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MG MGF Technical - Battery problems ???

Hello all :)

ok yesterday been to see the car in the car park. Car was there since 1 week and a half. Last time it has done 500 km (mainly motorways).

Yesterday no led on the dash board, no unlock (have to use the key itself) and no light inside... of course the ignition key does nothing (no light on the dash and no ignition)...

have ask price for the battery, it's 259€ because it's a calcium one ... iiiiks .... too expansive...

now I wonder why my 3 and half year battery has gone like that...
- old battery need replacing
- fuses
- faulty ECU stay on
- faulty fan

mecanics says I can use my Fiesta Diesel battery to start the car... but the diesel is 600 A and MGF is 540A... do yu think I can use the fiesta battery ??
moreover is it possible to recharge a flat battery ?? (always herad no)...

thanks for help :)

maxime
mabonnet

>>have ask price for the battery, it's 259€ because it's a calcium one ... iiiiks .... too expansive...<<

Someone is joking, surely ?
My MGF (original) battery is a low-tech unit and I would hope to replace it for about 50 euros.

>>mecanics says I can use my Fiesta Diesel battery to start the car... but the diesel is 600 A and MGF is 540A... do yu think I can use the fiesta battery ??
moreover is it possible to recharge a flat battery ?? (always herad no)...<<

I would get some charge into the battery before attempting to start it. An 'intelligent' charger, such as an Optimate can handle a totally flat battery.
The Fiesta battery should be OK for starting the MGF.
Steve

Using a battery of higher ampage should cause no trouble.

rechareging is no problem, but car batteries don't like to be run flat, so if it wasn't dead, then it will now die sooner or not hold so much charge.

Will Munns

Am I showing my ignorance ?? What is a "Calcium Battery" ?? No problem with your Fiesta battery, the starter will not know the difference in the capacity.
Any garage will charge your MG battery and Load Test it.
Winter is coming. If the old battery is 4+ years old, then a good "Normal" Lead Acid battery at less than 100 Euros would be a good investment.
Geoff F.
G. Farthing

>>What is a "Calcium Battery"<<

A low (no) maintenance battery.
It's still a lead-acid battery, but uses lead-calcium for the grid/plate material.

You might also see the later development of VRLA - the valve-regulated lead-acid battery which is effectively sealed.
Steve

Halfords sell them with a longer gaurantee (4 or 5 years vs 3 for a normal batt)
Will Munns

Ah!!
http:/www.varta-automotive.co.uk I am educated.
Consider if the "Advantages" claimed are worth the extra cost. 20% longer life when used in the hot desert. They say they do not have one applicable for the MGF.
I will keep to the old disposal lead acid as long as it does not have a label on the side with "LUCAS" written on it.
Geoff F.
G. Farthing

How bizzarre, The F takes the 063 or 065 (same physical size, but 065 is bigger current).

There are other cars listed which take the 065, and there are calcium battery references for those. if you get the same battery as specified there then it will work and be the right size. (e.g. rover 820 diesil)
Will Munns

Steve

Lead is so soft that it deforms under its own weight so adding something like calcium makes it harder and stronger - useful if you want to save weight in a car battery.

We used to use antimony at Chloride Batteries, but maybe calcium is now a cheaper option.

Chris
Chris

Thanks a lot guy...

ok the 065 seem ok on VARTA... Also 5D for BOSCH.

the only probleme is on my battery there is written 570 A and varta or bosch one 420A ...

looks not enought powerfull for my car ...

maxime (confused about battery)
mabonnet

This thread was discussed between 20/10/2004 and 21/10/2004

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