LTW battery suggestions

[djKibblez]

So my batt just died today, a week before our regional CCA driver's school! FRICK! Anyway, I'm going to pull the batt from my E30 for now....

The car is going through a very very slow track build so instead of purchasing a heavy stock batt, I'm looking for a lightweight alternative as I hear I can save between 20 and 30 lbs.

Suggestions appreciated!

Thanks

[XanDer]

These guys threw out some good options:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1165898
&highlight=battery+options

[Brent 930]

Here is one I have been using for a little while now with good results.

http://www.batteriesplus.com/product_search/32752-X20HBS-Powersport-Battery-Xtreme-Permaseal-AGM-XTAX20H--BS.aspx

Obviously you can get them locally which is nice. You also need to buy battery posts, $10.

Reg price is $85.

[dshilkit]

i've been happy with my interstate battery...not the absolute lightest, but very reliable and a nice size/weight savings over stock.

[djKibblez]

Here is one I have been using for a little while now with good results.

http://www.batteriesplus.com/product_search/32752-X20HBS-Powersport-Battery-Xtreme-Permaseal-AGM-XTAX20H--BS.aspx

Obviously you can get them locally which is nice. You also need to buy battery posts, $10.

Reg price is $85.

Thanks I'll look into these. I went online and punched in my zip code for the batt and it looks like I can only order it online. Where did you get yours locally?

[bennyfizzle]

I have an Odyssey PC680 with the bimmerhaus battery box.

If I can find another battery with the same dimensions as the odyssey I'll probably buy that because it's just too damn expensive, but I like the battery box.

[Junk]

Miata batery!

When I bought my miata from a friend, it had been sitting a couple years, battery was only a bout 4 years old, it was totally dead, I charged it and it worked for another year! Then the car sat for another year or so and it still took a charge for a little bit..That was an OEM mazda battery, really impressed with it though.

I've tried a couple drycell deepcycle batteries and they didn't seem to last any longer than a conventional battery even though they costed $200 apiece! (black panther something or other.. I may have overcharged that one though). And I've seen a fair number of those optima batteries gone dead from sitting too.

Miata battery is readily available and cheaper, just not quite as light as the real small ones.

[Brent 930]

Thanks I'll look into these. I went online and punched in my zip code for the batt and it looks like I can only order it online. Where did you get yours locally?

Fort Collins


I have an Odyssey PC680 with the bimmerhaus battery box.

If I can find another battery with the same dimensions as the odyssey I'll probably buy that because it's just too damn expensive, but I like the battery box.

http://www.portablepower.com/genesis_g12v16ah10ep-p-210.html

They used to be $85.

[NeilM]

http://www.portablepower.com/genesis_g12v16ah10ep-p-210.html


But note the advice and disclaimer about motorsport use under Product Notes near the bottom of that page:

"Notes: For motorsports applications use the Odyssey battery. The Odyssey was designed for rugged vibration sensitive applications with thicker plates to prevent cracking and premature failure. The warranty on the Genesis doesn''t cover motorsports installations."

The more costly Odyssey version may be the better buy.

Neil

[shaeff]

I run a Deka EXT30L. It's a half weight battery.

[bennyfizzle]

But note the advice and disclaimer about motorsport use under Product Notes near the bottom of that page:

"Notes: For motorsports applications use the Odyssey battery. The Odyssey was designed for rugged vibration sensitive applications with thicker plates to prevent cracking and premature failure. The warranty on the Genesis doesn''t cover motorsports installations."

The more costly Odyssey version may be the better buy.

Neil

also note this:

"Due to their strong external packaging and internal pure lead-tin composition, EnerSys' products can withstand not only extreme temperatures but also harsh usage."

They could just be trying to push the odyssey as the 'motorsports' battery so as to not have too large an impact on odyssey's market share?

[Bimmer Man]

Braille battery with HP Autowerks battery mount. Love it.

http://www.eurofanatics.com/braille/DSC01135(1).JPG
http://www.eurofanatics.com/braille/DSCN1456(1).JPG

[shaeff]

Braille battery with HP Autowerks battery mount. Love it.


Just so ya know, that Braille is just a rebadged Deka EXT30L, the same battery I run in my car:

http://www.batteryprice.com/images/products/detail/ETX30L.jpg

Except that mine was cheaper.

[Brent 930]

I hate to break the news to you guys but there are only a couple battery manufacturers out there, so even the likes of Odyssey are a rebadge. The link I posted above is one of those makers. Eastern Penn is another.

