Miata Mailing List: July 1993, Message #155
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   From: Jerry_Coffman@Novell.COM
Subject: Rcpt: battery
   Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1993 22:58:30 -0400


The following message has been deleted.

Fellow Miata-ites,

This subject recieved some discussion last fall or winter, but I don't
remember
the details, so I'm opening it for more discussion.

The battery on my 90 base model has become so dead that neither 18 hours
of
2 amp charging or a jump start will revive it enough to start the car
more than
once.  I called the dealer, and a new battery is $126.25.  I called a car
parts
store, and aftermarket Miata batteries are not made.

I have several questions:

1)  Has anyone found a substantially lower price on this battery
from any of the "big" Mazda dealers?
2)  Has anyone tried any alternatives to the gel-cell battery from
Mazda, and if so, what did you try and how were your
results.
3)  For the Miautocrossers out there, whats the rule on batteries?
I don't have a 93 rule book, but I know there were changes
from the 92 rules concerning batteries.

I am considering getting a RV/marine battery box, attaching it to the
existing
vent system, and then using a conventional liquid electrolyte battery.
This
would allow me to use $45 batteries, without making a mess in the trunk.
Anyone have any thoughts on this plan?  I plan on owning this car for a
long
time, and I just can't see spending over one hundred dollars every 4
years
for a battery.

Thoughts, suggestions, and comments appreciated.

Steve