Those with smaller sized batteries
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Those with smaller sized batteries
Wouldnt mind losing a little weight.....for a street car with minimal electronics (MSD and spal fan only) are these pretty reliable or best for a track only car?
A basic 5-600 CCA spins the motor over just fine. What I dont understand is "reserve"......do these need to be on a trickle charge?
Sounds ignorant but know little to nothing about electrical,. just dont wanna spend money if its going to be something I have to keep an eye on.
A basic 5-600 CCA spins the motor over just fine. What I dont understand is "reserve"......do these need to be on a trickle charge?
Sounds ignorant but know little to nothing about electrical,. just dont wanna spend money if its going to be something I have to keep an eye on.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,926
Likes: 739
From: Youngstown Ohio
For about 3 years, I had a Braille 3121 lightweight battery. This one...https://www.summitracing.com/parts/b...kaAonYEALw_wcB
I bought it for the sole purpose of less weight, It weighs 21 lbs. vs. the 55 pounder it replaced. It turned over the car fine and was good for about 3 years before it started not to hold a charge very well. Mind you, I don't drive in winter, and put very few miles on my car during driving season, along with an occasional weekend drag run. I found that if I drove the car regularly, there was never a problem. But , if the car sat over 2 weeks without action, the car would need a jump start. By the third year, even with a trickle charge, it seemed to have less starting power (wouldn't crank as long before dying). I have since replaced it with an Odyssey. Though heavier, for me it is much more reliable. It can sit for two months and still have over 12 full volts. Just my experience......maybe others can add.
I bought it for the sole purpose of less weight, It weighs 21 lbs. vs. the 55 pounder it replaced. It turned over the car fine and was good for about 3 years before it started not to hold a charge very well. Mind you, I don't drive in winter, and put very few miles on my car during driving season, along with an occasional weekend drag run. I found that if I drove the car regularly, there was never a problem. But , if the car sat over 2 weeks without action, the car would need a jump start. By the third year, even with a trickle charge, it seemed to have less starting power (wouldn't crank as long before dying). I have since replaced it with an Odyssey. Though heavier, for me it is much more reliable. It can sit for two months and still have over 12 full volts. Just my experience......maybe others can add.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
I have the 15 lb Braille and it is awsome
427 11.2:1 compression 650hp
200 watt stereo
Valentine V1
FAST EFI
brushless deltapag fan
LED lighting except headlights.. I’ll change that soon
mallory mini starter
powermaster 150 amp alternator
my engine littery just needs 1 spark in one hole and she lights up..
427 11.2:1 compression 650hp
200 watt stereo
Valentine V1
FAST EFI
brushless deltapag fan
LED lighting except headlights.. I’ll change that soon
mallory mini starter
powermaster 150 amp alternator
my engine littery just needs 1 spark in one hole and she lights up..
Last edited by pauldana; Jan 8, 2019 at 02:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
I go for a month at a time many times between starts..
just don’t have anything that bleeds the system
amd if you do, put cheep little switch on the battery.. then you can got for several months..
just don’t have anything that bleeds the system
amd if you do, put cheep little switch on the battery.. then you can got for several months..
Last edited by pauldana; Jan 8, 2019 at 03:23 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
I am a firm believe in Battery Tenders throughout the winter months. I have mine hooked to a wall outlet timer, 3 Hrs a day, 7 days a week. My Pioneer stereo system has a slight parasitic draw. But even then the non-active battery will hold a charge several weeks w/o a trickle charger.
It been said that the average automotive battery loses 1% of its charge per day. Doesn't sound like much does it? But wait, after 30 days it has lost . . . .
and 60 days or 90 days. You get the idea. That's also why those batteries sitting on the shelf at the store are about shot. Been there for months, no body bothers to charge them.
It been said that the average automotive battery loses 1% of its charge per day. Doesn't sound like much does it? But wait, after 30 days it has lost . . . .
and 60 days or 90 days. You get the idea. That's also why those batteries sitting on the shelf at the store are about shot. Been there for months, no body bothers to charge them.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jan 8, 2019 at 08:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Just broke this one out after a few yrs of being stored, hoping to take it out at least a few times a month .
