Allegro Club International

[Abby Bastock]

She needs a new battery and I wondered if anyone could recommend a good retailer or any hints and tips I should know about in my quest? Thanks! x

[Mike Dean]

Check the topic "Battery Types??" in the "General" forum.

Mike

[Laurence]

Hi Abby,

Some retailers ask the customer if they would like a 1 year or 3 year guarantee battery, you get the same battery but you pay the extra for the longer guarantee.

Look for a 'heavy duty' battery as it will perform a bit better than a 'standard' battery & would probably have a 3 year guarantee anyway.

Halfords sell a heavy duty battery for the Allegro & they have a fitting service, but their batteries are a bit pricey.

Having said that, some/most retailers will fit the battery for you if you ask, & they'll dispose yours for you.

Are you sure that the battery needs replacing? have you had it tested?

Have you checked the alternator output? Have you checked the battery posts & cable clamps for corrosion etc.?

Are the battery earth & engine earth cables OK & making good connections the the car body?

[Colin T]

I'm not sure that a 'fitting service' is really needed for an Allegro - 2 spanners, 2 minutes! Couldn't be easier.
_________________
Hell has frozen over...... the car formally known as 'Heap' is back on the road!

[Laurence]

Yeah I know that Colin, but if you had well manicured nails/extensions I bet you couldn't do it under five minutes without breaking/splitting a nail or two!

[Abby Bastock]

I ordered a battery earlier today so I'll see how it goes..... its not a heavy duty one but its got a four year warranty so I'll get it sorted on the weekend and see what happens....

I haven't checked anything else because I had to get the guy who fitted the gearbox to start her off his car when she went in to have it done and he said battery so I took his word for it. hopefully its that other wise I've got a whole checklist above to get on to!!

THanks everyone

[Laurence]

Hi Abby,

When you disconnect the battery, undo the negative cable first as this isolates the battery from the car.

I you were to undo the positive cable first, the spanner could inadvertantly touch both the positive cable connector & the battery retaining clamp simultaneously The spanner could melt & you could receive burns.

When re-connecting the battery, connect the negative cable last.

[Graham]

Hi Abby,
I usually get my batteries from a local chap but I was given this site site to look at...
http://www.tayna.co.uk/038-Numax-Car-Battery-P982.html

I felt it was a bit pricey once delivery was added, and only a 3 year guarantee. I can't remember what I paid last time though!

Out of interest, how much did you pay and where from please? 4 year warranty is good!

Cheers,
Graham

[Abby Bastock]

It actually is called a 'Cheap Car Battery' on alpha-batteries.co.uk, (somewhere in Rotherham I think so I'm expecting a delay on delivery due to snow) t'was £42.99 inc next day delivery if ordered before 3pm. I figured it might be cheap but it has a warranty and I know my Sales of Goods Act ) (and distance selling regs)

I'm rather impressed by the fitting advice - I haven't ever fitted a new battery and was planning on ringing Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad?? but I'm feeling confident I can do it now - Thanks