The 'E' Type Forum

Now you've got me started !! I have just posted a reply on the old chestnut of the headlight rims.

There is a story I heard about E type batteries and I can verify this tomorrow after I go home tonight to check my car and details, but there is a manufacturer in Essex where my battery comes from, (I have had a couple directly from them now) who makes a specific battery for E type's. They make the battery by fitting 11 plates in 10 plate case to give that extra kick needed. They are black rubber cased and fit the mounting support and top clamp plate perfectly, plus are a good price.

Also I run a seperate earth cable of a decent large size direct from the battery earth mounting on the body, direct to the engine block, adjacent to where the flexible earth strap links the block to the body. This gives a direct earth link from the battery to the block. Good earthing is vital to the large E type engine and the engine cranks over fine. Often any cranking problems are not the starter motor, but a poor earth. Today's top tip - and cheap !!


Dave

Dave

Or you can fit one of these:



More power, less weight, 8 years+ life.

44DHR wrote:They make the battery by fitting 11 plates in 10 plate case to give that extra kick needed.

Aah .... would that be the Spinal Tap special edition Battery ("our volume control goes to 11")? 8)

The Battery is made by LINCON BATTERIES of Leigh-on-Sea in Essex. This is all they do - make batteries in a family run business since 1908.

Tel 01702 528711/525374. Website www.lincon.co.uk

I have no connections with them, just a satisfied customer. My battery is part number AN291 and was ?50 plus VAT back in June 2006.

cheers,

Dave

Dave

Good find - I will add a link in the 'Recommended Suppliers' list. Bargain price as well given the red Odyssey above costs ?190. I should point out though the standard E-Type Lucas battery (CA11/7) had 11 plates so not sure what they mean about the extra power provided.

I have just bought the one that a well known motor factor recommended as correct for the car; type 072, 61Ah. The terminals have to be inner most to the car to avoid the live terminal being next to the wheel arch. Apart from the terminals being hard to get at under the heater unit is that a problem?
Any way, it is fractionally too big for the battery tray which is disappointing. Don't think that battery is suitable really.

This is a difficult one: although the factory fitted the batteries with the terminals inboard, it has always seemed to me that this has more potential for a short during installation of the battery , ( and this tendency is exacerbated by modern taller batteries) and could result in a serious injury if the battery became shorted whilst installing it. There is no harm in my view in the terminals being on the outside of the car, live ( positive) to the rear and earth ( negative ) to the front . Although i can see the argument that there is more potential for a short in an accident, the terminals are so near the heater motor that the potential is there even with the terminals inboard, when the motor might well be pushed onto the live terminal . Incidentally, it is not the AH of the battery which is crucial, but the cranking amps (CCA) for which if they are given on the SAE standard, I would recommend a minimum of about 500 and preferably nearer 600 . I have usually used type 067

Heuer wrote:Dave

Or you can fit one of these:



More power, less weight, 8 years+ life.

David,
Which model of Odyssey battery would you recommend? having looked at their website it looks like PC1230 would be suitable.
Lincon are currently out of stock and can't deliver for 4 weeks.

I have the SBS40 which has lasted 12 years and still going strong, and I do mean 'strong' - huge starting power. Odyssey do make a battery specifically for the E-Type - the PC1200LT. Why you would want to lumber a conventional battery around is beyond me given, despite the larger initial outlay, the SBS40 is lighter, longer lasting and more powerful. They use them on race cars which is how I found them.

More info in this thread: http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=174

Thanks David,
I haven't used them but here are some other options for batteries:
http://www.totalbatteries.co.uk/mb-E-Type-I12427.html

I've been looking at the Odyssey website and also talking to a dealer here in the Netherlands.

On the Odyssey site their selecter gives the PC1200MJT as the correct battery for my 4.2 engine. Apparently MJ stands for metal jacket, which is for high heat applications. Is that necessary, or is it just for hot countries or something?

The dimensions shown are the same as for the standard PC1200. Does the standard battery restraint fit this battery or does it need modifying? I'm about to order a battery and tray clamp kit, but maybe I won't if it's not going to fit.

