Miata Mailing List: December 1996, Message #7
sponsored by



     



   From: (none)

Subject: Re: Replacement battery

   Date: (none)



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

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

>

>

>

>

>