Battery

From Datsun 1200 Wiki

Note that the Battery from most cars interchange with the Datsun 1200 -- even large batteries. The A12 does not need a high-power battery and often a worn battery that can no longer start a V8 will work fine in your 1200 for another year or two. The 1200 can take quite large batteries, although newer very small batteries will save weight thus gaining "free" horsepower. In Japan, 1200s came with very small batteries.

Note that GM batteries with side-mounted terminals won't work unless you change the battery cables to match.

Table of contents

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Australia

What size battery was standard for Datsun 1200 in Australia?

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Japan

In Japan, the 1200s come with a very small battery, (tall, but small).

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photos/16698.jpg)

JDM battery, takes up only a portion of the battery tray. This is powering a street/race A14.

Type: 38B19L (http://autopowerstore.com/TF-38B19L.html)

Dimensions

Height: 20.4 mm (7-7/8 inch)
Width: 18.8 mm (7-3/8 inch)
Depth: 12.8 mm (4-7/8 inch)
Weight with acid: 9.7 kg (http://www.panasonic.com.my/web/Pid/1763) (21.4 pounds)
CCA: 274
Capacity @ 20 Ah: 33-35
Reserve Capacity Minutes: 52

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USA

The best fit is with the Positive terminal on the right side of the battery top.

USA models originally used a large full-size battery (Group 24). With today's better batteries, a much smaller battery is all you need.

Group 24: 41 pounds. 6.75 wide, 8.75 in Tall, 10.87 long
Group 25: 36 pounds. 6.75 wide, 8.75 in Tall, 9.69 long
Group 26: 31 pounds. 6.75 wide, 7.81 in Tall, 8.75 long

A Group 26 battery is a lot lighter and more powerful than the original specification. But it doesn't fit very well using the original hold-down as you can see in this photo:

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=15362)

Sears Group 26 Battery (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02830126000P?vName=Automotive&cName=Batteries+%26+Chargers&sName=Automotive+Batteries)

Sears Group 24 Battery (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02830324000P?vName=&cName=&sName=)

All Sears Batteries for Datsun 1200 (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Automotive_Batteries+%26+Chargers_Automotive+Batteries)

Group 24
- CCA: 525
- Reserve Capacity: 90
Group 25
- CCA: 525
- Reserve Capacity: 85
Group 26 (http://www.staabbattery.com/product/aut/MF26-60.html)
- CCA: 525
- Reserve Capacity: 80

Reserve Capacity (RC) is the number of minutes a fully charged battery at 80° F (26.7° C) can be discharged at 25 amps until the voltage falls below 10.5 volts. More RC is better in every case. To convert Reserve Capacity to approximate Ampere-Hours, multiple RC by 0.4.

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Battery Hold-down

The genuine battery hold-down:

24420-J0600
- For batteries 6.75 wide, 8.75 in Tall, 10.87 long (Group 24 size)

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=15373)

Factory J-Hook 24424-H5000 (9.25" 235mm)

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Cable Routing

The Negative battery cable (black cable) bolts to the timing cover bolt. It is important to have the engine grounded like this, and not the body -- because the starter uses the most power, the cable needs to go directly to the engine block.

(http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=4969)
Factory Photo