Batteries - Banner has given up

[nic.day]

So after only a couple of years my Banner Battery is giving up.

the car sits in the garage on a maintenance charger. But had to leave it out last night (parking logistics) and went to start it and nothing. Had enough to light the dash up and on the stack it was reading 12v only. 

Got a bit of juice to it and once it got up to 12.5v it had enough to start. So it seems its on it way out.

So my question is, what to replace it with? Do not fancy another Banner as they don't seem to last more that a couple of years.

Thanks

[Jonathan Kay]

Private Message sent.

[SM25T]

Have you checked the liquid levels in every cell ? Fit a master switch and use it.

[K7 VCT]

Wo many folk complain about the banner battery, my first 7 banner was 8 years old when I sold car, still good condition.

Current car, banner is nearly 7 years old, again good condition.

Look after it as with any lead acid battery, that gets in frequent use

Keep levels in all cells topped up and master switched off, as above, put on a good battery conditioner, no problems.

Would buy another banner without hesitation, but as yet never had to.

 

[paul richards]

I'm with K7VCT.

3 Banner batteries in 21 years and current still going strong. Master cut off switch, battery conditioner and make sure cells topped up. 

[StevehS3]

I don't know how old my Banner is as it was on the car when I got it but it's still going strong after 3.5 years with me. I don't think we can complain about the Banner for its price but if I was changing I would prefer a non-spillable battery.

[ScottR400D]

My first banner lasted 3 years, the second is now 3 but still fine. No isolator switch but I remove from car over winter and keep on a conditioner when in use.

[revilla]

Even on an intelligent conditioner (CTEK MXS 0.5, so about the smallest you can get) mine still loses fluid over a winter and needs a top-up before getting it out in the spring. Important to check fluid levels as others have said.

[K7 VCT]

As per Revllia, my ctek is the tiny 0.5 version.

I find topping up before winter layup and in the spring suits fine, topping up around 50ml a time.

[nic.day]

I will go and check the levels - the car is stored in my garage with the FIA switch turned off and out the car, the battery is also always on a conditioner as well.

But this is my second banner in this car and the last one lasted around 3 years as well.

Thanks for the message Jonathan - great links etc

Considering a gel one now, but need to think of cage, terminals etc

[Edzup Ezzer]

Just changed my Banner for a Yuasa U1 which is an easy swap.  The Yuasa is slightly longer (ie 'wider' in the car) so doesn't fit the battery tray as it is but the solution is simple.  Rotate the battery & tray through 90 degrees, and with some minor reworking of the tray the Yuasa U1 fits easily without changing the cables.  Only just fitted the Yuasa in mine so can't comment on longevity yet but Yuasa's have a good reputation, and are readily available at competitive prices (£49) from Halfords.  You could still fit a Banner in the new orientation if need be.

[Q Catcher]

Is the car a K Series?  I tried two AGM batteries (Odyssey/Powervamp) and they each lasted only 18 months.  I suspect this was due to the K Series' cranking power issue that Revilla described so neatly in his "Demystifying the click" article.  So I went back to Banner.

[nic.day]

Thanks for that note, yes its a K series R500 

Also just spoken to Powervamp themselves - they obviously can still supply the battery but have stopped selling cages and other accessories (they were taken over 18 months ago)