically say similar in their advertising). I think the R300 odd price difference therefore is probably worth it.
User avatar
Carel
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 213
Joined: 25 Jul 2011 08:41
Full Name: Carel Vos
Nickname: Carel
Home Town: Germiston
Current 4x4: 84 Safari
2001 Patrol 4.5 GRX
Home Language: Afrikaans
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: New Battery

Post by Carel »

Is the R300 extra not just for the name or is there really something different to the batteries?
Work is only hard for those who hardly work
User avatar
Alex Roux
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 2627
Joined: 11 Jul 2011 10:54
Full Name: Alexander Roux
Nickname: Calculator
Home Town: Johannesburg
Current 4x4: 2004 GU 3TDi (Lexus) - aka "Witblits" (sold)
2005: GU TD42 - aka "Masewa"
1996: GQ TB48 conversion - aka "Skilpad"
1993: GQ SWB TB42 - aka "Shortie"
1985: MQ Patrol (Safari) SD33 - aka "Toro"
Home Language: Afrikaans
Has thanked: 49 times
Been thanked: 240 times

Re: New Battery

Post by Alex Roux »

Guys

I assume we are talking about the starter battery only?
My deep cycle (auxillary) is close to its end and need to know what to look for as a replacement.

What is the life span one should be able to expect from the auxillary battery?
I got mine in May 2010. It served me well until now.
But being inside the engine bay (i.e the heat) may have caused the ife span to be shorter.

I have heard of the so-called zero cycles? I.e. it can run dead and still be recharged.
Is this a good option?
Skilpad, Shortie, Toro & Masewa
User avatar
Tinus lotz
Moderator
Posts: 7579
Joined: 29 Aug 2010 13:07
Full Name: Tinus lotz
Nickname: Tinus lotz
Home Town: Centurion
Current 4x4: Nissan patrol 4.8 GRX 2005

Toyota 2.7 legend 35 LWB 4X4
Home Language: Afrikaans
Has thanked: 800 times
Been thanked: 549 times

Re: New Battery

Post by Tinus lotz »

Alex you are talking about a lead cristal ..???
Post Reply

Return to “15. Other Patrol Stuff”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests