Lightweight Battery Install (Pics)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
Iv'e had the Braille battery installed for two years (40,000 miles)without any problems. My ride is an 08 LS3 with the battery relocated to the passenger side cubby hole. FYI... My battery dimensions are 7" long...6" high...4" wide. I don't remember the weight...but...17 lbs seems to ring a bell.
San
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 46
From: Tampa FL
About the concern that if you leave your car for 6 weeks the battery will be dead.
My OEM battery was dead after sitting for 8 days at home and the dealer replaced it under warranty but before replacing it he told me not to leave the car sitting for over a week due to the high current draw of the electronics.
I thought that was ridiculous.
My OEM battery was dead after sitting for 8 days at home and the dealer replaced it under warranty but before replacing it he told me not to leave the car sitting for over a week due to the high current draw of the electronics.
I thought that was ridiculous.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
I was considering this battery with a relocation to the rear to make room for a larger supercharger coolant tank but the "old school" in me just can't get over what you give up in performance. Even the so-so factory battery is 590 CCA and 110AH. I guess you could make the arguement that newer cars with better fueling and ignitions no longer need the extra "umph" to start but this battery has 1/2 the cranking amperage of the stock battery and an even lesser fraction of reserve capacity.
Deka ETX18L Powersports AGM Battery
CCA: 300
20 AH
18 lbs
8 1/8" x 3 9/16" x 6 3/8"
Deka ETX18L Powersports AGM Battery
CCA: 300
20 AH
18 lbs
8 1/8" x 3 9/16" x 6 3/8"
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
I was considering this battery with a relocation to the rear to make room for a larger supercharger coolant tank but the "old school" in me just can't get over what you give up in performance. Even the so-so factory battery is 590 CCA and 110AH. I guess you could make the arguement that newer cars with better fueling and ignitions no longer need the extra "umph" to start but this battery has 1/2 the cranking amperage of the stock battery and an even lesser fraction of reserve capacity.
Deka ETX18L Powersports AGM Battery
CCA: 300
20 AH
18 lbs
8 1/8" x 3 9/16" x 6 3/8"
Deka ETX18L Powersports AGM Battery
CCA: 300
20 AH
18 lbs
8 1/8" x 3 9/16" x 6 3/8"
That said I wouldn't recommend the ETX18L for a rear cubby location because of the long cabling and increased resistance, although several here have done it.
One of the reasons I chose this model is because I mounted it in the stock C6 location. I was trying to reduce weight, and by the time you add cabling for a rear cubby location and thereby increase resistance, you should probably choose a larger battery (some members here have mounted the ETX18L in the rear with no problems). You don't wind up saving much (if any) weight. Check the title of this thread.
I've had many members pm me for details about my battery install so I've made a miniature "how to" with additional information. PM me if you want a copy.
I live in Southern California. I drive my car at least once a week, but the car did sit for three weeks without being charged and started up fine. I've had this battery for over a year with no issues.
San
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
About the concern that if you leave your car for 6 weeks the battery will be dead.
My OEM battery was dead after sitting for 8 days at home and the dealer replaced it under warranty but before replacing it he told me not to leave the car sitting for over a week due to the high current draw of the electronics.
I thought that was ridiculous.
My OEM battery was dead after sitting for 8 days at home and the dealer replaced it under warranty but before replacing it he told me not to leave the car sitting for over a week due to the high current draw of the electronics.
I thought that was ridiculous.
San
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 2
From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
I already had a CTEK battery tender. its good for AGM. There are at least 2 dozen threads on using a battery tender for these cars. thats why i use one. Deka battery is fine going on 6 weeks. heat of houston 100+ F heat index for several weeks now.
My SC car has:
aux fuel pump
1800 watt stereo
methanol pump
these aren't powered up on start up.
The Deka battery has been in the cubbie for 6 weeks now. installed the 2 wire gauge power lead. negative is grounded to car frame less than a foot.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...er-cubbie.html
My SC car has:
aux fuel pump
1800 watt stereo
methanol pump
these aren't powered up on start up.
The Deka battery has been in the cubbie for 6 weeks now. installed the 2 wire gauge power lead. negative is grounded to car frame less than a foot.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...er-cubbie.html
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
I already had a CTEK battery tender. its good for AGM. There are at least 2 dozen threads on using a battery tender for these cars. thats why i use one. Deka battery is fine going on 6 weeks. heat of houston 100+ F heat index for several weeks now.
My SC car has:
aux fuel pump
1800 watt stereo
methanol pump
these aren't powered up on start up.
The Deka battery has been in the cubbie for 6 weeks now. installed the 2 wire gauge power lead. negative is grounded to car frame less than a foot.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...er-cubbie.html
My SC car has:
aux fuel pump
1800 watt stereo
methanol pump
these aren't powered up on start up.
The Deka battery has been in the cubbie for 6 weeks now. installed the 2 wire gauge power lead. negative is grounded to car frame less than a foot.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...er-cubbie.html
Any idea how much the parts to move the battery to the cubby weighed? I'm partially interested because I may go with an Accusump in that area.
