Xantia - sluggish turnover.

IanR · Post by **IanR** » 26 Oct 2002, 19:46

Xantia 18 16v petrol - Halfords HB065 battery. (495A starting, 90m@25amps)
Even in summer, cranking is rather sluggish. As the weather gets colder, it's getting to sound like turning a Model-T over on the hand-crank. Still fire-up OK, but I'm doubting if it will in mid-winter.
I was wondering if this car will take a heavier-duty battery? I know that the BX, which uses a similar starter, was very demanding on battery performance. With the standard battery it struggled, but with a diesel-application battery if fairly whizzed.
I might have a look at the starter brushes while I'm at it, but I think it's just this battery that's not man enough for the job. Any
opinions?

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 26 Oct 2002, 20:27

Steer clear of any components for your car with that name on it, you can be sure that anything bearing it will be nothing like the best.
Do the usual check's, you should have about 13 to 14 volt's with the engine running, make sure all heavy current connections are sound.
If all is ok go to your local GSF and get a Bosch Silver with a 3 year warranty, a 60 amp one will cost about 39 quid + vat, bang up to date battery technology of the highest order.
Dave

IanR · Post by **IanR** » 26 Oct 2002, 21:37

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Steer clear of any components for your car with that name on it, you can be sure that anything bearing it will be nothing like the best.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
I'll tell them you said that <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Actually, I think the Halfords batts are Yuasa, so they should be OK quality-wise. They're unbelievably dear though. I don't know how they can get away with such prices. The H/D equivalent from GSF or Lucas is 2/3 Halfords' price, even after VAT. (I wouldn't buy one there, previous owner did!)
It's charging OK, seems healthy enough. It IS only a standard-duty type, though, and while these are fine on traditional starters IMLI they don't cope too well with the demands of the permanent-magnet type.
Don't have a GSF in this area, unfortunately, so I think in this case I'll buy from the Lucas dealers. I don't suppose sending a battery is very practical -is it?
Might investigate whether halfords will exchange under warranty first, anyway, as it's really not fit for purpose. Worth a try.

SHEMAR · Post by **SHEMAR** » 27 Oct 2002, 11:15

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Xantia 18 16v petrol - Halfords HB065 battery. (495A starting, 90m@25amps)
Even in summer, cranking is rather sluggish. As the weather gets colder, it's getting to sound like turning a Model-T over on the hand-crank. Still fire-up OK, but I'm doubting if it will in mid-winter.
I was wondering if this car will take a heavier-duty battery? I know that the BX, which uses a similar starter, was very demanding on battery performance. With the standard battery it struggled, but with a diesel-application battery if fairly whizzed.
I might have a look at the starter brushes while I'm at it, but I think it's just this battery that's not man enough for the job. Any
opinions?

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>