Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Thought I might try to fit the battery I have with the origional hold down clamps, as it is currently held in place by a rather unsilghtly battery bar clamp arrangement . However I cannot for the life of me suss out how to secure the battery with them! Do they just press against the side of the battery or are they meant to clamp onto the battery "feet". The one nearest the reat of the car will do this but the other is nowhere near. Does not look safe or secure to me

Also what is the right size/type of battery as the one I have sticks out over the fibre glass lip and covers the spare wheel board.

cheers
Mark

My S4 has clamps that hold on the two 'feet' at either end of the battery.
The correct size is 038, but a worthwhile upgrade is to an 015. This is a similar size and fits the existing clamps (may be a bit taller overall?), but has a higher capacity.
It shouldn't overhang the spare wheel

Matthew

Matthew,
Thanks for the reply.

Couple of things, the feet on my battery are about 10mm thick, yet the rear clamp "lip" is at least another 5 to 10mm above this. Secondly, not sure what you mean by a type 038 and 015.

cheers
Mark

Mark,

Sounds like you've the same situation that I inherited, with the rear clamp. Presumably the PO changed to a different battery..... hence the gap with the rear clamp.

My PO simply made up a suitably shaped wood packer. Works fine.

Regards,

Stuart.

Mark,

You have definitely got the wrong battery! Mine has about 25-30mm from the base to the top of the feet, which fits the clamps perfectly.

Here is an extract from a Powermax Batteries catalogue:

Part No. CCA(EN) L x W x H (mm) Approx Weight (kg)
015 320 238 x 133 x 205 11.5
038 265 238 x 135 x 205 10.5

The Part No. corresponds to the size, and is common to all battery manufacturers.

I ended up going to Halfords for convenience! The first battery I had from there was an 038 (original 'lightweight' spec) which lasted for 5 or 6 years. I then looked into it a bit more and found that the 015 is heavier and has higher capacity - just the thing for those winter morninig starts! It is a standard Mini (I mean the proper old one) & Morris Minor one and was about ?45. I'm sure you could shop around and do better on price, but the Halfords ones do the job and have a 3 year warranty.

My +2 had an 'oversize' one fitted when I bought it, with bits of wood to pack it up. I have now installed the correct one (also an 015) and it fits nice & snugly. Much better!

Send me your e-mail address if you'd like some photos of the installed battery....

Best wishes,
Matthew

I need to solve the same problem, but on the other side of the pond. The PO had abandoned the clamps (battery strapped in) and the battery has a very thin "foot" to clamp on. Can the original style clamps still be sourced? If not, would someone be good enough to post a photo, so I can make some up? What battery is recommended here?
Thanks. Stuart

I have an S2 with the battery behind the passenger. I also had to get a bigger (taller) battery and simply extend my clamps (which attached to the top front of the battery) with jubilee clips. Not an elegant solution, but effective and it made it past the MOT examiner.
Matt

Stuart72Sprint wrote:I need to solve the same problem, but on the other side of the pond. The PO had abandoned the clamps (battery strapped in) and the battery has a very thin "foot" to clamp on. Can the original style clamps still be sourced? Stuart

I bought a new clamp from Paul Matty's only last year. I believe they'll ship anywhere.
Hope this helps
Tony