New Battery

[Subsonicnat]

Hi Guys,
Thinking of changing my battery for a T1.
What Cranking amps would you recomend ,Looking at 650 is thiiis enough.??.
XSARA PICASSO 2.0 HDI 2004.
Thanks in advance.

[GiveMeABreak]

Get the best battery for your bucks - recommended minimum is 540A - 60AH. If you can get better go for it, but make sure the size, terminals and posts are suitable as they do differ.

[Subsonicnat]

tThanks for that mate,yes,Those Poles are my most concern after size.
Especially if I order online..

[van ordinaire]

Any decent site will show the terminal arrangement.

Not come accross different sizes (regardless of age or country of origin) although I do know shims are available - but always thought that was to accomodate dodgy terminals.

[GiveMeABreak]

There are significant sizes differences depending on capacity and type, a few examples below:

As the space available and terminal cable lengths are important and in the case of the Xsara Picasso where the battery is under the front passenger seat, it is important to get one that fits.

[van ordinaire]

Sorry Marc, we were at X-purposes: I though you were suggesting there were different size POSTS; obviously case sizes vary, according to capacity &, sometimes, application.

[GiveMeABreak]

For the most part the batteries over here are pretty standard - but there are different types fitted to some Japanese cars and BMWs can have a slightly different size post - but not too significant as the post clamps should fit for most European cars - although there are terminal post adapters.

[van ordinaire]

Having no direct experience of Japanese vehicles (although I think I might've had to open the bonnet of a Micra once) I had completely forgotten about about that possibility - although I'm well aware that their electrics don't follow the norm. Why BMW have to interfere with a tried & tested design I can't imagine, especially as Ford AND GM have tried doing their own thing - & given up!

[myglaren]

Do Ford not still have the flat tabs then?
My middle daughter's Fiesta had but I never noticed what the youngest daughter's two Fiestas had.

[van ordinaire]

I don't honestly know, they're something I associate with MkIII Escorts, but assumed they'd died a death as don't recall seeing them for sale -unlike adaptors to fit conventional batteries.