Cruisecontrol Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 I've reached the point where the cab battery on my Fiat 130 Autotrail Cheyenne 2008 needs replacing. Despite re-charging it quickly falls to 10.9v and subsequently will not start the engine. The replacement will be done by Caravan Solutions (near Romsey, an excellent company). They will probably use an Exide version, but we both are unsure whether the radio code will be lost (is it applicable?) or any other precautions needed in terms of data lost etc. If anyone has ever used an Exide battery - details of the specific model, such as Ah, crank power etc. I'd be grateful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 When I changed the Battery on my Renault and knowing it does loose the code I used my booster battery with 1 wire to the pos and 1 to Earth. Worked a treat, and I now do this in all my vehicles when changing a battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 If you have the original radio supplied by Fiat, you will not lose the code by changing the battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisecontrol Posted December 21, 2016 Author Share Posted December 21, 2016 Thanks for responses. I've considered the option of hooking up a second battery in order to retain the radio code but with the battery terminals located in relatively confined space and working with metal clamps I'm somewhat nervous of unwanted sparks! I'll do it though as a last resort Not sure if it is a Fiat radio - I think Autotrail fit their own version as part of the van's media pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Gerry The dimensions of the starter-battery currently fitted to your Auto-Trail are likely to be 353mm(length) x 190mm (height) x 175mm (width). So, if Caravan Solutions are choosing to install an Exide starter-battery, it will probably be one of these https://www.tayna.co.uk/EA1000-Exide-Premium-Car-Battery-017TE-P7488.html I can’t comment on the merits of the Exide battery, but expert advice provided on this forum suggests that this Varta product would be preferable https://www.tayna.co.uk/Type-019-Varta-Silver-Dynamic-Car-Battery-P3127.html As you’ve touched on, it should be practicable (with care) to continue to provide power to the vehicle’s cab electrical equipment during the battery removal/replacement period, thus side-stepping the risk of a radio-code being lost. This was discussed here http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Fiat-vehicle-battery-access/45861/#M515234 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandncaravan Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Derek is right the Varta Silver Dynamic Starter battery 019 is one of the best. However, if your Motorhome is left idle for any length of time so that the Starter battery discharges a bit more than ideal, the Varta LFD90 dual purpose Starter/Leisure battery will tolerate that type of usage better. It is a tougher Starter battery that will handle accidental deeper discharges with less loss of life . Although it's a dual purpose battery, it is still rated at 1,000 amps Starting power (800 CCA), higher power than many 'dedicated' Starter batteries. Only 30amps CCA less than the outstanding Varta Silver Dynamic Starter (830CCA) battery 019. Both are the same physical size. It is also cheaper at £79, from the same supplier that Derek indicates. For most Motorhome owners with a permanent drain on the Starter battery, like Alarm, Tracker, Radio, etc the LFD 90 is probably the better option because so many run down to lower than ideal voltages when not used for weeks at a time. Obviously, discharging deeper than ideal will shorten any batteries life, so should be avoided, where possible . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brambles Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 The Exide premium batteries are very good batteries and you should have no reservations about fitting one. Varta or Exide....toss a coin as not really that much difference, however one very important factor is the Exide whilst being maintenance sealed can actually have its top removed and be topped up later in life. The Varta has a heat sealed top and its not possible to top it up to extend its life as it gets older or when used in very high ambient temperatures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Derek Uzzell - 2016-12-21 6:13 PM Gerry The dimensions of the starter-battery currently fitted to your Auto-Trail are likely to be 353mm(length) x 190mm (height) x 175mm (width). So, if Caravan Solutions are choosing to install an Exide starter-battery, it will probably be one of these https://www.tayna.co.uk/EA1000-Exide-Premium-Car-Battery-017TE-P7488.html I can’t comment on the merits of the Exide battery, but expert advice provided on this forum suggests that this Varta product would be preferable https://www.tayna.co.uk/Type-019-Varta-Silver-Dynamic-Car-Battery-P3127.html As you’ve touched on, it should be practicable (with care) to continue to provide power to the vehicle’s cab electrical equipment during the battery removal/replacement period, thus side-stepping the risk of a radio-code being lost. This was discussed here http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Fiat-vehicle-battery-access/45861/#M515234 I may be having a senior moment, but aren't the terminals the wrong side on those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisecontrol Posted December 22, 2016 Author Share Posted December 22, 2016 Really helpful responses from the well known guys on this site. Much appreciated. Gerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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