Lightweight batteries

[Croc]

Since it is unlikely this driver will lose any weight over this holiday season:blush:, I thought I would replace the banner battery with something more lightweight that will make me faster :svengo:

 

I have seen lots of people use Odyssey PC680, I know Sean uses a PC625 and I have seen references to Braille batteries and EVO2 batteries (3.8 pounds!).

 

What is the latest and greatest view on which battery to go for? I have a battery cutoff so can stop any parasitic load issues.

[yellowss7]

Here you go Mike, this will definately lighten up your FB and wallet. :jester:

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/you-asked-we-listened-chimeras-newest-offering-108643/

[Jackal]

For a little cost savings in addition to the weight, check out Deka EXT14. In Canada I picked one up for about $100. There are post kits that can be purchased for it too from here:

 

http://shopping.microbattery.com/s.nl/it.A/id.6578/.f

 

This battery has been used by several friends in my Auto-x group for some time. I am using one in my Birkin build currently as well.

[JohnCh]

I switched from a PC680 to a Balistic EVO2 16 cell battery almost a year ago. Saved over 11 lb. and starts the car in mid-upper 30 deg range without issue.

 

http://www.throttle-steer.com/uploads/1/1/0/8/11083275/409951_orig.jpg

 

-John

[danilo]

I bought an Optima battery a couple years back.. It just failed. Shop went through 6 'in stock' new ones, searching for a warranty replacement before finding one that could pass initial testing. Clearly, Optimas are currently of Junk quality.

Yuasa AGM oem battery, in my bought new Honda CBR600rr is working 'perfectly' 4 years on. Lightish and clearly reliable/durable. Noting that my Moto has 6 month cold season 'downtime'.

I'd buy one for a car in a heartbeat.

IF weight is a genuine issue? Half fill yer fuel tank :-)

Edited December 8, 2012 by danilo

[blubarisax]

I have a Varley Redtop 25. They need special attention to last (purpose built charger) but save lots of weight. Just could not get my head around the cost of lithium batteries, but they sure look cool.

[Boxologist]

Ballistic EVO2s seem to be the hot number now and have come down in price from what i remember. They need the special charger because they need to be charged at a higher voltage than standard trickle charger that is meant for a wet cell. The proper alternator voltage of ~16v in a charger is needed if Li hydride batteries are going to sit.

 

If you opt for a PC680 size battery, I have an extra mount if u want it.

[JimmyHilton]

I share my building with the Deka automotive battery warehouse. If anyone wants the Deka EXT14's at Distributor cost, I'll do a one time shipment of them for those wanting. Deka builds this battery specifically for Harley, but will be supplied with Deka labeling for warrany/OEM reasons.

 

Info: http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0278.pdf

 

I don't know cost, but can get it Monday if there is interest. I do know that it is a fair bit under $100.

 

Or with shipping from Amazon (w/someones reseller label and probably 90 day commercial warranty) for $72.95 delivered: http://www.amazon.com/East-Penn-Manufacturing-ETX14-ETX/dp/B000A3SIGU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355031378&sr=8-2&keywords=deka+etx14

Edited December 9, 2012 by JimmyHilton

[Sean]

When I was shopping for batteries, the cost of the lithium ones was about 8x-10x that of an Odyssey, but I believe they now start at around 2x or less. If you want to go with the Odyssey, the PC625 costs less, is more powerful, and is lighter than the PC680. The down-side is that the PC625 is a one-off bastard size, so you will need to fab your own mount, whereas the PC680 has mounts readily available off-the-shelf.

 

Banner ready to run is over 30 pounds, I believe.

PC625 is 13 pounds, and about $110-$120.

Ballistic EVO2 16 is 3-1/2 pounds, and advertised at around $250-$270. The chargers direct from the manufacturer are $40 and $80.

 

I have an Odyssey now, but when it packs it in, I expect my car will shed another 10 lbs.

[slomove]

While the lithium ones are in a way cool I think that is getting into the area of diminishing returns. The Odyssey PC625 that I have right now is a whopping 1% of the car's mass so if I save some of that it may give me bragging rights but probably not any measurable effect.

 

I am still impressed with the Odysseys. My current battery in the car is 8 years old and sometimes sits for a few months without charging but never fails to start the car. It even survived a broken alternator regulator that tried to charge it for a while with 16 volts. The Odyssey PC625 that I had before and swapped for the wrong reasons is now 11 years old and still does duty in my trailer, charged every 6 months or so.

[WestTexasS2K]

I have tried the Braille it didnt last 6 months it was a total piece of junk. I have had good luck with the PC625 it has worked great for years and is a reasonable price.

[sdaddy]

While the lithium ones are in a way cool I think that is getting into the area of diminishing returns. The Odyssey PC625 that I have right now is a whopping 1% of the car's mass so if I save some of that it may give me bragging rights but probably not any measurable effect.

