Battery Age?

[paintman]

Had to buy a new battery for the Hood today as I can't get any petrol through from the tank with the poor cranking from the old battery and a mechanical fuel pump!!   (new pump on the way)

The old battery doesn't have round poles but the old squared lug with a hole for a bolt.

I couldn't get the same sort of battery as they're not evidently made anymore!

How old does that make my battery would you say?

[Iancider]

Hi Paintman,

The bolt terminals do still exist (T4A) and as far as I am concerned they are more reliable.  They are still standard on Hondas and I think Mercs use them too.

For cranking power you need to look at the Cranking Amps - the CCA figure - especially important if you have a mechanical pump.  For any size the bigger the CCA figure the better.  Cheap batteries have 7 plates and good quality have 13 mesh plates and that's what gives the cranking power.  If the battery cannot deliver the current it is because the internal resistance it s too high, the voltage then drops under load and it will sound like a dying battery.

Also if the car is unused for a long time (like kit cars in winter) you should leave it on trickle charge.  Even a good battery will self-discharge at about 1% per week and "low cycling" shortens the battery life.

I found a very good look-up chart for Yuasa batteries, see link below. 

http://www.puretyre.co.uk/car-battery-specification-chart/

Regards
Ian