Replacement Battery

[Chris da Silva]

The battery of my Cappo is on its last legs; and I need a replacement. Is this the same battery that's fitted to an Ignis?

[Ian Linden]

Coincidentally, I've just had to replace mine. The correct battery is the 054, assuming you use the same battery classification system as in the UK.

The VARTA Product Code is A14 - see https://www.tayna.co.uk/Varta-Blue-Dynamic-Car-Batteries?msclkid=27c67b82b83d1bd792611f69b235144a for details.

I don't know what engine(s) are fitted in the Ignis in Oz, so I couldn't say. I can say that the 1.2 litre Ignis in UK does not use the 054.

[Chris da Silva]

Hello Ian. Thanks for the battery info.

The next step is to see whether I can locate a Varta battery here in Perth which I'll look into this week.

[Ian Linden]

Chris,

It doesn't need to be a Varta, as long as its a 054. In UK, all batteries are classified in the same scheme, so you get the right size, terminals and capacity. So if you can't find a Varta, just get one which matches the data given for the A14. The capacity may be a little different - that's fine as long as it's reasonably close.

Btw, the terminals on the Cappo battery are smaller diameter than that used in most cars - I believe this is common with small Japanese cars. The 054 is used by a number of small Japanese vans, so it should be easy to find one.

[Chris da Silva]

Hi Ian. That makes sense!

There are small vans and pickup trucks made by Suzuki and Honda; and these are sold in the UK and Australia. So there should be direct replacements for the Varta batteries if they're using the same spec batteries.

I'll check it out this (Monday) morning and see what I can find.

[Murray Betts]

As above, I regularly use Tayna as a battery supplier here in the UK. First class service in my experience.

I like the Yuasa 5000 series batteries as a general day to day item, they seem to hit a nice balance of quality and cost.

In my Capp I did fit a battery one time (many years ago) which had the terminals the other way round (+/- swapped places, can't remember the code for this). I seem to remember at the time I couldn't get the correct one, it was long before the internet came to our rescue on such things.Physically it was the same size, the only difference was the +/- placement. The cables easily swapped round, and in some regards it was nicer in that the + cable no longer sat next to the turbo, but you do have to check carefully the clearances to bonnet etc.
The battery I have on it now is the original arrangement and it would definitely be the recommended fitment.

[Brad Austin]

I used a 151r battery from interstate. Just had to change the terminals and it fits just fine.

[Chris da Silva]

Hi guys! Yeh, I finally managed to get a direct replacement battery for the Cappo after a bit of research! It's from a specialist supplier here in Perth; and they delivered and swapped it around it while my car was parked outside my home. How good is that?

And the satisfying part is that it's just a 1-to-1 direct swap and I didn't have to change the terminals, which is great!

Now I know who to contact when I need a new battery for my other two kei cars.

Kei cars were never sold here in Australia which is why getting even a simple item like a new battery is so difficult! All the kei cars which are already here were private imports brought in by collectors and enthusiasts.