Any precautions when replacing battery?

[Trippy]

My 1999 D2 V8 wouldn't start yesterday (turn over slightly but no go) so I had to jump start it. It has been sitting for five days and I have done mostly short trips around town but I am guessing the battery needs to be replaced.

Are there any precautions I need to consider when replacing the battery? Will it stuff up the alarm or anything when disconnecting the battery?

Also, I checked the Century website and it seems I have to get a "heavy equipment"-battery (86ZMF (http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/search/index.php/models/ID-1020))and not just a normal 4WD battery (http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/index.php/product-range/4wd). Is that correct? The 86ZMF is pretty expensive compared to a normal battery.

[Andrew D]

The radio will most likely need the security code.

The batteries are normally around $180 - $200. They are a decent size battery.

Regards
Andrew

Edit: (Actually last one cost me $224 on the 25 June 2012)

[V8Johnno]

take the negative terminal off first then the positive..........when replacing put the negative on last.......
Get your battery from
CAT erpillar........biggest best cheapest batteries

cheers

[s7000]

take the negative terminal off first then the positive..........when replacing put the negative on last.......
Get your battery from
CAT erpillar........biggest best cheapest batteries

cheers


100%

I did mine myself, and it was so easy!
it's the P/N 115-2422 1000CCA

I don't have a factory radio, so, didn't need codes... But you'll lose all your pre-sets. Haha

[iPom]

Check the crimps on the +ve and -ve leads....mine had corroded through. Replaced with new crimps and I also put new terminals on so I could add extra connections eg. dual battery, spot lights, winch etc etc...

[robbotd5]

I thought the TD5 required the 86ZMF, not the V8 but I'll stand corrected.
Regards
Robbo

[disco2_dan]

Don't touch a spanner across the positive and negative terminals!! Especially when the engine is running!!!!!!!!

[GTSF]

Another Disco owner gave me this tip last weekend.

He has a cigarette lighter plug with clamps on the end of each of the wires. He attaches these clamps to an alternate battery, inserts the plug - and therefore provides power to the car whilst the main battery is disconnected and replaced - with no loss of codes.

I haven't seen him do this, or tried it, so don't really know if it works - or if ignition needs to be in the on position for example.

I'll try it when I need to though.

Cheers, Lloyd

[Trippy]

Well I have had no luck in finding a battery here in Yeppoon. I went to Supercheapauto and they don't have the 86ZMF in stock but can order one in for...

...wait for it...

$468!!

I have seen prices online for about $250 so that is definitely a no. I checked Repco and they checked their computer which said I can get the NS70X (http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/search/index.php/batteries/ID-33)which only has a CCA of 670 A. Will this be enough? I am confused about the recommended specs for a battery for the D2 V8. I checked RAVE and couldn't find any specs.

I will call Hastings Deering tomorrow and ask if they stock the 115-2422 (https://commerce.cat.com/en/catcorp/premium-high-output/115-2422) 1000CCA. Hopefully it will be cheaper than $468.

[OffTrack]

Have you had had a look at the Supercharge batteries?

They list 3 alternatives for the D2 with their "best" one being the SuperCharge Gold MF31-931.

http://www.supercharge.com.au/product_detail.php'seq=59&return_url=/battery_search.php

[iPom]

I have the Supercharge MF31 as Paul has pointed out...no dramas as of yet and I think it came with an excellent warranty...I will have to check. Heaps of grunt (CCA)...

[s7000]

Well I have had no luck in finding a battery here in Yeppoon. I went to Supercheapauto and they don't have the 86ZMF in stock but can order one in for...

...wait for it...

$468!!

I have seen prices online for about $250 so that is definitely a no. I checked Repco and they checked their computer which said I can get the NS70X (http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/search/index.php/batteries/ID-33)which only has a CCA of 670 A. Will this be enough? I am confused about the recommended specs for a battery for the D2 V8. I checked RAVE and couldn't find any specs.

I will call Hastings Deering tomorrow and ask if they stock the 115-2422 (https://commerce.cat.com/en/catcorp/premium-high-output/115-2422) 1000CCA. Hopefully it will be cheaper than $468.

It'll be about $240ish...

I found most batteries of the same capacity over priced.

[Trippy]

Have you had had a look at the Supercharge batteries?

They list 3 alternatives for the D2 with their "best" one being the SuperCharge Gold MF31-931.

Supercharge Batteries - Car Batteries, Maintenance, Expanded Grid Technology (http://www.supercharge.com.au/product_detail.php'seq=59&return_url=/battery_search.php)
Yes, I did actually look at the Supercharge batteries but couldn't find a shop that stocks them. I just checked again though and there is a Supercharge office/warehouse (?) in Rockhampton. I will call them as well as Hastings Deering tomorrow.

Which would be better? Supercharge or CAT?

EDIT: I just checked the battery that is in the truck now and it is a Supercharge N70ZZ (http://www.supercharge.com.au/product_detail.php'seq=12) with a CCA of 660 A. Looking at the available dates-stickers on the battery it is between 4 and 6 years old though so it seems to have been doing allright.

[Trippy]

I have the Supercharge MF31 as Paul has pointed out...no dramas as of yet and I think it came with an excellent warranty...I will have to check. Heaps of grunt (CCA)...

I just checked and all three have 12 months warranty, which is probably the minimum legal limit.

[Trippy]

It'll be about $240ish...

I found most batteries of the same capacity over priced.

