What Batteries do people use in their 67 Elan S3 in the US?

PostPost by: Allison » Thu Feb 09, 2012 9:29 pm

I would recommend an Optima battery. They are made I believe in Mexico for an American company. They cost about 3 or 4 times the cost of a standard battery but they are completely leakproof and you can (figuratively) turn them upside down and inside out and they still work. (UK prices were about ?135 - they've gone up in the past 3 years since we bought ours! - when a standard battery was ?35/?40). They have more capacity than a standard battery. When we had our Elan on its roof in Patagonia - for about 25 minutes or so, not a drop of acid leaked out so we put it back on its wheels and drove off - see www.rallyelan.com for the pictures!

As for fixing I have two long threaded bars rising vertically from the threaded bobbins with a horizontal bar, wound with tape, going over the top and screwed down tight.

There is or was a UK distributor in Carbroke near Watton, Norfolk and another I believe in Grimsby.
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PostPost by: Keith Scarfe » Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:33 am

Do these Gel type batteries cope better with being left for long periods of time without being used (i.e. over winter). Ive gust checked mine recently and it is dead and wont charge so I guess I need to replace it. (I know its my fault I should keep it charged up). I may spend the extra and get one of these they look good. I am just worried that if it is left it will just die like a normal lead acid type. Any experience on this out there?
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PostPost by: StressCraxx » Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:23 pm

Keith Scarfe wrote:Do these Gel type batteries cope better with being left for long periods of time without being used (i.e. over winter). Ive gust checked mine recently and it is dead and wont charge so I guess I need to replace it. (I know its my fault I should keep it charged up). I may spend the extra and get one of these they look good. I am just worried that if it is left it will just die like a normal lead acid type. Any experience on this out there?


The AGM batteries such as Odyssey hold their charge really well in storage. The one in my FF was not used for 8 months last year and still had 95% charge. I used it to crank the engine to build oil pressure before starting and it did just fine.
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PostPost by: tvacc » Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:12 pm

From what I have read about the Lithum batteries, they just are not really there yet. They do not have a lot of lasting power on cranking.
I use a Odyssey 925 in my Elan, mounted on its side. Fits great. I had to make up a clamp to hold it down. I also use the 925 in my elise and I use the 625 ( a apair of them laid flat ) in my Caterham and I also use a 925 in my Kubota tractor. They store fantastic. If you unhook in the fall, it will still have its charge in the spring. The like the cold.

I did not have any luck with the Optima line. Replaced two of them before I found Odyssey.


jk952 wrote:While the subject of batteries, although maybe a mod??, but has anyone used the light weight lithium type batteries? Not that much more expensive than a good battery.
jk
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PostPost by: tvacc » Fri Feb 10, 2012 6:51 pm

I forgot to put this in.

I get mine from
Quality Power
31510 Yucaipa Blvd.
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 794-1600

No connection to these guys other than a satisfied customer. they ship them USPS Priority. Even with me being in Buffalo NY, I get mine usually the next day. Tell them I sent you for no other reason than the more Lotus people we have do business with them, maybe we get better pricing.

Edit....to find the specs on the Odyssey line go to http://www.odysseyfactory.com/battspecs.html
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PostPost by: dlbutler » Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:40 pm

I use a motorcycle battery from WestCo. They claim it tolerates vibration etc. better than other types. WPC18 is the part number.

http://estorebc.mkbattery.com/images/pr ... o_v7r8.pdf
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