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Lightweight Batteries

Peter Empson

Peter Empson

PCGB Member
After a couple of days without use my battery seems to be on its way out, so I'm looking for a replacement. Ideally I'm hoping to fit a lightweight version and have seen reference to Braille and Odyssey models which sound like they may be what I'm looking for. Has anyone any experience of running these in the UK climate or know who stocks them?
If not I'll have a look around at Autosport (assuming my battery lasts that long!).

Also am I right in thinkling that the 968CS got away with running only a 63Ah battery?
Best regards,
Peter.
 
I have had Oddysey batteries in my V8 and VX powered kit cars with no probs at all. In fact they are fantastic and are sealed so can be used lying down etc

I used the PC 680 from here You can go for the famous racers choice `red top` here but the price is higher and strangely enough they seem to be an Odyssey with a label [;)][;)][;)][;)]

If you go for it dont forget to order the standard screw in terminals or use spade terminals on your leads [8mm bolt IIRC]

1st downside is that 680 cranking amps is fine for your 944 BUT its limited in amph so you dont get many attempts. If you`re worried go bigger. I had a tuned 2.o litre redtop VX in my Westy and a high compression Rover V8 in my Ginetta and it started them fine with many attempts so I feel you'll be ok. Ensure all earths and leads are optimum condition.

2nd downside is that you MUST use an optimiser (I use this one as do most of the Westy boys) The reason is that Odyssey battery plates are rolled lead sheet not cast so thy are thinner and v close together. A charger will overheat them and buckle them and then they touch so your battery is toast. If you get an Optimate then you can also get the quick release charger leads ie permanent connected with a plastic plug for ease of use if its in the boot.
 
Try Powervamp - they will be at the Autosport show & usually givve a good "show price". I have used them in my single seater with no probs.
 
Thanks Paul & Andy,
That's given me plenty to think about. Given that my car lives outside I'm going to struggle to use a trickle charger regularly, what I may do is get one of these batteries and see how it lasts with daily use, if it doesn't work out then i'll keep it and fit it just for track days and get a more conventional battery for the rest of the year.
My old battery seems to be holding reasonable charge for the time being so it should last until the Autosport show, and then I can see if there are any bargains available on the day.
Best regards,
Peter.
 
Why not fit a battery plug (very race car[8D]) then you can plug in an external battery for those cold morning starts - news is however that, with global warming, cold mornings are a thing of the past.
 
I like that idea John [;)] I'm already looking to change over to a fixed towing eye (front bumper probably won't have provision for the screw in one) so this wouldn't look out of place.

The more I think about these batteries the more appealing they become. Assuming the battery will be up to daily use (and my 20 minute commute each way recharges it sufficiently) then I could consider relocating it behind the passenger seat, they're sealed so there's no leaks or gases to worry about and it would slightly reduce cable length to the starter too.

Not sure how easy it will be to find a solid enough mounting point for it, but its something to think about. [:D]

Best regards,
Peter
 
Thanks for the tip off Andy. Yesterday I got a good deal on a Powervamp 30 and conditioner of £140 all in, a saving of at £50-60 over normal retail prices. This battery is a little larger than intended (850 cranking amps,
26Ah, 9kg), but it should give me a bit more safety margin for shorter, multiple start journeys. As soon as they post me the terminal adaptors I'll give it a go and see if its really a useable option.

Best regards,
Peter
 
Thanks guys. I just picked up this thread and yet again the best info I could find on the net is right here. Just ordered the Powervamp 25 to replace my almost dead and 18.3 Kg of stock monster battery, its a good 5 years old and has been run down many many times.

I also ordered the accumate the other day and it has already turned up, amazing turnaround, its currently plugged into my almost dead battery, seems happy enough to charge it lets see if can bring my old battery back to life.
 
Id like a Braille, but I understand that theyre re-branded Deka batteries which are one third of the price... Some newer Bosche batteries are lighter too, due to using a lead coated aluminium plate.
 
ORIGINAL: Hilux
You can go for the famous racers choice `red top` here but the price is higher and strangely enough they seem to be an Odyssey with a label [;)][;)][;)][;)]

1st downside is that 680 cranking amps is fine for your 944 BUT its limited in amph so you dont get many attempts. If you`re worried go bigger.
Click to expand...

Sounds about right. Being gullible & badly informed, I had fitted a Red Top 40. This was fine with the M44.9 engine in the 924S, but it really isn't enough on a cold morning for the M44.41. And jump starting wrecks the Varley pretty quickly as described.
 
Ive got a "braille" battery installed in my car.
So far its been great. But it is hooked up to a conditioner when not in use....[;)]
 
I was originally going to get a Braile battery but edo didn't have any in stock for the next month. I did a bit of research and followed the various links. Seems to me like the powervamp is the way to go although I guess for slightly less weight you can get a bit better performance from the Braile. ISTR the Braile I was looking at weighs 5kg, the powervamp 6kg. The stock battery is currently sat on the floor with the accumate trying to charge it, the sticker says it weighs 18.3 Kg. Shocking amount of weight these batteries I thought there was something stuck holding it in the car then realised, no it is just that heavy [:D].

When it arrives I will have a good look at how to mount it, might still buy the dedicated mounting bracket.

One thing I did realise which is a nice bonus is that the SAE terminals screw into the battery which means I can at the same time attach the wiring harness for the accumate under the terminals. Have any of you guys run the cables out through a hole in the battery compartment? so you don't need to pop the hatch to connect the charger.
 
I fitted one of these

tn020006.jpg
 
Cheers Paul, I got the weatherproof connection lead with the charger. I was wondering how/where you put the lead on your car, its only about 18" long and with fully sealed ends, to get the cable out one of the drain holes will require cutting the lead and chock blocking.
 
My braille battery weighs 7kg. My "old" bosch battery weighs,,, 17KG...[:D][:D][:D]
Its all got to help in the power to weight ,, hasnt it..????[;)][:D]
 

ORIGINAL: Big Dave UK

My braille battery weighs 7kg. My "old" bosch battery weighs,,, 17KG...[:D][:D][:D]
Its all got to help in the power to weight ,, hasnt it..????[;)][:D]
Click to expand...

That and I have lost 8 lb in weight of me, I want to shed another 1/2 stone or so, every little helps as they say [:D]. Have to say that I am very tempted by a CF or fibreglass bonnet. The oppurtunity to loose a lot of weight of the front of the car to match some of that easily pulled from the back is very attractive, that and my bonnet needs a respray anyway.
 

ORIGINAL: Big Dave UK

I can see a call going in to the boys at EMC for your FG bonnet...[;)][:D][8|][8|]
Click to expand...
Must resist, must resist [:D][:D] I know a call to EMC is inevitable really, I managed to buy the GAZ kit without going to them but how do you get the KAAZ lsd without going to EMC.[8|]
 
Kev's actually a nice bloke when you get past his directness. Easier for me parhaps as we agree on many things that might rub others up the wrong way...
 
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