single 12 volt battery conversion on a 1954 BN1

[bighealeysource]

Hey all,
I recently purchased a 54 BN1 that had the twin 6 volt batteries
converted over to a single 12 volt battery put in the trunk.
In the process of restoring the interior and trunk and was
wondering if anyone knew if the standard 12 volt Healey
battery would fit in where one of the 6 volt units sat ?
Know I can unhook it and check it out but thought I might get
the opinions of someone out there who might own a BN1 or BN2.
My main concern would be the fit of the 12 volt unit from
a height issue and suspension travel of the rear end unit.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Randy Forbes]

I was able to put a single 12VDC Optima battery in the place of one (1) of the 6VDC batteries originally fitted to my BN6 (100/6 2-seater).

No issues at all, in my case.

 

[retroRob]

Here are the dimensions:
https://healey.org/content/view/412/168/

 

[glemon]

I think a standard battery will fit in one of the trays with a little mod to the tray, I had a Interstate MT24 (from memory, but pretty sure that is correct) in mine. Less weight and less money, plus probably better cranking amps than the dual 6 voltss.

 

[oslo100]

Re: single 12 volt battery conversion on a 1954 BN

I have two 12V batteries connected in parallel, still positive earth. Fits nicely on the two trays and works very well. The car is locked away for the winter so I don't have/remember the outer dimensions nor the ampere.

Georg

 

[zblu]

Re: single 12 volt battery conversion on a 1954 BN

oslo100,
I would be interested to find out if they fit the original trays, as the only ones I can source that do fit are expensive sealed ones ones (about $300 each!)

 

[bighealeysource]

Re: single 12 volt battery conversion on a 1954 BN

Thanks y'all for your help with this question. Guess I'll have to break down
and just take the battery out of the trunk and see how it fits or go with the
12V Optima.
Regards,
Mike

 

[Healeysince59]

Re: single 12 volt battery conversion on a 1954 BN

A friend is using 2 12 volt garden tractor batteries in his XK120. I have a Miata battery in my BN1 but I had to notch the tray to get it to fit.

Marv J

 

[oslo100]

Re: single 12 volt battery conversion on a 1954 BN

Hi zblu,

They are the sealed (kalsium)type (and apparently maintenance-free too), but are only about 90USD each. Sadly I can't provide you with more info before approx. april. I look however forward to being able to!

Georg

 

[BUNDYRUM]

Re: single 12 volt battery conversion on a 1954 BN

Hello bighealeysource,

I have a single 12 volt battery in my BN7 which came from Sears(the battery and not the BN7 that is).
The last time I looked at the Sears website they had dimentions of the batteries on there.
I don't remember if there was a difference between the space in the battery compartments of the BN1 and BN7.

Regards,

bundyrum.