oldmansan

After doing some research, I found that a highly priced lightweight battery is just a rebadged Deka, also known as Big Crank. Given that the Deka is well under half the price, I opted for the Deka ETX18L. Cost was $82 shipped to my home. Bear in mind I added the Odyssey SAE terminals (ODY-3217-0006) to allow me to lay the battery on it's back (lower center of gravity). I already had these terminals from a previous battery.

Anyway, I wrapped the battery in adhesive-backed heat protection and made a battery tie-down plate out of some aluminum stock. I drilled two holes in the battery holder and ran short j-hooks to cinch the battery down. Finally, I put some Loctite in the female battery threads (wipe any off of the top as it acts as a resistor).

I opted for the stock location to maximize the weight savings. I've had this battery in for a week and so far so good. I showed a weight savings of 16.6 pounds over the stock battery.








San

pmj341

Looks good, how much smaller than the original??

oldmansan

The way I have it mounted (on its back) it is 3.5" tall, 8" wide and 6.5" front to back. Stock battery was 6.75" high, 9.5" wide and 6.75" front to back.

San

pmj341

That opens up that area.
keep us updated, thanks

oldmansan

I'll be heading to the East Coast next month for at least a week so that will be a good test of if the battery can maintain its charge. A lot here are concerned that the C6 has a lot going on when the car is off that greatly affect battery life. We'll see.

San

VET4LES

Good job.

oldmansan

One other thing I didn't think of. I changed my oil the other day and did the "floor the gas pedal so the engine will turn over without starting" trick to prime the oil throughout the motor. I did this three times and honestly I didn't even think about the fact I had replaced the stock battery with a lightweight one until now. Everything is normal.

San

///DarkSide\\\

Cool

Where do you buy Deka's?

oldmansan

I got it from ebay. Just do a search on Deka ETX18L. Seller's name is pascoinc. I can pm you a link. I'm guessing posting a link would violate forum rules.

San

nwc6

Great find...Amazing what a little research will accomplish..

oldmansan

A little research goes a long way. I've been gathering intelligence on various types of networks for a long time.

San

nowheelie

Do a google search of "deka braille". I am unsure if all info you will find is true, but I like that people are researching and questioning. Made in the USA? Is that true - because that'd be great!

Wish I did my due dilligence before buying a battery already! doh!

As a side note the Deka ET-series batteries are considered "powersport: ATVs, motorcycles, personal watercraft (PWC) & snowmobiles". I likey.

(ps. I have the equivalent of a ext30l I believe)

oldmansan

All of the information that I found is that the Braille (among others) is a rebadged Deka/Big Crank and that they are made by EastPenn Battery.

A lot of batteries are made at the same place and then sold to companies that rebadge them. I found that comparable models of the Braille and Deka were the very same weight, same case, and same terminals. One is very pricey, one is not.

Braille rates their batteries more optimistically, but I'd expect that from a company looking for more money. I'm happy to be a guinea pig.

http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/default.aspx?pageid=4

Made in the USA.


San

dbsears

I spy stick ickys

LS2-Zomb!e

Thanks.

NOSLS2

Nice job. The lightweight battery I have only weighs 11.5lbs
I saved 40+lbs I did pay more than 82.00 I thing it was 130-140.

oldmansan

How in the world did you save 40+ lbs when the stock battery weighs less than 40?

San

dbsears

Its the new weightless battery technology...push start

oldmansan

My math finds that 36 lbs minus 11.5 pounds doesn't equal 40+ lbs.

San

LS3FORME

He's an accountant, what do you want the answer to be.