Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Starting - Battery?

Not sure where you are in Gloucs but these guys have been great to deal in the past: https://www.grovesbatteries.co.uk/

I have used as an alternative the AGM-12 Exide Motorcycle Battery 12V (4990). Definitely better than the Banner but exactly the same size.

As others already said here, I would suggest checking first the earth connections. If your engine started correctly a couple of times, well, maybe you emptied the battery or maybe an earth nut went loose...

The sound of the thread you indicated was exactly what my brand new M3W did to me the very first trip / day out.

Came back to the garage on an insurance trailer, to just tight a silly nut at the dealer’s garage to restart the engine as if nothing happened.

This is the nut that got loose and let us down in the silliest way... It's on the left side of my LHD 3-Wheeler, at the front.

First Banner failed 1 month after buying car - KH gave me a new Banner (which had the pos/neg posts in opposite position???) - this failed 6 months later.
Now use this:

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/eu/odyssey-extreme-racing-25-battery-pc680-odypc680/

Smaller/lighter than Banner, so had to fit a plywood base to battery tray frame and modify top clamp.
Starts immediately.

I have an Odyssey on my Plus8 at least 8 years old ( it was on the car when bought) and still starting the car easily.
Ctech keeps it managed using direct to battery connectors that came with the Ctech.
I did once drain the battery by leaving lights on whilst garaged but it recharged ok with the Ctech.

I dont think full car batteries in the Trads have the same issues as the bike batteries in M3Ws.

I went Lithium. Anyone need a Pb battery conditioner?

the problem for MC batteries is that the way they reduce the size is to use thinner plates. They are more likely to warp and just get "used up" quicker. We have a plus 8 with an Odyessy which is still a VERY small battery for an 8 cylinder engine.

Thanks again, everyone for help and comments.
I started the car easily tonight, and will get it home on Friday to give everything a check over, and then MOT.
Would have tonight, but it was torrential rain and I chickened out!

Sounds like you got the problem resolved. Great news!

For the record, EarthX’s lithium ETX36D has proven a very reliable replacement to the Banner, even with the immobiliser energy drain.

Apparently the battery in my M3W (a Yuasa - same size as original Banner) has died again while it is in storage in France. I suspect that the CTEK conditioner that I left in the car, did not get connected as instructed. I will now consider going lithium. I have a solid state H-D rectifier/charge controller, which apparently works well with Lithium batteries. As I cannot currently access the car, can someone please advise me the dimensions of the original battery. Selection of Lithium batteries is quite limited in France, with most being send mail order from Germany, so as and when permitted, I may need to take one out with me. One reason for going lithium is that charging a lead acid battery in ambient temperatures of 45ºC and probably 55-60º or more under the bonnet, apparently shortens their life considerably.

Wilson