Changing from 2 batteries to 1 battery - Why?

[vping]

Is the process of switching from two batteries to one battery a difficult task?
Why switch from two to one?
Are there advantages/disdvantages.

 

[Steve_S]

Lighter weight, less cost, easier maintenance, more reliable, better quality battery (more cranking power and longer battery life).

Other than than, it's a wash. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

 

[rick_ingram]

Lighter weight, less cost, easier maintenance, more reliable, better quality battery (more cranking power and longer battery life).

Other than than, it's a wash. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

And let's add the option of using the second battery box as a hidden storage compartment!

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Lighter weight, less cost, easier maintenance, more reliable, better quality battery (more cranking power and longer battery life).

Other than than, it's a wash. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

And let's add the option of using the second battery box as a hidden storage compartment!

...unless battery acid and rust have "customized" it!

 

[DrEntropy]

Mine's been "customized" like that, Mickey! Now has a single in the left hole. right side is 'fangs' with no bottom. I used the right one to mount a fuel pump into.

 

[19_again]

While the topic is up, any reason to buy the battery buckets as opposed to finding a plastic trash can that's the right size? Seems like 25-30 bucks for a plastic basket is crazy. Are these impervious to battery acid?

 

[vping]

I like the fuel pump idea. The current location is tough to get to,

 

[Scott_Hower]

While the topic is up, any reason to buy the battery buckets as opposed to finding a plastic trash can that's the right size? Seems like 25-30 bucks for a plastic basket is crazy. Are these impervious to battery acid?

I went to wallymart with my tape measure found the housewares section and bought a plastic storage bin (the heavier weight, not the food storage type).

I think I paid all of $2 for it. It needed a bit of persuasion to get it in there, but it's a nice fit. Failing that, you could cut one apart and just poprivet the pieces to the frame. I keep some oil and brake fluid in it, and some hoses/parts that I'm sure I'll never need. Do a search for photos...

I've switched to a single 12V AGM-type and could not be happier.

 

[vping]

I've got to do the wallymart thingy. My GT came with the plastic bin but seeing them recently in MOSS makes me go hmm.
Is switching to 1 battery as easy as disconecting and removing a cable? I've not had a car yet with two and the Roadster I just got, I still need to get into to look at. The GT I came with had the conversion already.

 

[Scott_Hower]

I've got to do the wallymart thingy. My GT came with the plastic bin but seeing them recently in MOSS makes me go hmm.
Is switching to 1 battery as easy as disconecting and removing a cable? I've not had a car yet with two and the Roadster I just got, I still need to get into to look at. The GT I came with had the conversion already.

Yes, assuming you use the pass side box. Remove the series cable between the battery boxes; it is not needed. Add a ground cable/-ve lug to the pass side box. Connect battery to the existing +ve lug. Done.

I replaced my main lug cable for good measure; it was corroded pretty badly. About $25 from British Wiring and it fit perfectly. A couple hours to install though.

Also added a disconnect switch.

 

[billspohn]

Not sure that twin 6 volt batteries don't have more cranking power than a single 12, but in any case, you can buy a 12 volt battery more than up to the task and it will fit in one side nicely.

I don't use the extra space on my coupe, use it for a large fuel pump on the race car, potential but so far unused storage on the MGC and a place for a fuel swirl tank/accumulator on the injected Jamaican.

 

[1965_MGB]

Another reason to change is that when you need to buy a battery, you can go most anywhere and pick up a 26 series battery. Try doing that with the old twin batteries.

I put the boxes in my B' several years ago, and they work great. I like the fact that they use the stock fasteners to hold them in. I did shim the bottom a bit to take some of the weight off the box. I just cut and fit a piece of an old plastic cutting board to the remnants of the original battery box.

 

[vping]

I don't remember the battery I put in the GT from autozone. I'm going to have to check tomorrow and see what size it is.

 

[DrEntropy]

As Ron noted, 26 series.

IIRC, 26R is what we stuffed into Herself's car.

 

[sqbsprite]

Several years ago, I converted to a single battery. I used the plastic boxes from Moss also. I went one step further and welded a piano hinge to the cover. I removed the
hold down fasteners and installed a keyed latch from a desk drawer. Now I have a lockable storage compartment that is clean and pretty secure since not too many people would know where to look. Another good reason to use the boxes or some sort of a container is that it keeps the battery nice and clean and prevents further corrosion to the frame.

By the way I also wired in an on board trickle charger to both my MGB and my Sprite. Since I don't drive them daily, I just plug them in occasionally for a few days. My last MGB battery lasted 8 years. The one I have now is 4 years old and still going strong. It really makes a difference if your car sits idle for any long period of time.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Several years ago, I converted to a single battery. I used the plastic boxes from Moss also. I went one step further and welded a piano hinge to the cover. I removed the hold down fasteners and installed a keyed latch from a desk drawer. Now I have a lockable storage compartment that is clean and pretty secure since not too many people would know where to look.

Now THERE'S a perfect "Why didn't I think of that?" thing.

Thanks for the great idea!

Mickey

 

[vping]

While the topic is up, any reason to buy the battery buckets as opposed to finding a plastic trash can that's the right size? Seems like 25-30 bucks for a plastic basket is crazy. Are these impervious to battery acid?

I went to wallymart with my tape measure found the housewares section and bought a plastic storage bin (the heavier weight, not the food storage type).

I think I paid all of $2 for it. It needed a bit of persuasion to get it in there, but it's a nice fit. Failing that, you could cut one apart and just poprivet the pieces to the frame. I keep some oil and brake fluid in it, and some hoses/parts that I'm sure I'll never need. Do a search for photos...

I've switched to a single 12V AGM-type and could not be happier.

You would not happen to ahve a pic of this or a part number would ya? I'm checking online Consolidated Plastics, & MSC to see what they have on their website.

 

[Scott_Hower]

You would not happen to ahve a pic of this or a part number would ya? I'm checking online Consolidated Plastics, & MSC to see what they have on their website.

Here ya go. It's made by "Sterilite":

https://www.sterilite.com/Category.html?Section=Storage&ProductCategory=157#

Looks like the product# is 1872.

 

[vping]

That looks Perfect.

 

[Dave Russell]

For a different approach see here, it's still working very well:
https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/197491/page/45#Post197491
D