NA Battery Replacement?

Technical Guides primarily to do with the NA series

Moderators: timk, Stu, zombie, Andrew, -alex, miata

mightyrollaman
Fast Driver
Posts: 445
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:06 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: ACT

NA Battery Replacement?

Postby mightyrollaman » Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:20 pm

Classic question I know, but I thought I'd check on the latest best advice.

Also, I did a search, so don't shoot me!

So, the time has come to replace the faithful Panasonic in my NA. Its the second one its had, and I'd love to replace it with a unit as good as original, with the correct ventilation etc if needed.

Mine is completely standard, so I have no special needs, just wanting to keep it standard.

Apparently Mazda no longer stock the Panasonic as a replacement, and Mania has them listed for $360, but I'd really love to avoid spending that much.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Image
The Rolla is mightier than the sword.

sailaholic
Speed Racer
Posts: 3511
Joined: Thu May 19, 2011 3:38 pm
Vehicle: NA8
Location: Brisbane

Re: NA Battery Replacement?

Postby sailaholic » Fri Nov 16, 2012 1:15 pm

I just went through this. Basically cough the money for an agm (they are all about the price of mania) or go with a calcium such as the supercharge mf43. Interestingly I replaced one mf43 with a new one and the battery clamp didn't fit!

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

marty085
Racing Driver
Posts: 706
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:08 pm
Vehicle: NA8
Location: Blakehurst NSW

Re: NA Battery Replacement?

Postby marty085 » Fri Nov 16, 2012 2:12 pm

Federal also has a direct replacement, sealed and with the vent plugs. Think it cost me $250 from memory. It's in their dry cell boating range or something random.

93_Clubman
Speed Racer
Posts: 11699
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:35 pm
Vehicle: Clubman
Location: Melbourne

Re: NA Battery Replacement?

Postby 93_Clubman » Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:18 pm

Absorbed Power (aka Supercharge) GT12-35HR non-venting AGM battery under $200:
http://www.absorbedpower.com/battery/products/12volt/

SSB vented Calcium battery $135:
http://www.mx5mania.com.au/product1875.htm

There was also the Supercharge MF40B20DF Calcium battery (slightly different size to the MF43), but may be Supercharge have changed the battery terminal/s on it as well.

The other issue using a different brand of battery is getting the over the top clamp & rod to fit (longer rod fixes the problem), or getting the battery to fit in the black plastic base.

manga_blue
Forum Guru
Posts: 4897
Joined: Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:27 pm
Vehicle: NA8
Location: Moruya, NSW

Re: NA Battery Replacement?

Postby manga_blue » Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:32 pm

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HC20-FULLRIVER-AGM-BATTERY-PC680-/110976534719?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d6b788bf&_uhb=1
I've been using the next size up from this one for 3 years with no problems. It's a proper AGM. Mine is a bit too large and far more powerful than the car needs.
’95 NA8

93_Clubman
Speed Racer
Posts: 11699
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:35 pm
Vehicle: Clubman
Location: Melbourne

Re: NA Battery Replacement?

Postby 93_Clubman » Sat Nov 17, 2012 2:52 pm

Forgot your post about the Fullriver mid last year - it sounds like a great solution with pretty good shipping cost ($17) & lighter!

Panasonic is: 235mm (L) x 160 (H) x 125 (W), & 9.5kg;
&
Fullriver is: 181mm (L) x 167 (total height probably including terminals) x 77 (W) & 7kg.

mightyrollaman
Fast Driver
Posts: 445
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:06 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: ACT

Re: NA Battery Replacement?

Postby mightyrollaman » Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:36 pm

I went with the Federal in the end, as I found a Battery World with it in stock on a Sunday, and needed to sort it then and there.

$295 though stung somewhat, but it should last a while.


Though smaller than than the original Panasonic, it fitted straight up, and interfaced very well with the factory breather tubes and retaining bracket.

Thanks for all the suggestions though!
Image
The Rolla is mightier than the sword.

User avatar
cooper1896
Fast Driver
Posts: 157
Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2011 7:49 pm

Re: NA Battery Replacement?

Postby cooper1896 » Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:30 pm

manga_blue wrote:http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HC20-FULLRIVER-AGM-BATTERY-PC680-/110976534719?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d6b788bf&_uhb=1
I've been using the next size up from this one for 3 years with no problems. It's a proper AGM. Mine is a bit too large and far more powerful than the car needs.


Hey guys.

Is there any reason why this battery wouldn't be suited to my turbo NB SE?

Cheers,
Andrew
Andrew Cooper
White Na8 Clubman

93_Clubman
Speed Racer
Posts: 11699
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:35 pm
Vehicle: Clubman
Location: Melbourne

Re: NA Battery Replacement?

Postby 93_Clubman » Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:53 am

Caff put one into his NB8B yesterday:
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=55595

User avatar
adidistyle
Racing Driver
Posts: 738
Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:35 pm
Vehicle: NA8
Location: Brisbane, QLD

Re: NA Battery Replacement?

Postby adidistyle » Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:47 pm

I just had my battery replaced by RACQ (Brisbane metro).
$235 fitted. 2 yr warranty. Correct size, AGM and vented.
Only catch was they don't carry that model in the service vehicles so they sent someone out from depot, about an hour after requesting it.

Quite happy with that.

Marshall batteries were not much help, surprisingly. MX-5 does not appear in thier catalogue. They initially said "You have got to get OEM", then decided they could make something else fit.
Adam Shipway
NA6 for track. NA8B SE (in slow progress)

User avatar
hks_kansei
Speed Racer
Posts: 6154
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:43 am
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: Victoria

Re: NA Battery Replacement?

Postby hks_kansei » Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:05 pm

RACV do the correct battery for the NA6, it has the correct venting attachments etc etc.

I can't remember the price, or the warranty period, but both were good. (although, when Pam bought the battery it was about 2 years ago now)



I wouldn't be surprised if it's exactly the same as the RACQ one mentioned above.
1999 Mazda MX5 - 1989 Honda CT110 (for sale) - 1994 Mazda 626 wagon (GF's)


Return to β€œNA [1989 - 1997]”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests