The first time I popped my boot-trunk and saw the battery I couldn't believe how bloody big it was - it looked like it would crank a Shermann tank.

My 4 litre Falcon makes do with one half the size and cranks over fine.

I was lucky that my car had a new (generic) battery shortly before I took over, but the previous owner said the genuine correct battery is about NZD$800, compared to $180 for my Ford or Subaru..

I don't skimp on the right parts (a genuine Jag thermostat just cost me $130 last week, and $1000 for genuine heater/engine hoses), but I wondered if we could get away with a 'standard' battery..

 

Well it doesn't have to be the dealer supplied battery. But the correct size battery would be highly recommended. Those accessories take a *lot* of current.

How much is a group 49 battery?

 

I bought a new battery from my local auto factors and it is smaller than the original.

Everything has been fine so far and it came with a 3 yr warranty

 

AL,

I think NZ uses the same numbering system as us.

I have a DIN88 in both the X300 and the S Type. Also known as an N88, and about $195 here.

That DIN88 is the correct spec battery for both cars.

 

i use a ford battery of 1000ca or nearly. not sure what the jag requirement is.

 

Where physical size of a battery overlaps with "electrical" size might make a good discussion.

Cold cranking amps and reserve capacity are the two common measurements of "electrical" size. Seems to me that you can get the same electrical specifications in a wide variety of physical sizes....which makes one wonder why (in this example) Jaguar would choose to "go big" when they could've just as easily "gone small".

So, presumably there's some sort of advantage to a larger physical size. Size, number, and spacing of the plates, perhaps? Something along those lines?

Some sort of durability/construction considerations?

I dunno.

Cheers
DD

 

All of the above

CCA when related to reserve capacity tells a story.

A battery can have great CCA, less reserve and paper thin plates.

One easy example is to compare a Group 49 against a Group 94. Exact same dimensions and often quoted as interchangable. Then check the electrical specs and weight. Heavy is always better for the same size battery ... more lead.

@AL NZ

Whatever you decide to do, remember that the battery must have remote venting capabilities.

 

A lot of batteries now use calcium instead of lead, that may account for the difference in size.

The one I bought is a calcium one.

 

Anybody tried the lithium car batteries? So light and claim good performance and cycles.

 

I would go with the battery size/group as specified by Jag. I just put an new battery in my XJ6. A Die Hard Interstate for $134 CDN.

 

The question was ..... can you skimp on the BIG X300 battery.?
The answer is ..... Of course you can. You can stick a couple of AA batteries in there if you like. The difference is, if you want your car to start when the lights, wipers etc have been on for a few hours while driving home and you park up to get yourself a cup of coffee, you are more likely to get her started again if you are using the correct spec battery.
Think of it this way. If the car fails to start, how much is a hotel room + garage + a tow home? If it all costs more than the extra cost of a proper battery - just once - then it was worth it.

 

... I think I'd need 8 AAs to get my 12 Volts..
or maybe 9 to get 13.5V

 

I totally agree with Stevie on this one. I have 45 Ah tiny battery in my wife's Honda CR-V and I've always had problems with it. I replaced it twice Already in past 5 years. Therefore i bought 120 Ah huge battery for the BMW 325 i owned 7 years ago and i know the guy who owes it now - he has the SAME battery.

 

I couldn't agree with Stevie more. I didn't skimp, I paid the 140$ something and got the right size. its not only about the power either, the battery being placed in the trunk actually spreads the wait and increases the vehicles ability to hug those curves. Granted the increase in handling is slight, but its still there!

 

Like the others have said I wouldn't try to get by with less when it comes to the battery. I've read much on this forum where the battery's capacity is key to energizing the many components in the X300, and Jags in general.

I bought an Interstate MTP-93 last summer and have had no battery related problems. It costs around $150.

 

Aren't lithium based batteries notorious for easily catching fire (flammable electrolyte)?

 

My parents have no drain attached to their battery. I only noticed this the other day. They've been using it without issue for years. There is an attachment at both ends of the battery, the oval fitting with hole in the centre, only both the holes are blanked off by plastic, so the hose fitting cannot be attached. I'm assuming the user is supposed to pierce one of these at the desired end of the battery.

Should I try to pierce the plastic and attach a hose? This probably sounds super ignorant, but I've never replaced a battery - my car still has the one it came with, with the original hose in place.

 

Some battery's are sealed type and don't need a vent some do

The reason I wouldn't skimp on the battery size in the XJ is its in the boot long way from the starter motor if the battery does not have a enough cranking amps it will struggle but if the battery is even further away its only going to get harder

I have a brand new 1500 cca odyssey battery sitting in the cupboard bought if for my Capri project 4 months ago but we are now going to put the battery in the boot so the big odyssey battery wont fit have to buy a reduction drive starter as well

If it had recessed terminals I would put it in my XJR

 

I used to use the Sears Die Hard international battery but that does not seem to be available.

Have now switched to the Interstate MTP 93 with no complaints. Even if the car sits for two weeks.

bliving7

 

So OP, did you buy one yet? I'm trying to decide myself.

I think NZD$800 is excessive. My X300 has a 'big' battery - Century DIN85ZLMF. It's $350 from supercheap auto:

Century Car Battery - DIN85ZLMF - Supercheap Auto New Zealand

That's still a bit more than I'd like to pay right now.

My dad's X300 has a much smaller battery. It's a Hella Endurant DIN63, even though their site recommends the DIN85 for the Jags: http://www.hellaendurant.co.nz/appli...product/151654

The previous owner skimped on their battery, and Dad just replaced it with the same spec. I wonder if they hadn't skimped, maybe dad wouldn't have had to replace it? Just speculation, as I have no idea how old the old battery was or if it was 'abused'. The replacement DIN63 has been fine for over two years...

I notice that the X300's have mounts for three sizes of battery, not only the huge ones.