 

I am still impressed with the Odysseys. My current battery in the car is 8 years old and sometimes sits for a few months without charging but never fails to start the car. It even survived a broken alternator regulator that tried to charge it for a while with 16 volts. The Odyssey PC625 that I had before and swapped for the wrong reasons is now 11 years old and still does duty in my trailer, charged every 6 months or so.

 

I use an Odyssey in both the Seven and Elise without any issue. The exact same battery was in my R1100S and R1200S BMW. Earlier this year I replaced the R12 battery with a lithium and could not believe the difference in weight :hurray: It actually cranked stronger and held a charge better (no need to hook it up on a tender - even for weeks at a time). When it's time to replace other batteries, I know which way I'll go. I believe the net difference in weight was 8 lbs. When considering the net difference in cost, less than $10/lb for weight loss. Pretty cheap.

Edited December 9, 2012 by sdaddy

[Croc]

This has been excellent feedback - thank you to those who contributed. Doing the research digging, here are the stats summarized:

 

1) Ballstastic Performance EVO2 HD

4.5x4.5x4.25, 3.6lbs, 500CCA

$250-270 area

 

2) Odyssey PC625

6.9x3.9x6.7, 13.2lbs, 625CCA

$110

 

3) Odyssey PC680

6.7x3.0x7.1, 15.4lbs, 680CCA

$117

 

4) Deka EXT14

5.9x3.6x5.75, 12lbs, 300CCA

$75

 

5) Varley Red Top 75

7.2x3x6.6, 13.5lbs

$300

 

6) Lithium - supersmall and megabucks. It figures that YellowSS7 would recommend this one!

 

Hmmm interesting size to weight to value decision coming up!

Edited December 10, 2012 by Croc

[JohnCh]

This has been excellent feedback - thank you to those who contributed. Doing the research digging, here are the stats summarized:

 

1) Ballstastic Performance EVO2 HD

4.5x4.5x4.25, 3.6lbs, 500CCA

$250-270 area

 

Just to make your decision harder, the EVO2 is available on Amazon from Mueller Motorsports for just $226 incl shipping. BTW not sure you want the EVO2 HD over the EVO2. The $30 more expensive HD has the same specs, but is sized differently to fit a Harley Davidson battery box. As for weight, my EVO2 came in at 3lb 4.5oz on an accurate postal scale vs. 14lb 10oz for my outgoing PC680.

 

-John

[Sean]

Mike - On the Odyssey web page with the relevant specs (Enersys web page really), the following numbers are listed for CCA:

PC625 - 200 CCA

PC680 - 170 CCA

 

Also:

The Ballstastic () is a lithium battery.

The Deka specs pdf web page lists 220 CCA for their EXT14.

The Varley Red Top web pages don't list a Red Top 75 model in their current line-up!?

 

Where are you getting the spec numbers above?

Edited December 10, 2012 by Sean
needed to be edited

[yellowss7]

 

 

6) Lithium - supersmall and megabucks. It figures that YellowSS7 would recommend this one!

 

You're welcome you Carbon Tart! :jester: It's only Money. You can't take it with you, so you might as well spend it and enjoy it! Think of it as an early Christmas present to yourself.

 

Tom

[JimmyHilton]

Ok, I can get the Deka ETX14s for $50. I'd think UPS ground to most would be ~ $12-$15.

 

They are 220 CCA.

Edited December 10, 2012 by JimmyHilton

[Croc]

The Ballstastic () is a lithium battery.

 

Wow - Given its price I thought it was a gel type. Lithium has really come down in price! That really is "ballstastic"!

 

Where are you getting the spec numbers above?

 

The CCA specs were coming off a race battery comparison page I found. Looking again at the page I should have put those numbers as PCA - peak cranking amps and not CCA - cold cranking amps. Whatever the difference means I am not sure and really dont care. I more value real world experiences from the experts on here. :seeya:

 

The Varley Red Top web pages don't list a Red Top 75 model in their current line-up!?

 

Still being offerred by the dealers so maybe it is a superseded model? Bargain time?

 

BTW not sure you want the EVO2 HD over the EVO2. The $30 more expensive HD has the same specs, but is sized differently to fit a Harley Davidson battery box.

 

Was not aware there was a non-HD version. Then the regular size works perfect and its cheaper to boot. If it fits in your BIrkin SV then it will definitely fit in a CSR.

Edited December 11, 2012 by Croc

[Croc]

So far I am leaning towards the Evo2 - very lightweight, lithium advantages, compact dimensions with options for different mountings, price is getting close reasonable for the features offerred. Price searching time for good deals.

 

 

Thank you to all who have contributed. This has been excellent feedback :cheers:

[blubarisax]

The Varley Red Top web pages don't list a Red Top 75 model in their current line-up!?

 

I think you are talking about the Varley Red Top 25. 20 AH and 220 CCA, weighing 13.5 lbs.

 

Perhaps you really need to consider the country of origin. Shouldn't a car as pretty as yours have a proper british battery? That's half the reason I chose the Varley.

 

Karl

Edited December 11, 2012 by blubarisax