Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Battery

Just a little point as regard the battery on the MTW I assumed that all batteries these days were modern "jell" filled maintaince free Not so After having starter problems decided to check the battery A great bit of design by MMC The battery is held down with an 25mm wide ally plate and under the plate is the filler holes to the battery Very clever

It is clever: By securing the filling holes, there's less chance of the water..and the acid..spilling out from all that vibration.

The real issue is why they aren't using a maintenance free/sealed battery, although this is easily and inexpensively addressed.

I don't know about the States, but in the UK those Gel batteries are around twice the price of the lead/acid 'Banner' battery supplied by MMC, so at around 500 units a year there would be considerable extra cost.

I agree though, if being replaced, a small gel battery fixed against the bulkhead would be a no brainer. The big question then would be what to do with all that space under the cowl.

Our old Morrison Minor convertible (1952, I think) required removal of the carpet, and then a bunch of screws in order to remove the access panel just to inspect or refill the fluid levels of the reservoirs for the clutch and brake master cylinder. Consequentially, the fluid levels rarel were checked unless a failure occurred.

I always thought difficult access just to perform routine service chores was sort of a tradition on British automobiles (not that other makes can't be just as bad, checking the air in the spare tire of my Honda Odyssey is just about as difficult as the Morris Minor's fluids).

Bill in FtL

To get to the battery, brake master cylinder & gearbox filler on my 1930 Sunbeam 16hp, peel back carpet, undo dzus fastener on toe board & remove, undo catches on floor board & remove, simples.

I'm keeping my battery staggering on with a Battery Fighter conditioner I won from MOG Mag. The Varta lead acid is 19 years old & considering there is no voltage regulation just a cutout & on/off charge switch it has a hard life. I do always use an isolator switch on stopping. Quality pays dividends.

Tim

I up graded my battery for a sealed unit made by VARTA It has the same foot print and is 40mm taller ( need to make new rods)It is rated at 40Ah and not 30Ah as the original
No VARTA 540 126 033 14A

Thats good to know.

I isolated the battery from the. Oil tank température
The water level must be verified often

I just checked the electrolyte levels on my original Banner battery. One cell needed some water, two looked cloudy others were clear. Should I be worried? I had assumed it was a sealed battery as the caps did not appear to have a breather so never checked before.

Tim