I can't find any reference to a PC1200LT. Is it different from a PC1200?

Thanks for any tips.

Dave

attwood wrote:
I can't find any reference to a PC1200LT. Is it different from a PC1200?

Hi dave,
Try here:
http://www.knightbatteries.com/popup.cf ... &p_i=82103
It's rather expensive though.
Some alternatives here too:
http://www.totalbatteries.co.uk/mb-E-Type-I12427.html
Ross

I feel that I ought to share this with you. Problem is I don?t know which Lincon battery I had, but they were of the same size, fitted by Watson and 3 years later another well known Jaguar specialist. Both with the best of intentions. Yes theydo look fantastic in the E-type.

Here?s what happened: gradual build up of crystallization.
I often use the C-tek charger, so I can?t really say the battery got weak and wouldn?t start the car. Might have happened once or twice over the 5 years in question.

I finally took the car to a local Bosch garage. They got OK readings on their equipment, but not top rate. We were about to give up, and had the new, white Bosch S4 battery ready to be mounted after cleaning up the area under the battery, when he opened the caps on top. Cell nr 6 was completely empty. When this happens the whole battery suffers.

What had caused this: the battery is too wide, by less than 1cm. This causes the securing pins on each side to push into the side of the battery, causing an invisible crack through which the liquid or gases from it escape causing the crystallisation and emptying the cell.

As I have had the battery out a few times, I have noted how tight it was, and how difficult it was to fiddle with the J shaped securing pins, with threads on top to fit through the holes on the metal frame with its rubber seals on the sides.

What a pity that Lincon made it just that little bit too wide!!!
I now have an easily fitted, modern Bosch S4 battery which is not as period looking, but then I don?t really care. My S1 OTS is not a show car, although it is a very strong and well sorted car doing 25 MPG on the motorway with its 5-speed gearbox and 3.54 LSD.

Also I run a seperate earth cable of a decent large size direct from the battery earth mounting on the body, direct to the engine block, adjacent to where the flexible earth strap links the block to the body. This gives a direct earth link from the battery to the block. Good earthing is vital to the large E type engine and the engine cranks over fine. Often any cranking problems are not the starter motor, but a poor earth. Today's top tip - and cheap !!

Photo Restoration

Just spoken to Licon and they are hoping that their supplier will provide them with the cases in the next month or so (which takes them out of the picture for me)

Price quoted was approx ?125 delivered so a bit more than the ?50 of 2006 :(

Any other suppliers that people have used? I see Shield and AdvanceBatterySupplies also do classic batteries...

and yes Dave I am tempted by the Oddessy does it come in black? :)

Chris

I have the Enersys SBS40 battery (bright orange) in my car for several reasons:

1. It is about half the weight of a lead acid battery
2. It produces about 50% more power to crank the starter
3. The last one I fitted was in 1999 ........................... and it is still in the car and going strong!

This is the battery fitted to airplanes, medical equipment, black boxes and race cars. Now you could reasonably claim the black original style battery looks better, which is great for your vanity in the pub car park, but on the road who cares! Besides, had I gone with the 'original style' (remember I have Classic Fabs manifolds, Cambridge Motorsport rad/header, ITG filter etc etc) I would have replaced it four times by now at a cost of ?600.

So being practical I would suggest the Oddessy if you want to play safe or the Enersys SBS40 if you want cutting edge.

Its just not my day....

UKBatteries just told me the PC1200LT is no longer available in the UK and that they would need to import one specially from a USA source at significantly greater cost. That leaves me with option of having the terminals outboard or looking for another alternative.

Something to ponder over during the royal wedding :)

Chris

Contact John Burton of the JDC E Typ Register. He can (or could) supply you with a modern, sealed battery, correct size with terminals on the inside. Plain black.

I have one and they are really good.

Did I mention the SBS40 (at ?128)?

Terminals are inboard, albeit on the side.


Did you try these guys? http://www.ukbatterysales.co.uk/applications.asp?AID=9