Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Batteries

When I got my 4/4 rebuilt, one of the things that was noticed was a great deal of corrosion underneath the battery. I needed a new bulkhead anyway, but I also bought one of those neutralising battery mats to put underneath it.

Looking at it the other day, I've noticed it has caught a lot of spills. The vibrations obviously don't agree with the battery. So, I've purchased an Optima Red top to replace it, located (possibly rashly) from ebay.

It should be arriving later this week, and I'll have all the fun of fitting it. It's larger than the existing battery in width and length, so I'll have to fashion a new clamp.

Ideas welcome!

A modern battery should never leak: all quality batteries use some variation of a gel electrolyte and a glass matt to hold it.

Put that in a polypropylene case and the only place anything can leak is from the air vent if the battery boils.

Boiling can only be caused by over charging, due to poor regulation of the alternator output.

Morgan specify batteries from Uni Bull in Austria: they have all the required features and are leak-proof if used normally, as I'd expect the Optima will be. Neither are cheap....

Battery technology has evolved a long way from black cases with removable caps that needed topping up regularly.... and it continues to evolve. The days of lead acid batteries are numbered, it won't be long before some form of Lithium Ion battery is available at an affordable price. At the moment they are over £1000.....!!

The only problem is they don't last as long as the older variety , youre lucky to get 3 years max !

The Mk1 and Mk2 MX5 have had these new tech batteries in from the factory.

Most of those last longer than 10 years.

I have found recently say over the past 5 years, the Lead Acid batteries that I have bought with a 3 year warranty, in most cases I have claimed on the warranty.

eddie

My 4/4 has a cheap topupable battery at the moment. This will be quite an improvement!

I read some time ago that BMW wanted to move to a 48V starting system, with a combined starter / alternator built into the flywheel. The idea was to reduce weight, and have a smaller battery.

By starting with all valves open, the engine could be brought up to starting speed quickly, then you start firing the cylinders one by one. With the valves open, you don't need such a hefty torque for the starter, and with 48V rather than 12, the size of the cabling can be greatly reduced.

Sounded rather sensible to me!

Not a lot new in using a compression release device to aid starting...

But yes, if you have electronic control of the valves the level of possible control/improvement is enormous.
There is no reason for 12v electrics other than it is better than 6v... Logically going to 120v, as used by modern aircraft for all the systems would make sense.

Merc are doing the same. I buy batteries from Halfrauds for my Mogs both have lasted over 7 years , but are left on trickle charger in the garage

Indeed, Morgan twins of both two and three speed flavours came with a decompresser for starting, and I suspect the practice started at the dawn of motoring in the late 19th century.

correct. Royal Enfields had them in the 90's even. Not sure if the new engine does or doesn't

My 1920 Triumph H had a fitted decompressor ...you would not be able to kick start it without the de-comp raised!

This was a common part on all Triumphs (except the GPs which were bump start).