Miata Mailing List: December 1996, Message #12
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   From: (none)

Subject: Re: Replacement battery

   Date: (none)



IMHO



I don't care if they less or not at all.  I don't want one of those

sealed in the trunk of my Miata.  There must have been a real reason for

Mazda to spend the money to use a gel cell.  I will spend the extra

$35-50 dollars for a replacement battery rather than take the chance of

a problem.



With everything we spend on our cars I fail to see the economy in saving

those few bucks.



- 



Larry and The White Knight (who's glad Daddy spent for a gel cel)



M Club Member #70

'91 Crystal White 

S.C. Tags "RUJELUS"

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Robert G Saville wrote:

> 

> I think you will find that modern wet auto batteries do not gas as they

> did years ago. The curent chemistry & sealed construction which makes

> them maintance free also gets rid of gassing.

> 

> Robert Saville

> savilrg@juno.com

> Red 91 & Red 61 (TR-3)

> 

> On Sun, 1 Dec 1996 08:18:26 -0500 markb@adnc.com (Mark) writes:

> >At 6:52 PM 11/30/96, Mike O'Barr wrote:

> >>Just installed a Sears Die Hard group 51 battery.  The battery fits

> >in

> >>the original tray great.  It is maybe a 1/4" narrower, about 1/4"

> >>shallower, and about 1" taller than the original Panasonic.  The only

> >>thing I had to change was the hold down bolt because of the taller

> >>battery.  Total price of about $60 without tax.  The local dealers

> >>wanted $130 for a new Mazada battery.  The new battery is not vented

> >>outside so I will watch for signs of corrosion.

> >

> >Mike,

> >

> >Just my two cents...but, I think you have done yourself and your Miata

> >a

> >disservice.

> >

> >There is a REASON that a gel cell battery was used in the Miata and

> >that is

> >because the trunk is a relatively sealed area.  The possible

> >accumulation

> >of dangerous vapors is a real factor in Mazda's decision to avoid

> >using a

> >wet cell battery.  The fact that you are not venting the new battery

> >only

> >adds to my concern.  Gases from a traditional automotive battery are

> >extremely explosive.  It is quite possible that a rear-end collison

> >that

> >would have resulted in nothing more than serious damage could now

> >result in

> >your Miata going up in a ball of fire.  That battery is only about 14

> >inches from the gas tank.

> >

> >Granted, the Mazda battery >is< expensive.  However, if you order one

> >from

> >a place like Roebuck you can get it for under $100.  Not too bad when

> >you

> >consider that most owners get 4-5 years service out of these

> >batteries.

> >

> >For $50 saved, it's just not worth it to go with a wet cell.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >----------------------------------------------

> > Mark Booth - '92 B Classic Red,  Team Voodoo

> >       President - San Diego Miata Club

> > P.O. Box 2286, Spring Valley, CA  91979-2286

> >      24-hour voice/fax - (619) 670-7948

> >----------------------------------------------

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >



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