hahaha!!! all those days we had no snow here in chitown.
(and i was out motoring my MCS)

 

I was wondering this myself, so I went out and measured. It appears to me the Red Top Model 35 is way too tall. The OEM battery is 4" tall, and the Optima is 7.8" tall. I don't see a way to make it fit. Even if you ditch the plastic cover on the battery compartment, it still might not clear the hood.

 

4" What group size is the Cooper battery? That is pretty darn short. The group 35 in my MCS is actually shorter than the stock battery in the middle but the terminals are a little taller.

 

I measure 7 1/2 H x 7 W x 9 1/2 L for the stock R50 cooper battery.
It's group 47 but there's something about the shape of the top and the
shape of the brace of the oem setup so that many group 47s don't fit.


Edit: I forgot the lip at the base of the battery that's about 1/4 inch more
all around, so 7 1/2 W x 10 L at the base - still 7 1/2 H alltogether.

 

I've a lot of experience with deep cycle battery systems from boating.

A deep cycle battery is NOT appropriate for the sole battery in a car. A deep cycle battery is not designed, not is its internal construction correct to provide large surge currents, or large cold cranking amps. In a boating application one will have at least one starting battery which is a conventional 'car like' high current battery and one or more 'house' batteries that provide accesory power.

A small boat like mine with only a small outboard can get away with using deep cycles to start, but the starting current is minimal and nothing like that in a car application.

There are so called hybrid batteries that are supposed to be able to do both, but I've not read good reviews of any of them.

The starter of this thread doesn't sound like he plans to play the stereo often for hours, but if anyone is they'd be best to use a charger or add a 2nd battery, a deep cycle, and wire it in to the stereo with a switch to connect the stereos power lead to it when parked and playing for a long time.

 

You're right, my bad. I was measuring relative to stepped up side of the battery case and didn't see the bottom of the battery itself. Looks like the Red Top Model 35 might work in the Cooper after all.

 

I forgot the lip at the bottom of the battery. Those measurements are for
the body of the battery, at its base it's actually about 7 1/2 W x 10. I did
iinclude this in the height - still 7 1/2 H.

 

I'm wondering if anyone has used an Optima Yellow Top? I put two amps in the car and it's killing my voltage so I need to go with a deepcycle/starting battery but it seems they are all too tall.

Any imput?

 

The Yellow Top is only going to help if you listen to the stereo without the engine running. If you loosing voltage when driving, there's another issue.

I use a Red Top group 35 and it fits in my S. Others use a 34R. I know they make the 35 in a Yellow Top, not sure about the 34R.

 

I just had a battery failure too. I don't drive the car much anymore, mostly just use it on the weekends. A couple of weeks ago I was using the stereo while I put a new swaybar in. I have a habit of using the radio while I work on the car, but I used to drive it every day so I guess that helped to keep it healthy. Anyway last Friday I stopped by my mom's house to pick up the MINI, it now lives in her garage since I don't have one, and the battery was low, too low to turn the engine over. I jumped it with my Honda & drove it for an hour, but after I turned it off it wouldn't start. I guess maybe all that time using the radio killed a cell. Anyway a division of my company sells Deka Batteries, so I ordered one at cost, $40, and well it didn't really fit. It was about 4mm too wide. Shaved off the back cleat, reworked the mounting bracket and about two hours later I finished putting in the battery . So the point is avoid Deka, they don't fit. I still saved a few dollars, but damn I was pissed. At least I can drive it again, looking forward to seeing her tonight, adios Civic! At least until Sunday night.

 

The Cooper battery had a recall out for awhile. My Cooper was subject to it, but getting an appointment to get the battery swapped out never happened when I needed to sell the car, so I ended up buying the replacement battery from the dealer. DON'T DO THIS unless you are trying to keep the car looking as OEM as possible which is why I did it.

It cost me $130 from my local MINI dealer.

