I've been using 11lb AGM batteries forever in my CRX, and I want to put one in my Z3 soon, too. I've used Hawker, Odyssey, and Bosch... My next one will be a Deka.
In the Z3 I dont do much of anything besides rolling up the windows with the power off. I get about 10 days a year at the most where I need to start the car in below-freezing temps, and that's rarely lower than 28° at the worst. However I know there are some extensive electric whirrings going on when the Z3 motor is not running compared to the old CRX.
The car is my garaged commuter, but I am a casual autocrosser and HPDE-r, so I want to get what I can from the bang-for-buck mods I can do.
I'm thinking the AGMs in the 15-16lb range should meet my needs, but I wonder if anyone has some specific info to share on this subject.
This would be good to know. Would also like to hear experiences/impressions. I've heard good things about the braille batteries....
2002 Alpine White w/ Black 368 (<OO \(||][||)/ OO>)
Power: Custom Exhaust w/ High Flow cats, CSL headers, built, low-compression Supercharged and aftercooled S-54, ViPEC standalone ECU, Vortech V2 Si trim
Driveline: Euro 6 speed, 3.64 diff w/ 40% Lockup, Rogue Octane SSK, UUC Red TME kit, UUC Stage 3 LTW Flywheel/M5 Clutch, SS Shift Knob
Suspension & Brakes: TC Kline True Match Coilovers 500f/500r w/ adjustable camber plates, Racing Dynamics sways, Custom front sway endlinks, ATE fluid, UUC/Willwood BBK 6 piston f - 4 piston r , Slotted E46M3 Rotors, Stainless Lines, Strong Strut, IE Subframe & adjustable rear trailing arm bushings
ICE & Misc: Projector Z's w/DDE & 5k HID, 19'' Gold HRE C20's, Custom Aux pwr outlet, footwell lighting, ACS Splitters, Areo Sideskirts, Custom gauge pods, Z8 Start, Pioneer AVIC Z3, Clarus Components, 10" RE Sub in a Mister-X Enclosure, Alpine PDX 4X150 + 1X600 Amps
Coming soon: and a visit to Randy Forbes
Braille batteries are just high-markup, rebadged DEKA batteries.
Check over in the track subforum, they have tons of threads about this. One or two full discharges will pretty much kill one of these batteries, so keep that in mind.
QFT!!!! I have no idea how someone could "hear good things about Braille batteries" without finding this information too...the power of marketing, I guess.
But like I asked, any specific experiences in Z3 coupes and 3.0's would be greatly appreciated...in the meantime, I'll be searching through the track forums.
Last edited by Silberwald; 03-09-2011 at 03:43 PM.
Let me help you out with that:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...rchid=19151151
Also Good to know - thank you.
Last edited by clintjg; 03-09-2011 at 03:47 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
2002 Alpine White w/ Black 368 (<OO \(||][||)/ OO>)
Power: Custom Exhaust w/ High Flow cats, CSL headers, built, low-compression Supercharged and aftercooled S-54, ViPEC standalone ECU, Vortech V2 Si trim
Driveline: Euro 6 speed, 3.64 diff w/ 40% Lockup, Rogue Octane SSK, UUC Red TME kit, UUC Stage 3 LTW Flywheel/M5 Clutch, SS Shift Knob
Suspension & Brakes: TC Kline True Match Coilovers 500f/500r w/ adjustable camber plates, Racing Dynamics sways, Custom front sway endlinks, ATE fluid, UUC/Willwood BBK 6 piston f - 4 piston r , Slotted E46M3 Rotors, Stainless Lines, Strong Strut, IE Subframe & adjustable rear trailing arm bushings
ICE & Misc: Projector Z's w/DDE & 5k HID, 19'' Gold HRE C20's, Custom Aux pwr outlet, footwell lighting, ACS Splitters, Areo Sideskirts, Custom gauge pods, Z8 Start, Pioneer AVIC Z3, Clarus Components, 10" RE Sub in a Mister-X Enclosure, Alpine PDX 4X150 + 1X600 Amps
Coming soon: and a visit to Randy Forbes
My 11 lb Braille battery lasted about 5 years before it finally started acting up (occasionally not able to start the car even when charged fully). Note that I did have to use a trickle charger whenever leaving the car to sit for longer than a few days. IMO it was a positive experience, but when it came time to replace it, I went with a 15 lb replacement from Tomioka (same manufacturer as Braille, but cheaper): http://www.tomiokaracing.com/tomioka...batteries.html
I'm running the Odyssey 15# battery since giving up on a Braille and I'm pretty pleased at its cold crank and holding power.
Now in E92 M3 ZCP -- Absolute beast
2002 Alpine White w/ Black 368 (<OO \(||][||)/ OO>)
Power: Custom Exhaust w/ High Flow cats, CSL headers, built, low-compression Supercharged and aftercooled S-54, ViPEC standalone ECU, Vortech V2 Si trim
Driveline: Euro 6 speed, 3.64 diff w/ 40% Lockup, Rogue Octane SSK, UUC Red TME kit, UUC Stage 3 LTW Flywheel/M5 Clutch, SS Shift Knob
Suspension & Brakes: TC Kline True Match Coilovers 500f/500r w/ adjustable camber plates, Racing Dynamics sways, Custom front sway endlinks, ATE fluid, UUC/Willwood BBK 6 piston f - 4 piston r , Slotted E46M3 Rotors, Stainless Lines, Strong Strut, IE Subframe & adjustable rear trailing arm bushings
ICE & Misc: Projector Z's w/DDE & 5k HID, 19'' Gold HRE C20's, Custom Aux pwr outlet, footwell lighting, ACS Splitters, Areo Sideskirts, Custom gauge pods, Z8 Start, Pioneer AVIC Z3, Clarus Components, 10" RE Sub in a Mister-X Enclosure, Alpine PDX 4X150 + 1X600 Amps
Coming soon: and a visit to Randy Forbes
My battery is not holding up a charge. I would like to have a lighter battery but I don't want to worry about it going dead after sitting for a few days or a week. Oh and I will be installing a 100 Watt amp. Any recommendations?
What about this one... http://www.tomiokaracing.com/tomioka...e-battery.html
-Phil
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