I disconnect the battery soon as I pull in to the garage if that helps. I can see trickle charging it occasionally if its down a hair from sitting but if its needed all the time not interested. Dropping 30 lbs sounds good though.
I disconnect the battery soon as I pull in to the garage if that helps. I can see trickle charging it occasionally if its down a hair from sitting but if its needed all the time not interested. Dropping 30 lbs sounds good though.
Last edited by cv67; Jan 8, 2019 at 05:16 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
FWIW-Battery tenders will obviously create the opportunity for a car to sit for weeks or months without starting while still connected to the car.
Make no mistake, though, that the best way to extend the life of a battery is to use a quick disconnect on the negative battery terminal without any trickle chargers. I have had many batteries last over 10+ years in cars that sit 99% of the time with NO battery tenders. Battery tenders will shorten the life of the battery versus a quick disconnect due to the constant chemical reaction inside the battery..............
I have had Kirkland (Costco) batteries last 10-14 years with no chargers and sitting mostly BUT disconnected. I just changed out my last Costco Kirkland battery in my Daughter's 01 Grand Prix that died last winter, Daily Driver, in which the battery was 12 years old. BTW-the battery died since an accessory was left on in the car. The freaking battery was still good up to that point...unbelievable.....
A properly maintained /Stored battery should easily outlast one that is used in a car as a daily driver...see above^^^^^^^^^^^^^
2 additional factors that kill batteries prematurely are HEAT and Vibration when the car is moving...........
Make no mistake, though, that the best way to extend the life of a battery is to use a quick disconnect on the negative battery terminal without any trickle chargers. I have had many batteries last over 10+ years in cars that sit 99% of the time with NO battery tenders. Battery tenders will shorten the life of the battery versus a quick disconnect due to the constant chemical reaction inside the battery..............
I have had Kirkland (Costco) batteries last 10-14 years with no chargers and sitting mostly BUT disconnected. I just changed out my last Costco Kirkland battery in my Daughter's 01 Grand Prix that died last winter, Daily Driver, in which the battery was 12 years old. BTW-the battery died since an accessory was left on in the car. The freaking battery was still good up to that point...unbelievable.....
A properly maintained /Stored battery should easily outlast one that is used in a car as a daily driver...see above^^^^^^^^^^^^^
2 additional factors that kill batteries prematurely are HEAT and Vibration when the car is moving...........
Last edited by jb78L-82; Jan 8, 2019 at 06:48 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,228
Likes: 1,672
From: Long Island
Reserve is how long a battery will deliver 25 amps before dropping to a pre determined voltage.
This could be important if you sit at a car show / parking lot with radio / etc on and the motor not running.
The Glass Mat batteries usually last longer and hold a charge longer.
The main thing that kills batteries is sitting - the plates sulfate and then loose the ability to produce electricity ( not exact - close enough) . That is why a car used every day has a battery that lasts a few years.
A trickle charger helps, but there are many kinds. The ones with the Anti -sulfate electronics cost more and will actually help a battery last longer while in storage, sometimes bring a battery back for a while,,,,
I would go with a Red or Yellow top battery - they last and produce ample power...
This could be important if you sit at a car show / parking lot with radio / etc on and the motor not running.
The Glass Mat batteries usually last longer and hold a charge longer.
The main thing that kills batteries is sitting - the plates sulfate and then loose the ability to produce electricity ( not exact - close enough) . That is why a car used every day has a battery that lasts a few years.
A trickle charger helps, but there are many kinds. The ones with the Anti -sulfate electronics cost more and will actually help a battery last longer while in storage, sometimes bring a battery back for a while,,,,
I would go with a Red or Yellow top battery - they last and produce ample power...
Last edited by BLUE1972; Jan 8, 2019 at 06:00 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,910
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
For the past several years I've been using the same battery that I use in my garden tractor. It's a 16#, 300CCA/360CA $29.95 battery I get at my local farm and fleet type store. Cranks my engine just fine (I have a lightweight C4 PMGR starter, which reduces the current draw during cranking). When the battery takes a powder in the tractor, I just pull the one out of the '69 and throw it in the tractor, and put the new one in the car. I do that about every three or four years.
