Battery recommendations for a dual use car

[davekmoore]

So, and don't ask why I have such a thing, the lead acid battery in my SE "BARMY" isn't coping with me going a little less slowly round corners nowadays. Stuff falls out of it and messes up the battery compartment as well as making the battery ill [jeez, at this rate if I get another 10 years practice on the track I'm going to need a fuel surge tank too].

Recommendations appreciated. Don't mind something lighter but won't spend too much extra $$$ on extra lightness. Want it to be 100% compatible with the self regulating NA alternator (no, don't ask me why that's there either) and always to start the car for DD use.

Thoughts also appreciated on whether the alternator should be geared down with a different pulley bearing in mind the motor is now often seeing 7,000 rpm on the track.

[beavis]

Deka EXT15

[Dan]

^ Agreed, I've got a ETX15L on my car too.

5kg and the car starts even when it's been sitting for weeks.

[Ned Loh]

Deka EXT15

that is probably fine. if you want something about the same weight, but with closer to factory spec CCA, you could try one of these (a bit more money though)

http://www.braillebattery.com.au/index. ... ies/b14115

[Magpie]

Whilst this is what you said you DO NOT want. It weights 1.7kg and has NEVER failed to start my car yet, in fact the lithium turns over the car better than the OEM. However, I do hit the kill switch every time I park the car so there is no parasitic drain on the battery. Have left the car for 3 weeks (kill switch on), hopped in and car started no issues.

Not sure on the OEM weight but guessing between 12-13 kg, so a good weight saving and cost effective.

IMG_1160[1] by Eipeip, on Flickr

[Apu]

I have the SSB PowerSport Lithium in my Integra as well. Not cheap, but starts every time and light enough I can pick it up with my thumb and index finger.

That said, the Integra is stripped out with minimal electrics and has a kill switch.

I'm thinking of using the SSB RTX15L-BS. It has 340cca and weighs 4.7kg. Batteriesdirect.com.au have it advertised at $119...so a bit lighter and cheaper than the Deka.

Anyone else used this SSB?

[93_Clubman]

A few years ago manga_blue was using a Fullriver SPV35 AGM without any probs for at least 3 years - at the time he reckoned he could easily have used the smaller Fullriver HC20 AGM instead.
OEM Panasonic is 9.5kg.

[Dan]

I'm thinking of using the SSB RTX15L-BS. It has 340cca and weighs 4.7kg. Batteriesdirect.com.au have it advertised at $119...so a bit lighter and cheaper than the Deka.

Anyone else used this SSB?

That sounds like a bargain.. If I saw that before I got my Deka a few months ago I would of tried it out.

Not sure on the OEM weight but guessing between 12-13 kg, so a good weight saving and cost effective.

I weighed my Deka ETX15L which I got for my NC, it was advertised at 11lbs (4.98kg), on my scales it was 5kg with the terminals, the 'supercharge' battery I pulled out was 10.1kg on the same scale.

[hks_kansei]

I'd suggest to avoid the Odyssey PC680

It's light, it doesnt spill, and it takes FOREVER to discharge when sitting un-used.

Only problem is that it needs some weird method to charge it, which means the alternator wont do it.

My GF had one in her NA6 and she'd maybe get 2 days of starts from it before it went flat since it wouldnt charge from the car.

The stupid thing doesnt even charge from the plug-in charger in the garage, you need to daisy chain it with another battery or something.

I just use it to power my garage radio, which is a old car head unit screwed to an old bookshelf.

[manga_blue]

A few years ago manga_blue was using a Fullriver SPV35 AGM without any probs for at least 3 years - at the time he reckoned he could easily have used the smaller Fullriver HC20 AGM instead.
OEM Panasonic is 9.5kg.

I've had a few Full rivers over the years now: HC20, HC28, SPV35. They're cheap, light, small AGMs that pack a powerful punch but to be honest their lifespan hasn't been great. They're great though when you need space in the boot for the golf clubs.

[madjak]

I use the DEKA EXT12. $160 and only 4.3 kg. It has heaps of cranking power for my engine (very high compression / big cams) which is hard to start anyway. I think there is no need to go bigger for any MX5.

For full race, if I was to go Lithium, I'd go for a 8amp hour HobbyKing 4S LiPoFe battery for $100 and hook it up with anderson plugs so you can quickly remove it / charge it etc. Maybe get two so you have a spare. I'd also mount it up in the windscreen cowl area so you don't need a battery cable running the entire way down the car. If it fries it's not inside the cockpit at all.

Link: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__14074__ZIPPY_Flightmax_8400mAh_4S2P_30C_LiFePo4_Pack.html
Weight: 1kg

[Apu]

^^ mother of god...what a great idea!

[madjak]

^^ mother of god...what a great idea!

It's not my idea... if you do this make sure you build a solid enclosure around the battery. One knock against anything sharp and your car will be covered in a plume of toxic smoke.

I have plans to 3D print an impact resistant enclosure and mount. If anyone is interested I could look into making a few.

[mx5002]

I'd suggest to avoid the Odyssey PC680.

I have had one of these in my car for two months now with no issues. When I first fitted it I put my ctek charger on it to make sure it was perfect and is always read 12.4v since

[Sailor]

I'd suggest to avoid the Odyssey PC680

It's light, it doesnt spill, and it takes FOREVER to discharge when sitting un-used.

Only problem is that it needs some weird method to charge it, which means the alternator wont do it.

.

Her car has a problem...mine charges properly