[djKibblez]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions...I guess I'll price these out and make my decision.

[raider408]

Ever considered getting a dry cell battery.

[pbonsalb]

My Deka ETX30L lasted only one year of year round driving in NH. Probably a great 3 season battery (keep it trickle charged in the winter during storage). I did get another 3 seasons out of it after that.

Still pondering what I might try next for LTW battery. Maybe a Miata. There are also a couple of other stock size batteries in the 28 lb range for some small cars like Hondas. Maybe Group 26R. I think I tried a Group 51R and it was too tall to fit under the stock cover tray.

I don't want to change the battery in winter or worry about it in winter.

I once bought an Autozone replacement for the stock battery that was about 10% lighter.

Maybe the Optima that weighs 33 lbs would be good. I forget the Group size.

In the past, I tried Odyssey PC900 and PC1200 in other cars and they did not last. Too expensive. I don't park my cars in heated garages with trickle chargers. I drive them (except the antiques and the batteries are pulled).

[GazM3]

i use the oddesy and it works well. only 7kg and it has good Cold cranking amps, but not much storage so its not the one to use for having the cd player going for ages. I also fitted an isolator when the car is parked for some time. it normally starts when left dormat for 7 days or so

[NeilM]

Just so ya know, that Braille is just a rebadged Deka EXT30L, the same battery I run in my car:

I've seen that claim several times, but when I looked up the specs for the seemingly similar Deka and Braille batteries they were quite different. The Braille B2015 I have came with a test certificate to back up its published specs.

It seems to me that although they may use the same case, and perhaps are even made by the same manufacturer, they are in fact internally different. That shouldn't come as a surprise: ordinary AA batteries come in a wide variety of technologies and prices too, but they all look the same.

Neil

[pbonsalb]

I doubt they are different inside. I think Braille tests them differently. I have seen the different specs claimed and they are not even close. I have also read of people testing Deka and finding them to outperform the claimed specs.

It would not be hard for someone or a magazine to do. Braille pays so much for advertising that I doubt magazines want to lose the revenue by exposing the fraud. Perhaps an individual would do it.

What sort of secret magic do you think Braille has to get more power out of exactly the same package and exactly the same weight? If it was lithium ion, it would weigh less. That technology is on the fringe these days for starting batteries -- very rare and expensive, but it is becoming more common for electric cars.

[Brent 930]

I doubt they are different inside. I think Braille tests them differently. I have seen the different specs claimed and they are not even close. I have also read of people testing Deka and finding them to outperform the claimed specs.

It would not be hard for someone or a magazine to do. Braille pays so much for advertising that I doubt magazines want to lose the revenue by exposing the fraud. Perhaps an individual would do it.

What sort of secret magic do you think Braille has to get more power out of exactly the same package and exactly the same weight? If it was lithium ion, it would weigh less. That technology is on the fringe these days for starting batteries -- very rare and expensive, but it is becoming more common for electric cars.

I doubt this too because Braille doesn't actually manufacture the batteries. Again, there are only a few battery manufactures out there so everyone is just rebadging and testing them differently to make a buck.

If Braille actually manufactured the batteries they sell then I would believe the specs.

[pbonsalb]

Odyssey also tests their batteries to different specs than the standard. A little battery like the PC680 does not put out 680 amps under the same conditions as a standard battery that is 3 times the size. But at least Odyssey gives you the standard specs -- 220CCA. 30 seconds at 0 degrees is a much greater challenge than the 5 seconds that yields the 680 amps (and it did not seem clear to me that the 5 seconds is at 0 degrees).

I do believe the Odyssey and Deka and Optima batteries are "higher tech" and do outperform standard lead acid batteries on a pound for pound basis. I have used all of them.

Here is a link to posts from one or more people who claim to have called East Penn (makes Deka and Braille) and then done some testing:

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/1356939-post20.html

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/1361881-post34.html

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/1371144-post40.html

[Volf]

OP if this car isn't solely a track car you may want to invest in a "street" battery. I had a LTW battery on my car just for the weight savings and with just an aftermarket alarm the battery would barely be able to start the car the following morning and every so often required I hooked up a battery charger to it to get it started. So that didn't last long.

I experimented for a while with LTW batteries and after a dud, and another weak battery that I bought after that, I gave up and bought a yellow top. Not that this matters to you, but just my experience with them on a daily driver