Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Battery

Hi,

I need to replace the battery on my 2002 4/4, the current battery can't hold the charge for very long.

It's currently fitted with a Red Flash 750, and I'm wondering if there is any advice on a better spec battery that I could fit. A replacement Red Flash battery is pricey, and as this is the 2nd Red Flash battery that hasn't lasted very long so I'm thinking about alternatives.

Plus, does anyone know the actual battery spec that is compatible with a 2002 4/4 1.8 Zetec

Thanks in advance

The Red Flash 750 is a 26 amp hour (capacity) AGM battery commanding an astronomical price for its size. It's also has an unusually low height of 125mm together with less common female thread terminals, likely to allow accomodation under the bonnet.

If you can source a similar size one of at least the same capacity (which may explain the modest longevity) at a reasonable price it may be the best course accepting, you may need to change battery connectors to more common type.

Hopefully someone with similar car has done the homework and can offer an alternate. Otherwise you may be stuck having to buy another Red Flash as here.

I have the same car and mine has an Odyssey PC925 with conventional connections.

The Odyssey PC925 is of similar capacity, has the same height and uses the same threaded female terminal configuration so would be straight swap and at a slightly lower price, although still high IMO.

The issue of longevity I think is related to the unusually low capacity for starting even a 1600cc engine, dictated by limited height available under bonnet. This means the OE battery being less than half the capacity of those on later cars, with more spacious accomodation behind the passenger seat, takes proportionally far more out of the battery during each start, so impacting longevity. As the natural ageing process gives a gradual decline in capacity the reserve of same also dicates longevity. This double hit may explain why OE batteries don't last as long as they should despite being of robust AGM design.