San
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 2
From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
you may have to cut some of the steel out for the accusump to gain more depth
yep, i weighed the stuff.
2 gage positive run cable 4lbs
I kept the OEM cables and reused them.
tray -1lbs
Last edited by drivinfast; Jul 18, 2010 at 03:29 PM.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 7
From: DELRAY BEACH FLORIDA
St. Jude Donor '10-'13
That's a very conservative rating. Braille rates the same battery more optimistically.
That said I wouldn't recommend the ETX18L for a rear cubby location because of the long cabling and increased resistance, although several here have done it.
One of the reasons I chose this model is because I mounted it in the stock C6 location. I was trying to reduce weight, and by the time you add cabling for a rear cubby location and thereby increase resistance, you should probably choose a larger battery (some members here have mounted the ETX18L in the rear with no problems). You don't wind up saving much (if any) weight. Check the title of this thread.
I've had many members pm me for details about my battery install so I've made a miniature "how to" with additional information. PM me if you want a copy.
I live in Southern California. I drive my car at least once a week, but the car did sit for three weeks without being charged and started up fine. I've had this battery for over a year with no issues.
San
That said I wouldn't recommend the ETX18L for a rear cubby location because of the long cabling and increased resistance, although several here have done it.
One of the reasons I chose this model is because I mounted it in the stock C6 location. I was trying to reduce weight, and by the time you add cabling for a rear cubby location and thereby increase resistance, you should probably choose a larger battery (some members here have mounted the ETX18L in the rear with no problems). You don't wind up saving much (if any) weight. Check the title of this thread.
I've had many members pm me for details about my battery install so I've made a miniature "how to" with additional information. PM me if you want a copy.
I live in Southern California. I drive my car at least once a week, but the car did sit for three weeks without being charged and started up fine. I've had this battery for over a year with no issues.
San
Last edited by theofel; Jul 18, 2010 at 09:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
FYI...You can't mount a regular size battery in an 08 rear passenger side cubby without removing some electronics. The 05,06,07 passenger side rear cubby is large enough for a larger battery but not the 08. I would love to save money and I will definetly look at the Deka batteries next time around. Braille makes a 17lb battery as well as a18lb...slightly different dimensions and cranking specs. By using a good grade marine cable (4 guage) you still save weight, but more importantly you change weight (BALANCE) transfer to the back wheels. The battery also stays cooler when removed from the engine compartment...should last longer.
I understand that moving the battery to the rear can help with balance. I agree that the battery is cooler when removed from the engine compartment, that's why I wrapped my battery in heat insulation shielding. Life is a compromise.
San
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Hate to bring back an old thread, even if I do think its super informative. But I am getting ready to buy this battery for my 08 z. Can someone give me the model number or confirm that this is the one I need
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...em=#vi-content
also will I need anything else terminal wise for this battery. I wont be laying it down as the OP did because mine will be in the stock z06 cubby hole location so It will be standing.
Thanks
Paul
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...em=#vi-content
also will I need anything else terminal wise for this battery. I wont be laying it down as the OP did because mine will be in the stock z06 cubby hole location so It will be standing.
Thanks
Paul
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 6
From: Los Alamitos California
St. Jude Donor '09
Hate to bring back an old thread, even if I do think its super informative. But I am getting ready to buy this battery for my 08 z. Can someone give me the model number or confirm that this is the one I need
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...em=#vi-content
also will I need anything else terminal wise for this battery. I wont be laying it down as the OP did because mine will be in the stock z06 cubby hole location so It will be standing.
Thanks
Paul
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...em=#vi-content
also will I need anything else terminal wise for this battery. I wont be laying it down as the OP did because mine will be in the stock z06 cubby hole location so It will be standing.
Thanks
Paul
San
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 2
From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
Hate to bring back an old thread, even if I do think its super informative. But I am getting ready to buy this battery for my 08 z. Can someone give me the model number or confirm that this is the one I need
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...em=#vi-content
also will I need anything else terminal wise for this battery. I wont be laying it down as the OP did because mine will be in the stock z06 cubby hole location so It will be standing.
Thanks
Paul
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...em=#vi-content
also will I need anything else terminal wise for this battery. I wont be laying it down as the OP did because mine will be in the stock z06 cubby hole location so It will be standing.
Thanks
Paul
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Do you have this battery in your z06 any issues with it not having a vent tube?
EDIT: found the part number that I assume works
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ODY-3217-0006
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 2
From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
can you point me in the right direction for something like that. All I am finding is JL audio top mount adapters.
Do you have this battery in your z06 any issues with it not having a vent tube?
EDIT: found the part number that I assume works
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ODY-3217-0006
Do you have this battery in your z06 any issues with it not having a vent tube?
EDIT: found the part number that I assume works
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ODY-3217-0006
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 2
From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 8
From: So. Cali. CA
Thanks for the write up. after so many years, this battery still seems to be the best lightweight solution unless you want to spend $300+ on a marginally better lithium unit