Did you buy yours from Hastings Deering?

[s7000]

Did you buy yours from Hastings Deering?


Nope. From Sydney.

Called up, was told it was in stock, picked it up that afternoon.

Pricing should be the same...

[schuy1]

If its not a cat its a dog!! If I had the choice its CAT all the way!!

Cheers Scott

[Trippy]

Hastings Deering in Rocky has the CAT 115-2422 1000CCA in stock and it costs $235. Seems like an awesome deal compared to Supercheap. Will pick it up this afternoon.

[worane]

Good choice Trippy. Cat batteries have been the market leader, OMHO for the last fifty years or so.

[Trippy]

The new 1000 CCA Caterpillar battery is now in. It was a very tight fit though. There is a little 'thing' in the way (see photo below) but I managed to squeeze it in. Hopefully the little 'thing' will stay put and not get pushed off by the battery.
59840
59842

The starter motor sounds like it is on speed when with the new battery. Maybe it was struggling with the old 660 CCA battery.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Trippy]

When replacing the battery I polished up the terminals with a wire brush and when it was all connected I sprayed the terminals with some Permatex Battery Protector & Sealer (http://www.permatex.com.au/_products/Automotive/specialized+maintenance+++repair/electrical+system+maintenance/Permatex+Battery+Protector+++Sealer-1408.aspx). It is like a spray on purple paint that prevents corrosion. It didn't seem to dry much in the first hour or so, so I will wait until tomorrow before I do the second recommended spray. Does anyone know if this stuff sets/dries? Before I replaced the battery the terminals had some blue stuff that looked pretty good and that was all dry like a blue paint.

[schuy1]

pretty much the same stuff. It will dry over time though. Is a good plan as it keeps moisture out , so slows corrosion down

[Trippy]

I don't think this stuff will dry out. It's been a couple of days now and still wet. A bit like greasy purple paint.

[OffTrack]

I don't think this stuff will dry out. It's been a couple of days now and still wet. A bit like greasy purple paint.

It used the same stuff on mine. It doesn't seem to dry out even after months.

What is the warranty period on the CAT battery btw?

[Trippy]

It used the same stuff on mine. It doesn't seem to dry out even after months.

What is the warranty period on the CAT battery btw?
Hmm, I assumed that it was only 12 months warranty but I have been looking everywhere on the tax invoice now and cannot find any specified warranty period. I will contact them and ask them.

In this (http://australia.cat.com/cda/files/3188361/7/PEGP7801-06%20Cat%20Battery%20Specs.pdf)document it says (relating to Cold Cranking Amps):

There is no warranty level or battery life expectancy expressed or implied by
these ratings.

Not sure if that means there is no warranty at all...

[Willis]

Hey Trippy did the 1000 CCA Caterpillar battery just sit straight in the battery box or did you have to do a bit of modifying?

Thanks

Willis

[s7000]

Hey Trippy did the 1000 CCA Caterpillar battery just sit straight in the battery box or did you have to do a bit of modifying?

Thanks

Willis

It's a tight squeeze, but they drop right in.

[Trippy]

Yes, I didn't have to cut anything but the battery is a bit too large so it was a bit of a struggle. It also doesn't have any fold out handles, just some notches on the sides, so I had to climb up and stand on the bull bar to wiggle it in. The relay in my photos above made it tricky too and I hope it will not snap of from rubbing.

Once in though the battery is fine. The battery cover closes fine. I think the length of this battery is 3cm too long.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[OffTrack]

Yes, I didn't have to cut anything but the battery is a bit too large so it was a bit of a struggle. It also doesn't have any fold out handles, just some notches on the sides, so I had to climb up and stand on the bull bar to wiggle it in. The relay in my photos above made it tricky too and I hope it will not snap of from rubbing.

Once in though the battery is fine. The battery cover closes fine. I think the length of this battery is 3cm too long.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

A 330mm long battery (MF31) will fit just fine providing you don't have relays and other crap bolted into the sides of the box. I'm running an e-nex starter/deep cycle ( Battery: E-NEX DC31MF, E-ENEX Dual Purpose Batteries, DC31MF (http://www.everybattery.com.au/proddetail.php?prod=DC31MF) ) which is same dimensions and it fits without any issues.

[elshano]

That everybattery site is great OffTrack, thanks.

On topic, if I need to pick a battery for my ArkPak to run a fridge and a few lights while camping, what should I look at that will also be able to start the car if needed?

This beast from earlier in the thread https://commerce.cat.com/en/catcorp/premium-high-output/115-2422 will definitely be able to start the car and at 90a/h it's no slouch in capacity either.
The E-nex battery above is cheaper again while still holding 90a/h, no mention of CCA though.

Trying to learn as much as I can - the Optima yellow top is currently on sale for $339 with free shipping Aus-wide and seems to be a popular choice, but from the stats the other batteries are superior (albeit bigger)

[OffTrack]

The E-nex battery above is cheaper again while still holding 90a/h, no mention of CCA though.

The E-nex DC31MF is 800CCA, 100a/h at C20, RC180, and 26kg. It's a starter/deep cycle so the design is trading off CCA for a/h @ C20 and RC.

Mine was installed 12 months ago in a couple of weeks and has been flawless so far.

cheers
Paul

[elshano]

100A/h is pretty good though and 800CCA should start the V8 if needed.
Thanks for the info mate! Might compare that to the CAT and see where we are at