I've been looking at some of the lithium ion batteries lately. Damn light weight (2-4#), and I believe they would crank my bb just fine, but I'm still trying to get all the charging requirements for those figured out before I consider spending the cash.
I've been looking at some of the lithium ion batteries lately. Damn light weight (2-4#), and I believe they would crank my bb just fine, but I'm still trying to get all the charging requirements for those figured out before I consider spending the cash.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
For the past several years I've been using the same battery that I use in my garden tractor. It's a 16#, 300CCA/360CA $29.95 battery I get at my local farm and fleet type store. Cranks my engine just fine (I have a lightweight C4 PMGR starter, which reduces the current draw during cranking). When the battery takes a powder in the tractor, I just pull the one out of the '69 and throw it in the tractor, and put the new one in the car. I do that about every three or four years.
I've been looking at some of the lithium ion batteries lately. Damn light weight (2-4#), and I believe they would crank my bb just fine, but I'm still trying to get all the charging requirements for those figured out before I consider spending the cash.
I've been looking at some of the lithium ion batteries lately. Damn light weight (2-4#), and I believe they would crank my bb just fine, but I'm still trying to get all the charging requirements for those figured out before I consider spending the cash.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 39,390
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From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
I am a firm believe in Battery Tenders throughout the winter months. I have mine hooked to a wall outlet timer, 3 Hrs a day, 7 days a week. My Pioneer stereo system has a slight parasitic draw. But even then the non-active battery will hold a charge several weeks w/o a trickle charger.
It been said that the average automotive battery loses 1% of its charge per day. Doesn't sound like much does it? But wait, after 30 days it has lost . . . .
and 60 days or 90 days. You get the idea. That's also why those batteries sitting on the shelf at the store are about shot. Been there for months, no body bothers to charge them.
It been said that the average automotive battery loses 1% of its charge per day. Doesn't sound like much does it? But wait, after 30 days it has lost . . . .
and 60 days or 90 days. You get the idea. That's also why those batteries sitting on the shelf at the store are about shot. Been there for months, no body bothers to charge them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Its all about unnecessary wear-n-tear on your charger. If the battery does not need 24 / 7 charging why work it?
My first Deltran lasted a couple years at a 24hr / 7 days for about 200 winter storage days straight. The green light was always on indicting it was just monitoring the batterys condition. But it finally croaked. On my second purchase, I figured out that the charger did not need to be on that much. I was just wearing it out.
So, off to Walmart I go. They have a 24hr dial timer, white plastic, $7, plugs into wall. Often used to turn a light on in a unoccupied house. I plugged in the Battery Tender and kept dropping the amount of time needed to maintain the battery 100%. That was years ago. Today the duration of charging comes out to 3 hrs / 7 days.
If I open the door, the dome light will change the Tender to red light, indicating a discharge. Within 10 mins, its back to green.
So, why work the charger more than you have to. Of course each vehicle will have different needs. I have one small parasitic draw off of a stereo is all.
My first Deltran lasted a couple years at a 24hr / 7 days for about 200 winter storage days straight. The green light was always on indicting it was just monitoring the batterys condition. But it finally croaked. On my second purchase, I figured out that the charger did not need to be on that much. I was just wearing it out.
So, off to Walmart I go. They have a 24hr dial timer, white plastic, $7, plugs into wall. Often used to turn a light on in a unoccupied house. I plugged in the Battery Tender and kept dropping the amount of time needed to maintain the battery 100%. That was years ago. Today the duration of charging comes out to 3 hrs / 7 days.
If I open the door, the dome light will change the Tender to red light, indicating a discharge. Within 10 mins, its back to green.
So, why work the charger more than you have to. Of course each vehicle will have different needs. I have one small parasitic draw off of a stereo is all.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jan 11, 2019 at 08:11 PM.