Light weight battery - LiFeP04
08-08-2015, 08:51 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Light weight battery - LiFeP04
Anyone try one of these?
http://www.batterytender.com/Batteries/
Price and weight (3 lbs) are really attractive. Any ideas for an adapter that can connect the C5 cables to these motorcycle style battery connectors?
http://www.batterytender.com/Batteries/
Price and weight (3 lbs) are really attractive. Any ideas for an adapter that can connect the C5 cables to these motorcycle style battery connectors?
08-10-2015, 09:30 AM
#4
Supporting Vendor
I can't speak to these batteries from a safety standpoint, but the 480 version started the car right up, no issues. I used some battery posts from my 6 lb (actually 7 lb if you weight it) Braille battery with the threaded inserts that comes with the lithium battery. It's the same thing as
. With that post kit, you can use the stock battery connectors. They make kits for most types of connectors so if you want different ones than me (like the screw connectors), you can get
.
In terms of performance and maintenance, you need a lithium specific charger/tender. I use . I keep my car on it at all times in the garage. I have had to jump the car at the track, but had no issues. I did forget to put the car on the tender when I got back from a couple weekends of racing and after three or four weeks, the battery was dead (as in not able to be recharged dead). These little batteries aren't really meant to keep things like the clock and anti-theft systems running long term. First and foremost, I need to be better about keeping the car on a tender when in the shop. Second, I plan on installing since I can't pull the stereo or other factory systems per the rules.
I plan on doing a very clean install of a new battery and will detail that in a separate thread. I'm probably 2-3 weeks out from doing that, one of the machines needs a change over for production so that takes priority.
In terms of performance and maintenance, you need a lithium specific charger/tender. I use . I keep my car on it at all times in the garage. I have had to jump the car at the track, but had no issues. I did forget to put the car on the tender when I got back from a couple weekends of racing and after three or four weeks, the battery was dead (as in not able to be recharged dead). These little batteries aren't really meant to keep things like the clock and anti-theft systems running long term. First and foremost, I need to be better about keeping the car on a tender when in the shop. Second, I plan on installing since I can't pull the stereo or other factory systems per the rules.
I plan on doing a very clean install of a new battery and will detail that in a separate thread. I'm probably 2-3 weeks out from doing that, one of the machines needs a change over for production so that takes priority.
08-10-2015, 10:46 PM
#5
Pro
Thread Starter
Thank you Lane. My cables have side mount connectors, so I'm going to give this a shot http://www.summitracing.com/parts/xsp-551. Ordered the battery and charger from Battery Tender and the adapters from Summit. Will let you all know how it works out.
08-12-2015, 05:49 AM
#8
Instructor
None so far, mine is mounted in the factory location on the C4. In Houston we have had a average of 98 degree high's, yesterday got up to 106. It has been 9 days since the car was started last with no issues, I have let it sit for almost a month before and it will start. I don't use any kind of charger on it, and I only drive it when I go to a autocross or track day. It was worth it, considering getting one for my 5 series BMW since that battery weighs 62 lbs
08-12-2015, 11:28 AM
#10
I just bought a Battery Tender brand 480cca one on Amazon, it was about $210 shipped and weighs 3.5lbs, confirmed on my scale at home. This is for my racecar as I have been struggling to lose enough weight on the car for my class limits. I'd be hesitant to use it on a street car unless you're driving every day, using a trickle charger religiously, or unhooking the battery when not in use. As has been said, complete discharge will be the death of them, but they will hold charge almost indefinitely when unhooked.
As for charging, most standard chargers (without desulfation mode) are just fine on LiFePO4 batteries as opposed to other Lithium-Ion batteries which require something special.
As for charging, most standard chargers (without desulfation mode) are just fine on LiFePO4 batteries as opposed to other Lithium-Ion batteries which require something special.
08-12-2015, 11:42 AM
#11
Instructor
I just bought a Battery Tender brand 480cca one on Amazon, it was about $210 shipped and weighs 3.5lbs, confirmed on my scale at home. This is for my racecar as I have been struggling to lose enough weight on the car for my class limits. I'd be hesitant to use it on a street car unless you're driving every day, using a trickle charger religiously, or unhooking the battery when not in use. As has been said, complete discharge will be the death of them, but they will hold charge almost indefinitely when unhooked.
As for charging, most standard chargers (without desulfation mode) are just fine on LiFePO4 batteries as opposed to other Lithium-Ion batteries which require something special.
As for charging, most standard chargers (without desulfation mode) are just fine on LiFePO4 batteries as opposed to other Lithium-Ion batteries which require something special.
I have had issues with door light staying on and discharging the battery completely, happened a couple times, and the battery is still good. Also I don't use any charger, car sits for extended periods of time, No problem. I have heard of other AGM and lithium battery's requiring a charger and dying after total discharge but I have not experienced that with this LiFePo4, It's been extremely resilient.
