Halfords HB010 battery in Vectra C a bit smaller than stock, can't fix it down

[asktoby]

The battery in my Vectra just failed. Not bad going, since it was the factory fit one and the car's from 2003!

Halfords recommended their hb010 battery which I've fitted, but I noticed that it's a bit smaller than the stock battery.

Also, I couldn't get the battery retainer clip to tighten; it felt like the thread had been rounded but I don't see how that could have happened. Is there a trick to getting them to tighten up? I don't want this smaller battery moving around and damaging the terminals.

[the-wizard]

Most replacement ones for cdti's i found were smaller & were not as good!, The cold starting/cranking was slower & the actual size & weight was far less, When my old corsa 1.7d battery failed i put the smaller aftermarket vec'y battery on that & went back to the same supplier & got the next size up (IE for transit's & similar but it was identical in size & weight to the factory one, this gave better cranking speed hot & cold), Before anyone says it was wrongly supplied first time 'not so' as the motor factor is a friend & the catalouge numbers were correct.

[Big Dave]

I don't want this smaller battery moving around.

It will also fail an MOT.

I've just had to have a new battery and likewise it's a bit smaller than the original one. Vauxhall garage fitted it though, so no idea about the fixing points.

[XPCobra]

I'd take it back and ask for a bigger battery

[asktoby]

I managed to get the gripper to hold the battery down but, because it's shorter, it could still move forwards and backwards. I've fixed that by wedging a block of wood between the battery and battery housing wall.

[dave1419]

Hello, i think that halfrauds have just given you anything that looks like the right battery,i would be taking it back and speaking to the manager,you should not have to be putting bits of wood in to hold it down,i bought my new battery from euro car parts [a bosch one] and fitted it in no time at all.As i say take it back and have a word with the manager--not good service at all-----Dave

[dave1419]

Just looked at that battery number-hb010--dear me that is expensive!!!!you can buy 2 bosch batterys for that and still have money left for a pint!!I try not to use halfrauds if i can--rather buy online and have it delivered-----Dave

[asktoby]

Just to follow up: The car went through MOT fine with the battery wedged by wood.
I paid trade price for the Halfords battery so it was significantly cheaper than the Bosch.
Car is running fine.

[ThatAudioBloke]

You are probably missing the small plastic piece that prevents the battery moving forward from your battery box (as I was). It's a tiny little chock, about 2 inches long by 1 inch wide that just clips into the battery box. You'll probably be able to get one from a scrappy from a 1.8 petrol vec or similar. I got mine from a signum.

Cost - £1 English pound! Vx wanted £15+ for it.

Also, this won't help you now but if anyone else is checking, try and find a local branch of Andrew Page, as this is where Halfords and ECP order their Bosch batteries from. I got a full size Bosch S5 Silver battery (same size as OE VX) for £78 including VAT. Halfords wanted £130 for the same one, or £95ish on trade, and ECP were quoting £95ish as well so it still represents a massive saving over the big name places.

[dh.dti]

As already said take the battery back, i would rather have a Bosch s5 which i baught for my last vectra or a Yuasa which i baught for the shogun... both great batteries & will cost no more than a Halfrauds own brand