Gridgway Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 My 80's BDR has a battery tray on the scuttle where the heater might otherwise be fitted. There was no battery there when I bought the car. There are very few options for a battery to fit the specific tray. In fact while I can find a battery of the right width and length, the top is very close to the bonnet above and it doesn't have the lugs moulded in to locate into the battery tray (which has a clamp at the bottom rather than a strap over the battery. A standard Banner battery would work if I could find a battery tray for it (Caterham out of stock) or get one made as the battery is only 165mm tall. Or I could go gel and lie it on its side with a bespoke battery tray. I don't want to locate the battery under the carbs and the space in front of the passenger footwell has the DS tank there. So could anyone who has a battery on the scuttle (well the flat bit in front of the scuttle) say what battery and battery tray they have got please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 " don't want to locate the battery under the carbs " To my surprise I have become accustomed to it - perhaps an acquired skill, but not as bad as I once feared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted November 21, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted November 21, 2023 My battery (96 Crossflow) is where your dry sump reservoir is. I understand why you don't want it under the carburettors but a gel one might be manageable. Anthony, is your battery a gel type? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 21, 2023 Member Share Posted November 21, 2023 2 hours ago, Gridgway said: Or I could go gel and lie it on its side with a bespoke battery tray. *Most of the alternative lightweight batteries used in Sevens are AGM rather than gel. Jonathan * Unless there's been a sudden uptake of lithium batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 Thanks JK, I think that's what I meant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted November 21, 2023 Support Team Share Posted November 21, 2023 (edited) I have a Varley Red Top 15 with the Varley mounting bracket mounted vertically on the scuttle up against the bulkhead. You could easily fit any typical AGM battery - Odyssey PC680 used to be really popular and is a bit cheaper than the Red Top. Lithium could be the way to go now though. https://varleyredtop.com/project/varley-red-top-15/ https://varleyredtop.com/project/battery-mounting-bracket-varley-red-top-15/ Both available from Demon Tweeks Edited November 21, 2023 by Shaun_E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 When I helped Tazio renovate his BDR he relocated the battery to the boot as he had a DS tank too. Fitted a PVR25 against an ally plate steel riveted to the rear bulkhead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 Now that's a funky option! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted November 21, 2023 Support Team Share Posted November 21, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 Thanks Shaun. Did you decide you needed the extra plate behind and underneath the battery for strength? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted November 21, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted November 21, 2023 I think have a battery tray for a Banner if you need one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 Thanks Paul, but I have already been offered one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted November 21, 2023 Support Team Share Posted November 21, 2023 1 hour ago, Gridgway said: Thanks Shaun. Did you decide you needed the extra plate behind and underneath the battery for strength? No, I used to have a heater and the plate is just blanking the hole🙂. The battery weighs half what a Banner does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevehS3 Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 The Banner is 8kg and 30Ah. The Varley is 5.5kg and 15Ah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 Li on batteries around 1.1kg.... I mount mine on its side on the flat horizontal surface in front of the passenger... to the left of where your heater is. Secured with two full straps of 3M dual lock tape. If you have a short co driver you could always mount inside at the end of the passenger footwear underneath a quick release rally style footrest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted November 23, 2023 Member Share Posted November 23, 2023 Running thread on non-lithium batteries, with specs and experiences. Running thread on lithium batteries, ditto. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted November 26, 2023 Share Posted November 26, 2023 (edited) On 21/11/2023 at 16:38, Golf Juliet Tango said: Anthony, is your battery a gel type? no just a Banner - edit and a DS Tank and a heater. Locating things like the coil can make it practical or not - it is replaced from underneath, sliding backwardsoff its tray. Maybe we should share access videos.. though of course the objection might be physical pain or some such as regards this location. From what direction do you access and/or replace your gel battery? edit2 and dare I mention when on tour I carry a spare battery! Not sure if it's gel, but half the size of a banner so cable ties, duck tape and a spare battery are my core bits. One of my reasons for fitting LED lights all round is to reduce the battery drain rate when the alternator fails - so if touring is not in play then any old small battery will do nicely. Heads up: Banner 53034 and 53030 Switch round the plus/minus terminals and pictures never seem to show which is which. Edited November 26, 2023 by anthonym Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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