Miata Mailing List: January 1998, Message #205
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From: 	"John Freas" <jfreas@gte.net>

Subject: Re: A miata battery special??? No has it.

Date: 	Fri, 2 Jan 1998 20:18:40 +0000



Previously on miata battery, Heinz <Melon68@aol.com> said...



>    I went to buy a battery for my maita today, and guess what ACdelco,

> interstate, just about everyone dosen't make one for this car. Can

someone

> look under the hood and tell what aftermarket brand they are using,

because if

> I go to this dealer once more I'm going to have to remortgage my house.

Thanks

> in advance. And they told me the battery was vented. I quess thats what

the

> tubes are for.



Nobody makes a replacement because the Miata battery is a very special

design (see http://www.miata.net/garage/battery.html for details).



It is /not/ recommended to replace the Miata AGM battery with a regular

battery.  Apart from fit problems due to larger size, heavier weight, and

concerns about corrosion from vented or spilled electrolyte, the average

battery won't last nearly as long as a well cared for Miata (Panasonic)

battery.  The one in my car is OEM from 1989 and still working fine.  Yes,

the OEM is expensive compared to a wet battery, but considering it lasts

many years longer, the cost of ownership over the life of the battery is as

good or better with the Panasonic.



The good news is that there /is/ an alternative.  Westco makes an AGM

battery that works in the Miata, and it costs a lot less than the factory

one.  The Westco is sold by most of the online vendors.



Finally, are you sure you need a new battery?  You do know about the AGMs

need for a long trickle charge to recover from being run flat, right?



	-John



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John Freas (jfreas@gte.net)

Red '90 Base-ish #7690

Deer Park, Long Island

Team Laguna Seca

Team dlralt

Team PBC

Team Roebuck

Team Voodoo

Team "I have no idea what those dimple things on the windshield frame are

for."

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