Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing New battery

My 06 plus 4 has been ‘resting’ in the garage for a few weeks during the bad weather - attached to a dedicated trickle battery charger. This morning I tried a start and got a series of clicks as the key went in and a different set of clicks as I turned the key. No hint of ignition or turnover. Green light on the charger sugesting everything was in order but no movement at all. It is a pretty old battery so I think I must probably invest in a new one.
First inspection suggests it is pretty cramped in the battery area and removal replacement looks interesting. Carpets, wooden cover and tool tray are out.
A few questions:
Any suggestions on the best way to get the old one out. Do I need to jack the car and remove a wheel for access.? Does the battery come out into the car or go down from the tray, around the axle etc to the ground.
Do I need to do anything to protect/maintain info contained in the ‘computer’ system whilst removing the battery. No radio fitted.
Suppliers seem to list batteries having different case sizes. There seems to be good space in the tray etc but are there any potential problems using a standard battery. Any recommendations on manufacturers?
Any tips or suggestions to ease the learning curve gratefully accepted.

I got one from Halfords that lasted over 7 years as was going strong when I sold it for my 97 +4. It was a gel battery not lead acid.

I normally jack up the car and extract them from underneath but in theory you can get it out via the hole in the rear valance that is covered by the metal plate.

I took mine out through the cover plate but it's tricky lifting it over the lip. There's a 'how to' in my how to list.

http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/457673/Workshop_Note:_Battery_replace#Post457673


And from an earlier post:

This afternoon I've been exploring Banner Batteries. They don't make it easy to find them, and most battery retailers don't include Morgan in the options drop down.

It seems that 'recent' cars have the Banner 50 200 Uni Bull, which is 58Ah and CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) of 450A. Dimensions are 241x175x175mm and I checked this with a tape earlier.

I found a limited number for sale on line, some at buttock clenching prices.
Here's a decent price though - £80 but the length of guarantee isn't mentioned.
https://www.tayna.co.uk/065-075-078-092-097-Banner-Uni-Bull-Battery-50200-P9656.html

A comparable VARTA is the D21 (075) Silver Dynamic at 61Ah and CCA of 600A with a five year guarantee at £44.97.
Dimensions are 242x175x175 and I don't think the extra 1mm length will be a problem.
Here:
https://www.tayna.co.uk/D21-075-Varta-Silver-Dynamic-Car-Battery-561400060-P7743.html

There's a Black Dynamic here with a bit less performance - 53Ah and CCA 470A and only a 3 year guarantee but at £43.72 the difference in price is so small that the silver spec is a much better bet.
https://www.tayna.co.uk/Type-065-Varta-Black-Dynamic-Car-Battery-P3135.html
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I have the same car as you but it does not have an inspection hatch.
I have bought one of these for my quad https://tinyurl.com/y8x4m786
Not only does it lower the battery without the strain of holding it but it pushes it back to its original position.

Whoever decided to nail the main battery to the rear axle should get the next Darwin award!

No nothing. The ECU will lose its memory when you disconnect the battery but this is not a problem. It will re-learn the necessary parameters over the next 20 miles or so when reconnected. It’s so subtle you won’t notice anything.

Many thanks for all the info Dave. It will help a lot with the replacement. My machine doesn’t seem to have an inspection plate. Should make things a little easier.
Best regards, Ross

Thankyou John. Looks like a useful piece of kit. No inspection plate on my car either.
Best regards, Ross

Thanks Roger. Good to know about the operation of the ECU.

On my plus 8, I normally access the battery from on top, disconnect it, and then lower it to the ground. Jack up the rear and pull the battery out. Place the new battery in its place, lower the car (carefully). The lift the battery back into place.

Just need to keep an eye on the new battery as you lower the car !

On my +8 I change it out from the top having removed the wooden saddle board.

I have an isolator switch and I always leave it off when I park it and the battery holds it's charge for at least 7 weeks without a float charge you don't really need one this way.

The ECU soon relearns as you drive, they are constantly correcting all the time you are driving any way that is their function.