Richard

 

yah, if you are going to run your stereo while the engine is off, you need
to put a charger on it. i run 2A while working on my stereo and just let it
charge until it is topped off. im still on my original battery since 2003 and
it's been fine. i charge it every 2 weeks when not in use.

im no expert on car batteries, but it seems (from my experience through
the years) if you keep some constant charge on the battery (2A), it kinda
keeps it awake and will accept drain and will not build memory. but if
you have no charge going to the battery, the memory just keep degrading
to the point it will not charge any more.

i have no scientific data, but when you discharge a regular battery
(meaning, non-deep cycle battery) you can only recharge up to 75%
next time. you keep doing that a few times and it will not charge
any more.

 

Just got the yellow top...if I works I'll post pictures.

I went with the yellow top as I have two (going to be three) amps and subs in the car. When I turn it up the volt gauge goes crazy. I thought with the deep cycle it would help stop the issue...

Again, I'll let ya all know

 

have Mini replace it. But never, ever, ever buy a replacment battery from a dealer unless there are special circumsances. You;re just paying mark-up.

I vote for Optimas as well.

Oh, and guess what, in 08 Mini will be useing the glass fabric wrapped design in batteries as well.

Matt

 

Yellow Top Optima is a drop in, and worked like a champ.

2amps running wide open didn't budge my volt meter

 

Don't don't don't buy an Optima Red Top...I have used them for years and they are fantastic....For your needs you need a Optima Yellow Top..It's a deep cycle battery that can handle a full discharge with no harm...for the MCS the Optima Red Top model is 34R...I suspect it would be the same for the Yellow top. Good Luck

 

I went battery shopping last week and discovered that Sears, even though they have a banner hanging up for the Read and Yellow-tops, are not carrying them anymore.

I was kind of irritated because I'd lugged my old Mini batery across the parking lot.

But... they DID have the new DieHard Platinum. Which has a similar construction to the new batteries they're using in the new Mini's. (Absorbed glass mat that can be operated in any orientation, etc.)

The specs for the Group 34 were quite a bit better than the Optimas and I didn't want to keep lugging the old one around, so I decided to give it a go. It was a tight fit in my 04 MCS but the original bracket worked. (They didn't have the 34R yet, but the cables fit the 34 just fine...) And it's totally sealed, so it doesn't need the vent pipe.

I'll let you all know how it works out!

-Scott

 

autozone carries optima's...

 

Well i just got myslef a new battery. 66,000k 2003 made. I looked around for batteries and the dealer was being a rip off, so iw ent with the autozone Duralast #H5-DLG/47DL fits perfect with a vent tube and everything. It was a lilttle pricy but cheaper than the dealer.

 

Opinion from one who used to sell Optama batterys. The yellow top will not stand up to the load from a starter moter for long especially in the winter. The red top can be had in a 1000cca version that fits my mini. All Optima Batteries will sit for a lot longer without loosing charge than stock Batteries. If you leave a charger on them they will not boil dry like standard types either. If the person using the sterio has problems keeping the bat voltage up on loud peaks use a biiig capaciter (1 farad per 10 amps of draw) and that will give you cleaner highs and much more base without hitting the battery so hard. I am not pushing these batterys since I am no longer in that business but have used them for years in Jeeps, Motorhomes regular cars and in my mini which has a 500 watt RF Ham tramsmitter in it. No problems, Good batteries. Now I'll jump down off the pontificating stool.

 

We have a fairly well abused Yellow Top at our shop. It looses it's charge in a few days and it starts boiling instantly when the charger is switched onto 'high.' As I said, it has been abused from being left on the charger as well as very long periods of sitting. The voltage has been well into the single digits. Still, it will hold a charge for a few days and works fine during that period. I have a Red Top in the MINI and have had no issues.

 

http://www.autozone.com/R,NONAPP2497...ductDetail.htm
^^^ is this the right size for the MINI (and cost )

 

Bump?

 

Such a shame to have to bump the thread for an answer to your own question.

I tried the link from the prior post and it came up missing. I had the dealer install their battery for fear I'd pick the wrong one or screw somethink up. Guess that means I shouldn't be helping you at all. The one I did find for my 02 MCS was under a $100. Doesn't sound so bad as MINI parts go.

 

Yes it is MotorOn........the 34R has the polarity posts on the correct sides.

Just got one at Summit Racing for $170 shipped.