R33 S2 Drop In Battery Replacement Here

[Torques]

Here are my findings regarding a drop in replacement for the R33 S2 (GTST)

(It took me some hours of research ...)

I was unable to retrieve the technical data of the standard battery which sits in the rear, however judging from the size it should be around 35AH (that's Ampere Hours) and probably 260A cranking current.

The much stated Micra battery would need new clamps since the poles are thicker compared to the standard once.

I found out that the battery of the Honda Jazz (1.4D) (from 2002 onwards) fits in and provides about 15%+ more capacity since it is somewhat higher compared to the original one.

Depending on the manufacturer of the battery, the Jazz battery is about .7KG

heavier compared to the original. (Banner->10KG)

If you have big Audio Amps in your car or you need improved reliability in Winter I would go for a bigger battery (which does fit in as well but needs new clamps fitted to the cables)

I went for the Banner Brand (maybe unknown in OZ?) which is pretty good (made in Austria, supplier to BMW)

The battery is maintenance-free and cost me around 60quid here in London.

When fitting the new battery please start with connecting and tightening the POSITIVE POLE, this way you avoid

short-cutting the thing with the wrench (against the chassis).

I hope this is useful to anybody looking for a new and somewhat better battery

If you have questions, just ask ... here are the pictures:

New vs. old

New vs. old

New vs. old

Battery bay

Tight fit (please shift the battery as much as possible to the left so there is no stress on the GND-Cable (Yellow/Black)

Honda Jazz Model

Battery Technical data

For example from Halfords (UK) (less capacity an 2KG compared to Banner)

[boiracer]

im not sure on the exact dimensions of my battery (pretty sure its a 260cca), but it doesnt sit far below the speaker in the shelf. how much room do you have between speaker and battery?

[Torques]

im not sure on the exact dimensions of my battery (pretty sure its a 260cca), but it doesnt sit far below the speaker in the shelf. how much room do you have between speaker and battery?

Hi!

Well the clearance depends on the speakers.

I have installed different speakers compared to the original ones and there is about 2cm clearance.

You can get the hight of the replacement battery from the specs I posted. (22.6cm)

Edited December 7, 2010 by Torques

[frogstarc]

Hi!

Well the clearance depends on the speakers.

I have installed different speakers compared to the original ones and there is about 2cm clearance.

You can get the hight of the replacement battery from the specs I posted. (22.6cm)

My current set up has the negative terminal only about 1 cm from the rear speaker. I'm no expert but that strikes me as a little too close, and makes disconnecting the battery a pain. I'm wondering whether I should get a sealed (dry cell?) battery so I can lay it on its side and be done with it, or just look for a shorter wet cell version. Suggestions welcome.

[Torques]

The battery I installed is sealed but not dry.

It's a maintenance free battery ..

I am unsure about the mounting positions of these sealed units but I suspect 'the only way is up'

There are also 'gel' type batteries, but they are very pricey.

You can search by battery dimensions on most battery manufacturer sites.

Cheers,

Andrew

My current set up has the negative terminal only about 1 cm from the rear speaker. I'm no expert but that strikes me as a little too close, and makes disconnecting the battery a pain. I'm wondering whether I should get a sealed (dry cell?) battery so I can lay it on its side and be done with it, or just look for a shorter wet cell version. Suggestions welcome.

[t_revz]

what about spacers below the speakers? i run 6 splits in a custom box across the parcel shelf allowing me to fit a 1000CCA CAT battery on the factory enclosure with minor mods