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Light Weight Batteries

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Old 12-04-2018, 06:05 AM
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Originally Posted by vcoil
I have replaced the OEM battery with a Deka for Harley Davidson in the engine bay (-10kg).
No problems with engine bay temps or cranking (I don't live in Texas, NA engine with OEM runners).
The only thing to avoid is the battery fully discharge (i.e. in winter time) by using a battery charger/maintainer (like any gel battery) : if not you are ready for a battery replacement.
My car is not a daily driving one.
Presently there is not AC, nor alarm system but this modification has been made when the car were not that "extreme".
MTBF 2y without charger-mainainer, 3+(since the last replacement is the same) with.
This mod is not intended for cars exposed to cold winter temps for long times (i.e. parking the car outside at -10°C for hours).

Best regards
I am also using the Deka ETX20L now. great little battery, and braille has a nice hold-down bracket that can be used to relocate to the trunk.
Old 12-04-2018, 08:06 AM
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I'm using a 480 CCA version of this LiFePO4 battery from Bioenno Power (~4.4 lbs) mounted in my trunk. It works perfectly above 45-ish°F but struggles below that temp. Honestly, I think they may have mixed up "CA" with "CCA". I swap it for a cheap lead-acid battery in the winter and bring the LiFePO4 in the house (never charge a lithium battery below 32°F).

If you go with them, I'd recommend one of their 625 CCA or greater batteries. I think Mr. Pockets has their 1250 CCA battery and loves it.
Old 12-04-2018, 06:55 PM
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I have a 15# Braile with mounting bracket I'll let go for cheap if anyone is interested (see it in my build thread). It struggles with a series 2 starter but is fine with series 1.

AC
Old 02-21-2019, 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by hufflepuff
I use a U1R tractor battery. I've used this battery in 3 other cars as well for multiple seasons. Starts fine down in the 30F range. weighs about 18ish pounds. and very cheap.
need to remember this when its time for my next battery

Last edited by Nadrealista; 04-02-2019 at 02:14 PM.
Old 02-21-2019, 04:00 PM
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Downside with the U1R is it's still a flooded-cell battery. It can leak battery acid on the track and wreak havoc on the metal around the tray. Not as big a deal on the '8 as it was on the FD or SA22C, but I'd rather not have to think about it.

USA-made Deka ETX-30L AGM can be had for $95 delivered. It will easily last 7-8 years with proper use of a maintainer. Not as light as a U1R (+5 lb), but lasts longer, full starting power, and I never have to think about it.

I do use a U1R in my Honda Insight. Literally $20 at Wallyworld versus $120 for even the cheapest "correct" battery.

$95 Deka link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Deka-ETX30L...nd!21224!US!-1
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Old 04-02-2019, 02:15 PM
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will be on Dominion this Sunday (april 7th), are you around?
Old 06-18-2019, 06:35 AM
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This show up along with my other part from japan at first I thought is Pc680
I Never like PC680 used many of it back in the day , just barely enought to use on production track car.........

But this look like a Jdm version of PC680
Call LB680 with higher CCA too !!!!
Since is free I decide give it a try on recondion it
After recondion with. Normal slow charge it 8hr for 3 days then charge again use AGM charger , discharge it with junk fuel pump at shop pumping ATF at bckcket to 11.5V. Charge back with digital high volt and variable amp cgarger , with CA 405amp
look like I might try it on my 8 to test it
I will relocate it to firewall to.avoid heat

Japanese link
http://www.projection.co.jp/od02.html
Attached Thumbnails Light Weight Batteries-img_20190618_122650_655.jpg   Light Weight Batteries-fb_img_1560352415334.jpg   Light Weight Batteries-img_20190618_183202_615.jpg   Light Weight Batteries-photo38.jpg   Light Weight Batteries-photo870.jpg  


Last edited by Diyman25; 06-18-2019 at 08:43 AM.
Old 06-18-2019, 08:18 AM
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Better you than me, one of my least favorite batteries. I paid 10x more for a 9 pound battery with 1000CCA and never had to think about it again; still going strong 8 or 9 years later and has an internal auto shutoff to avoid drainage. Some things are worth the hassle-free factor.
Old 06-18-2019, 10:57 AM
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I have a 680. Crossing my fingers....
Old 06-18-2019, 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by RE-Vision
I have a 680. Crossing my fingers....
I am moving to firewall away from heat
How about u ?
Old 06-18-2019, 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Diyman25
I am moving to firewall away from heat
How about u ?
I just have it in the stock location, ran out of time and haven't addressed it. It has worked in my old co-driver's car for several years so I'm not too worried.
Old 06-18-2019, 05:29 PM
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I never could get one to last more than a year at best with the engine bay heat because they’re only rated for 140*F max without a metal jacket and 176*F max with one; Braille, Odyssey, etc all have that general limit. Mounting it on the firewall is no help when everything in the engine bay heat soaking well over 200*F. Even back in the trunk I still had issues with them being weak, especially on a cold morning. That was 10+ years ago so maybe they’re better now. I’d still recommend the 925 over the 680 for general rotary engine use. Quickest way to flood a rotary is slow startup from dead cold. Maybe not so much of an issue in SoCal.

.

