After 7 years and 1 month my Exide Select Orbital AGM battery gave up the ghost. Since the battery had given me such great service, I decided to replace it with another Exide model. Although the previous battery was a spiral cell design (no longer made), the new Exide batteries use a flat plate design containing six sets of plates, with glass mat separators, arranged in a straight line. Additionally, graphite has been added to help it retain its initial capacity for a longer time and therefore extend its life.
According to Odyssey Batteries which also use a flat plate design, densely-packed flat plates avoid the "dead space" between the cylinders in a "six-pack" spiral design (such as the Optima) resulting in more plate surface area and consequently more power.
General Information
The Battery Council International (BCI) determines specifications for lead acid storage batteries. One of their functions is to provide a list of standard battery dimensions codified under the title of BCI Group number. Each group number specifies a given battery size in terms of length, width and height, as well as the terminal polarity; left hand positive, right hand positive or centerline layout. Looking down on the top of the battery with the terminals closest to you, a R/H positive battery would have the positive terminal on the right. Finally, the terminal location is also listed - top, side or both top and side. BCI publishes a Battery Replacement Data Book each year and it is available at nominal cost. For more information, go to:
BCI Group Number charts can also be found online.
Battery Types Used in the Protégé
The '02 FSM lists specified battery types using Japan Industry Standard (JIS) type numbers. The two types listed, 50D20L and 75D23L are equivalent to BCI Group 35 in terms of dimensions and terminal polarity layout, according to the BCI Battery Replacement Data Book (2007 Edition).
The model number of the OEM battery in my car was JIS 50D20L and was molded on the battery top. It had R/H-POS polarity. After removal, I measured the case size to provide comparative data useful in selecting a replacement.
50D20L Dimensions L x W x H, inches (mm)
7 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 7 13/16 (198 x 170 x198)
Note: Height measurement is to top surface of battery (clamping surface) and does not include terminal length.
JIS Battery Designation Code
This information is taken from the BCI Battery Replacement Data Book (2007 Edition). For example:
50 D 20 L
first 2-digits (50) = performance ranking
first letter (D) = classification by battery width x container height
next 2-digits (20) = approximate battery length in mm when multiplied by 10
Last letter (L) designates polarity. R = standard left-hand front positive terminal; L= reversed right-hand front positive terminal.
Based on the foregoing considerations and information, I selected an Exide Edge FP-AGM35 battery as a replacement.
In the next post I'll cover battery installation.
Happy Motoring!
According to Odyssey Batteries which also use a flat plate design, densely-packed flat plates avoid the "dead space" between the cylinders in a "six-pack" spiral design (such as the Optima) resulting in more plate surface area and consequently more power.
General Information
The Battery Council International (BCI) determines specifications for lead acid storage batteries. One of their functions is to provide a list of standard battery dimensions codified under the title of BCI Group number. Each group number specifies a given battery size in terms of length, width and height, as well as the terminal polarity; left hand positive, right hand positive or centerline layout. Looking down on the top of the battery with the terminals closest to you, a R/H positive battery would have the positive terminal on the right. Finally, the terminal location is also listed - top, side or both top and side. BCI publishes a Battery Replacement Data Book each year and it is available at nominal cost. For more information, go to:
BCI Group Number charts can also be found online.
Battery Types Used in the Protégé
The '02 FSM lists specified battery types using Japan Industry Standard (JIS) type numbers. The two types listed, 50D20L and 75D23L are equivalent to BCI Group 35 in terms of dimensions and terminal polarity layout, according to the BCI Battery Replacement Data Book (2007 Edition).
The model number of the OEM battery in my car was JIS 50D20L and was molded on the battery top. It had R/H-POS polarity. After removal, I measured the case size to provide comparative data useful in selecting a replacement.
50D20L Dimensions L x W x H, inches (mm)
7 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 7 13/16 (198 x 170 x198)
Note: Height measurement is to top surface of battery (clamping surface) and does not include terminal length.
JIS Battery Designation Code
This information is taken from the BCI Battery Replacement Data Book (2007 Edition). For example:
50 D 20 L
first 2-digits (50) = performance ranking
first letter (D) = classification by battery width x container height
next 2-digits (20) = approximate battery length in mm when multiplied by 10
Last letter (L) designates polarity. R = standard left-hand front positive terminal; L= reversed right-hand front positive terminal.
Based on the foregoing considerations and information, I selected an Exide Edge FP-AGM35 battery as a replacement.
In the next post I'll cover battery installation.
Happy Motoring!
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