Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Battery Advice

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me the correct battery type (Size code) fitted to a 1989 Plus 8. Mine has failed (while having it's MOT!!!) I've just removed the old one (Lucas) but there is no code displayed and I'm not sure if it was the correct fit anyway. I'd like to replace with the correct size.

Nothing in the owners handbook either.

For info it is installed behind the passenger seat under the wooden board.

Regards

Mark

I replaced the battery in my 1977 Plus 8 (which I think is supposed to take a type 049) with the following

S4 023 Bosch Car Battery 12V 45Ah Type 049 S4023

but I had to modify the retaining clamp slightly to make it fit. (Disappointingly, it was supposed to have a rating of 330 CCA but it only measured 295 when it arrived - but it seems to work fine).

So the moral of the story is to measure the size of the battery holder/retaining clamp and check it against the dimensions of the battery you intend to buy before you actually buy it.

That's perfect, Type 049 and I'll check the clamp. Thanks for the prompt reply.

Regards

Mark

While I agree with Marks wise advice, to which I would add, it would also be worth paying attention to the location of the positive and negative terminals and their type, flat/round, as for location of the terminals, your battery leads may not reach if you have them in a different location from original..?

Good luck in your choices.

I'd measure the old battery dimensions & terminal locations first.
You can then compare what you have on this chart

Having just as a precaution replaced the 10 year old one on my roadster I can tell you that was a type 75.

Cold cranking amps (CCA) is a laboratory derived figure. You would be very lucky to be able to measure and match to same figure on any battery, given natural degradation which will start almost as soon as it's used. Battery capacity measured in amp hours (Ah) is more relevant to longevity.

The generic battery type defines the general dimensions, battery terminal configuration and approximate capacity BTW.

Mark, have a look at the Tayna batteries website, full details and dimensions etc. there, great service, prices, warranty etc. I think they charge carriage but, I think, carriage free on Ebay but prices may be increased, just check!

Battery Megastore (BMS) is a favourite source of mine and they don't charge delivery which is next day in most cases. They will also price match.

I am still running the original Banner battery after 12 years. When the car is not in use I always keep a battery minder attached.
It just goes to show that a good quality battery and a battery minder assure a long and trouble free battery life.

According to the Banner website the following is the correct battery in their range:
https://www.bannerbatterien.com/en/Products/Starter-Batteries/Power-Bull/30-P40-27-ASIA

I would definitely check the actual measurements and terminal positions before buying anything. I don't really trust 100% that any database would have the correct battery when it comes to Morgan.

A word of caution regarding apparent battery sizes. I recently needed a new battery for my +8. I took the battery retaining frame to TAYNA batteries who were very helpful. It turns out that the quoted battery sizes are the outside dimensions which may be different to the dimensions of the top of the battery which is where the retaining frame fits. The quoted size may be for the base of the battery which may have a projection for a clamp to retain the battery.

There was only one battery which fitted the Morgan frame. It had the required CCA but the amp hours were a lot less than the original battery. I was assured that it would turn the V8 over ok because of the correct CCA but I am not sure how it will perform in the long run.

I would be inclined to make my own retaining frame for the battery of my own choice the next time round.