Last edited by TeamRX8; 06-18-2019 at 05:33 PM.
Old 06-18-2019, 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by TeamRX8
I never could get one to last more than a year at best with the engine bay heat because they’re only rated for 140*F max without a metal jacket and 176*F max with one; Braille, Odyssey, etc all have that general limit. Mounting it on the firewall is no help when everything in the engine bay heat soaking well over 200*F. Even back in the trunk I still had issues with them being weak, especially on a cold morning. That was 10+ years ago so maybe they’re better now. I’d still recommend the 925 over the 680 for general rotary engine use. Quickest way to flood a rotary is slow startup from dead cold. Maybe not so much of an issue in SoCal.

.
Me too, so on my other Rotary track car, I use li-ion steel battery, light weight and big cranking power, down side is this type of battery more sensitive to heat and shock, already seen few of shop here have battery blow off when mounting at Engine bay..... don't know which brand , there are too many made in China brand one now .......

Back to odyssey, plus sides on mounting firewall
Can reduce length of battery cable, this will be plus on some thing like 680, infact 90% of battery relocation kit sell in Japan mount it on firewall, but I think with RHD side set up , mounting on right side of firewall is pretty far from heat source
Unlike LHD, I think I will build heat shield under it
Old 06-18-2019, 08:28 PM
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I've been using an STZ14S in my car for more than a year now with zero issues. No problem starting cold those first couple autox of the year.

27 bucks on battery sharks.
Old 06-20-2019, 05:10 PM
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My new track toy was delivered today. PC680 in the trunk. 6 months old. Always on a tender or unplugged. It started to put it on the trailer; would not start to take it off the trailer. The owner said he was replacing it at least yearly, but he was puzzled, because they usually swell before they fail. :o

If the post orientation is correct, I'll probably just replace it with a Miata AGM battery and call it good.
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Old 06-20-2019, 07:09 PM
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Deka AGM still $95 (though now they charge for delivery): https://www.ebay.com/itm/112443224168
Old 06-20-2019, 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeTyson8MyKids
I've been using an STZ14S in my car for more than a year now with zero issues. No problem starting cold those first couple autox of the year.

27 bucks on battery sharks.


that price is crazy low too

Last edited by TeamRX8; 06-21-2019 at 10:05 AM.
Old 06-20-2019, 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by wankelbolt
Deka AGM still $95 (though now they charge for delivery): https://www.ebay.com/itm/112443224168
This is the way I went and I'm happy with it. I wrapped it in a DEI thermal wrap and have it mounted in the stock location. It fires up the car as reliably as the full-size Bosch AGM that I had in it previously. Obviously not the lightest out there but for the price and power it provides, it's a good choice.
Old 06-20-2019, 11:29 PM
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I’ve run the same Ballistic 16 cell for many years. Doesn’t need an enclosure mounted in the interior since it’s dry cell, weight 3.5 lb, never once needed to be on a charger, starts the LS1 at any reasonable temp I’ve tried (freezing and above), and even survived the roll-over when the battery mount (the passenger frame rail) was ripped out of the car (yes it was as scary as that sounds) and the battery ended up hanging by the cables. Couple hundred bucks and couldn’t have asked more from the battery.

Cameron
Old 06-21-2019, 06:04 AM
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Originally Posted by TeamRX8
Yeah, I’ve concluded if you want a small battery that an AGM type may be better than an Odyssey etc.
Just to be clear, Odyssey batteries are AGM batteries of conventional design.
Old 06-21-2019, 10:01 AM
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Ok, my bad. For some reason I was thinking otherwise; probably because of the temp rating, but thanks for pointing out my foot is in my mouth ...
Old 06-21-2019, 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by TeamRX8
that price is crazy low too
Yep..at that price it's a consumable when it gets cooked under the hood.
Old 02-04-2021, 12:51 PM
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my 8 is mainly track toy so I just need it to start spring to fall and to/on/from the track.

From what is listed here I have these options:
- STZ14S $40 230 CCA 11.2AH and 7.62lbs
- Deka ETX20L $95 310 CCA 18AH and 14.3lbs
- Odyssey PC680 $110 170 CCA 16AH and 15.4lbs
- DieHard UR1 $55 340 CCA 30AH and 18.2lbs
- Deka ETX-30L $105 400 CCA 26AH and 23lbs
- Diehard stock size $169 640 CCA and 39lbs

I think I will give STZ14S a try, not much to loose if it does not work out. Deka seems like a decent plan B.

https://www.batterysharks.com/Produc...0%2DK&CartID=1

Last edited by Nadrealista; 02-05-2021 at 08:43 AM.
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Old 02-04-2021, 01:20 PM
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Just to chime in, I am using the Deka ETX30L relocated to my trunk. I daily my car and have it turbocharged (quite a few extra electronics wired in to support the system) and so I needed a dependable battery but one that didn't break the bank. Starts just fine even in below freezing temps (still above 0 F mind you). Added a resettable fuse 6 inches off the positive terminal in the trunk so I can easily disconnect the battery if the car is going to sit for several day while I am out of town or something. I'm quite happy with it overall
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Old 02-05-2021, 07:34 AM
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I'm using a Deka ETX20L in the stock location. Works well. It needs to be charged approx once per week if left connected to maintain it. Seems to last me about 2-3 years. More if maintained well, or less if it is repeatedly run flat.


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