The specified battery for the P38 is a sealed maintenance free type with a amp rating of 72 amp/h.
The ideal and sensible battery is a 100~115 amp/h with 800 CCA (Cold cranking amps) this rating works well and is the same for diesel models.
The battery that we were supplying was the useless Probe, after many returns we consider this brand to be utter rubbish and regret ever selling them (Documented Proof). The owner of Probe Battery company is a Total KNOB head, no clue what so ever.....
Known faults we had with Probe batteries:
Total failure (within a year) without warning (Flat) indicates a bad cell = crap manufacturing....why else
Electrolyte leaks from posts and top cover, again bad manufacturing process.
Low electrolyte level, means faulty cell plates shorting and battery overheats but they say over charging, rubbish
On my very own vehicle the Probe battery packed up dead, not a hint of a glow of a light and with no smiting of a warning, had to be replaced 11 months down the line, what the hell.....
It now seems to be the norm for them to say that the batteries I return have been over charged, they must think we have no idea on how to test alternators when they come in for a failing battery so good riddance to Probe.
It seems their batteries come in from where ever in blank form, yipe not branded and stickers are applied by them when bought so they could even come from shitty North Korea for all we know...
If anyone from Probe ever reads this your batteries are utter crap, shit, junk.. now with the new consumer law in place we can merely expose such junk matters of suppliers and they are welcome to challenge us.
The public have a right to know and it cannot be hidden, the dark days are gone hiding behind the law of defamation.
While I'm on about the power source it's worth noting three things:
1) Alternator charge rate.
2) Alternator cable upgrade on the GEMS engine (Bosch injected engines do not require this mod but worth soldering as required).
3) Battery box and cover present, this is important to keep extreme engine heat away from the battery.
If you own a 1999 on P38 upgrading the earth cables does wonders, the crimped connection on the battery side tends to fail even though it cannot be seen.
A simple add on earth strap along side the original and bolted to another earth point is ideal, use heavy gauge cable for best results
Just so you know what a junk Probe battery looks like.
I bought a deep cycle Probe battery and its no longer usable, this battery was being used as a source for LED lights in my van at the time and always questioned its ability to hold charge which I returned no less than 3 times for testing in the warranty period, each time they told me it was good but it wasn't so there you have it....useless to the core
National Batteries still seems to rule the market and come under the brands of Varta, Raylite, Exide, Bosch, Midas (spares Shop)
Update 2019, it seems nothing has changed, their batteries are even worse according to people I've been chatting with regarding this junk brand.
I accept at times a battery will fail from time to time but not like thee above were
Buy National Batteries, you cant go wrong
