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MG MGB Technical - 12 Volt battery

I am going to fit 1 12 volt battery in my chrome bumper roadster.

Which battery have people used for this conversion please?

Colin
Colin Parkinson

I’ve used the Varta B36.

It seems to be well up to the job and has the same footprint as a single 6v, although it is shorter.
Dave O'Neill 2

I went for this one from Rayna batteries earlier this year. £54 delivered.

B36 Varta Blue Dynamic Car Battery 12V 44Ah (544401042) (002L 202)
Gordo

B36 looks like 002L - BUT - I have not checked or the overall dimensions for fit so please confirm for yourself.

Gordo meant Tayna Batteries, I've had a couple of batteries from them, very good, but one wasn't fully charged so don't assume and do check before fitting.

I bought their own Enduroline for my midget and it seems fine, but there's next to nothing electric on a Midget.

https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/types/002l/

Nigel Atkins

Thanks Dave and Gordo, does the Varta fit into the plastic battery box?

Colin
Colin Parkinson

It should do. As I said earlier, it has the same footprint, but is a little shorter in height.
Dave O'Neill 2

This is a B35 that I fitted to my brother’s B.

It was superseded by the B36, but is the same size.


Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks Dave, good pic.

So is there another battery that may as big as the 6 volt, ie bigger than the B36?

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Colin
Don't get tricked by the outside dimensions
These newer batteries will outperform the old twin 6v batteries every day of the week

The Varta B36 is rated at 420 cca, that's enough to pull a ship out of the ocean

willy
William Revit

Nigel, Know what you mean about electrical stuff on a Midget.
The headlights were poor but the Acetylene had it's uses for an impromptu bit of welding!!!!
Allan Reeling

Allen,
I've booked you in on a H&S course.

I've got H4 bulbs and good reflector and len on my Midget headlights so they are very good, but as usual too high on main beam but too low on dip. I find this more so on modern cars, you can either light up the whole county or a short distance in front.
Nigel Atkins

Yeah, my golf's like that, silly thing is low and high beams have seperate reflectors but aren't individually adjustable, both move together---It could have been so easy, but it's not
William Revit

Just like anything else there are 6v batteries and 6v batteries, there is no reason why they cannot use modern innards. I bought a pair of 80AH 600CCA from MGOC earlier this year which are smaller than the previous ones, so much so that I had to drop an extension piece into the cradles. Single-fill with concealed links, cheaper and more powerful than the original multi-fill exposed link type that are still available.
paulh4

Thanks for all your help guys. I have ordered a B36.

It will need a plywood packer as it does not sit at the bottom of the plastic battery box, but apart from that i am sure it will do the job!

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Make sure you have a clamping arrangement!
paulh4

And remember to check the battery is fully charged before fitting.

You might need new battery post clamps depending on what you have now.

I'd also take the opportunity to clean, or replace as required, any electric leads and connectors, and fixings, including earths and particularly to starter motor/solenoid. You want all to be clean, secure and protected.

A new single battery with good and clean connections could make a noticable difference to starting the car so let the ignition key back as soon as the engine catches.

Be interesting to know how much of a difference, if any(?), you get.
Nigel Atkins

Nigel, this is a new build into a heritage shell, so pretty much all new electricals.

Paul, yes clamping? Not figured that one out yet in the plastic box!! Maybe just a couple of massive tie wraps all the way through!
Colin Parkinson

Fair enough, just a lot of tapping done or to do then.
then.
Nigel Atkins

I don't hold with plastic boxes for batteries - by the time you have cut holes for the cables and proper clamps it seems pointless, especially as there is no need for them anyway. In the unused 6v hole as a cubby when you have converted to single 12v is fine.

Clamping must be done. Roger Parker from his motorway patrol days described how someone was burnt alive in an MGB while concious, the fire started by unsecured batteries after an accident.
paulh4

Twin 12V in //. Does it make sense?

Pierre
P.Y.A. De Rouck

Pierre,
no. :)
Nigel Atkins

Ditto.
paulh4

This thread was discussed between 15/10/2019 and 22/10/2019

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