As per title. I've looked about on the web at several different suppliers and getting different answers from all of their catalogues, so I don't know which is actually correct now 🙄

So far these various sites have told me it could be an 075, 096 or even a 100...

According to the owner’s manual, OE is Tungsten 088, 570 amps, 100 minutes reserve. 

Thanks Ian. I'm not sure I could rely on what's already in there for comparison either in regard to physical size or capacity. At least I know what the book says now which gives me sonething to go on.

If you can wait till tomorrow I’ll have a look and see which one I fitted.

I'm in no hurry for a battery, so if you can find out for me I'd appreciate it. The car is up in the air and will be for the next few weeks while I wait for various parts to be turned around by specialists.

Removed the old battery from the car tonight. Turns out there was a Tungstone brand battery already in there, as per the manufacturer spec, but its an 075 instead of 088, it also looks very clean, so I doubt very much that its the original one it left the factory with.

The 075 is physically smaller than the 088 in terms of height and length. I'll see if I can find an 088 battery to replace this, but if not, at least I know an 075 will also fit.

I have a 1990 Esprit Turbo SE with the battery permanently connected to a trickle charger.......... due to the permanent trickle charger connection my average battery life is only 5,5 to 6,0 years.

Since 1993 I renewed my battery > 5 times .

Every time I used the standard 62 Ah DIN type 562.19  (DIN = German Industrie Norm) which is perfectly fitting; has an excellent/sufficient starting power and is maintenance free

This DIN type you will find at all major batt. manufacturers as Exide, Varta, Bosch etc. and also B-brand batteries which are always ok, since the manufacturing of lead-calcium batteries is not based on rocket science.

I always strive for the cheapest one....for all my cars.......last time for the Esprit was a Hankook MF56077 from Accu Megastore .UK which has a branch in the Netherlands.

Price free home € 51,32......... equivalent GBP 45,-

Enclosed the relevant max. allowed battery dimensions and locations of (+) and (-), incl under tray dimensions of the Esprit.........the max allowed battery height is 200 mm; due to max length of both screw thread spindles of the fixing bar.

Edited June 11, 20196 yr by rudolphwolven

The plot thickens. Based on Ruud's diagram above (thanks!) an 088 battery won't actually fit in the battery tray. In fact when I looked at the battery specs on page 7 of section TDJ in the workshop manual I found that that the battery dimensions stated don't even match those of an 088 battery.

Based on the tray dimensions in the diagram in Ruud's post it looks like an 078 battery is the best fit. Maybe the 088 in the manual is a typo and they meant 078?

I'm goint to take the plunge and order an 078 battery tomorrow and I'll report back on how I get on with it when it arrives.

Quick follow up on this for anyone still interested in this fascinating battery tale. You don't want an 078 as I previously stated. The 078 is the ideal physical size for the battery tray but the terminals are the wrong way round for the Esprit, its actually an 027 that you want. Its the same physical dimensions with the correct arrangement of the terminals.

I ordered a Varta D15 battery from Tanya, which has a five year guarantee and meets the cranking current requirements.

https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/varta/d15/

I've not fully installed it yet because when I removed the battery I discovered the tailgate drain tube was damaged such that it would helpfully drain water into the boot space, so I'll need to fix that before I fully install the battery.

I got a Varta D15 for my S4 a while after you posted the above @tomcattom. She's been SORN for 9 months or so but I charged the battery up every 2 or 3 weeks to start the car (there's a drain somewhere). Today's MOT day and, just my luck, the battery isn't giving enough power out to startup, despite being shown as 'fully charged' by my Numax charger. 4 years isn't quite the lifetime @rudolphwolven mentioned above, but nor far off. Even so, got another one on order now.

 

In fact just realised I should have disconnected the battery when not in use. What a noob  

Mine is still absolutely fine, but I do have it connected to my Noco trickle charger whenever it's not in use, as I do for my other non-daily.

If you're not using a car for months on end, it's best to disconnect the battery. And maybe hook it up to a charger once every month or so. Leaving it connected, especially if there is a drain, will kill any battery. Just starting the car without driving and properly warming up things isn't the best idea either.

You could get lucky and be able to revive the battery with a good reconditioning cycle. My Ctek has brought back many a battery from the death. But there are limits of course.

If AGM battery will fit, use one of those. Incredible bits of kit, I just disconnect if leaving for any length of time, they hold charge much better than traditional battery. Croc clips on basic £10 plug in charger also works. No need for overpriced trickle chargers. My charger is 37 years old, cost under £5, still good. 

https://www.tayna.co.uk/car-batteries/optima/

Optima is my choice 

In my experience almost any car with an Ecu will flatten any battery if left for over 14 days. More modern cars are often better with drains allowing the Ecu to sleep with lower current drains. Even my Evora is the same and doesn’t like being left for any extended period of time.

The downside is modern cars have a lot more stuff using elektricity, so even if more efficient there is still a drain. Whereas in something vintage, there is no drain at al (unless you've fitted a 'modern' radio that needs a small current to keep its memory).