New battery needed

[Sarthe72]

After 17 years the battery is dying. It hasn't shown more than 80% for a couple of years now, so time for a change. But a conversation leads me to believe that it is difficult to find ones that will fit inside the clamps. Has anyone else had this problem and can anyone point me in the direction of a supplier please? I'm not wanting an original concours-style battery, just a good one that will give good service.

[Heuer]

Bosch Silver 12V 70Ah Type 068 S4026 fits and the terminals are on the outer side for convenience. I bought mine from Tayna Batteries: https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/types/068/ Several makes to choose from in a range of prices and they deliver very quickly.

I peel off all the stickers for a more 'period' look.

[cactusman]

And you can find passable reproduction Lucas stickers on that well known auction site for a few beer tokens

[Heuer]

Well not quite. Up until 1965 the batteries had 'Lucas' embossed on them. After that a sticker was used but bears no resemblance to the currently available repro ones. Notice the Type number of FRV117A which aligns with the SPC:


The UK version did not have the 'Inc' in the strap line, obviously. The red/gold sticker was introduced in the 1970's. The 1965 on-wards sticker is not currently reproduced although this one is close:


Anyone care to take it on?

[chrisfell]

I have a Lucas battery in my E. The Lucas label is big and green.

I did have a Bosch Silver battery as David described. I junked it after about two years when it developed an internal short. I still use it some five years later for non car jobs, such as powering the electric jack.