Restoration-Mini

Technical Forums => Maintenance and Modifications => Topic started by: Shrimps on March 31, 2024, 01:14:52 PM

Title: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: Shrimps on March 31, 2024, 01:14:52 PM
What is everybody using for lightweight starter batteries these days?  With all the fancy battery tech out there nowadays, looking for something other than a standard flooded lead acid as I'd like to save some weight.  It's easier to buy a lighter battery than have to lose weight myself.

My 2/2010(!) flooded battery needed some assistance after my car sat for nearly 10 months.  Otherwise started surprisingly easy, thankfully.

Anyway, not sure if I want to go crazy & try out a Lithium powersport battery, or someplace in between with smaller (than flooded) AGM like a PC680 type.  I am inherently cheap so I'd like to keep the cost at/under $150.
 
Title: Re: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: 94touring on March 31, 2024, 02:51:41 PM
I used one for awhile.  It's sitting dead on my shop floor. Will try and get the info off it tomorrow.
Title: Re: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: 94touring on April 04, 2024, 08:24:11 AM
Here's what I had used.  I don't remember the weight and don't have a scale out here, but probably half a standard battery. Since my standard battery is now dead, might go back to the light one. 
Title: Re: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: MiniDave on April 04, 2024, 10:42:24 AM
Why did you stop using it?

I'm curious about some of these new lithium batteries too, but all the ones I've seen are really expensive. I know you need a different kind of battery charger, I wonder if the standard alternator setup is OK for them? I wonder if a motorcycle battery would start these tiny little motors too?

I've been hearing not good things about Optimas lately....
Title: Re: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: 94touring on April 04, 2024, 12:22:10 PM
It got a bad cell or something about 2 years in and would randomly die. 
Title: Re: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: Red Riley on April 07, 2024, 05:35:51 AM
I used a Braille 15 pound AGM for a couple of years, then went to an 18 pound one when I started having issues with the first one. (my fault)
They seem to last about 3-4 years before they start needing more regular trickle charging. I recently changed to an Odyssey Extreme PC680. I'm very happy with it. Starts right up every time. I also added a battery cutoff, which gives me peace of mind that there isn't anything draining the battery when it's parked.
Title: Re: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: Shrimps on April 07, 2024, 07:08:08 PM
Quote from: Red Riley on April 07, 2024, 05:35:51 AMI recently changed to an Odyssey Extreme PC680. I'm very happy with it. Starts right up every time. I also added a battery cutoff, which gives me peace of mind that there isn't anything draining the battery when it's parked.
Glad to hear you're happy with the Odyssey PC680 as I ended up ordering one last week.  Supposed to be here Thursday.  I have a battery cutoff that I always use when the car is at home which I imagine is how my flooded group 24 battery lasted nearly 14 years.
Title: Re: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: Red Riley on April 16, 2024, 05:36:59 AM
I bought my Odyssey battery at the Batteries+ store. Pro tip: when it gets within a month or two of the guaranteed free replacement date, take it back and get a new one for free. They don't ask whether it's good or bad, they just hand you a new one.
Title: Re: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: Shrimps on May 09, 2024, 08:30:25 PM
Quote from: Red Riley on April 16, 2024, 05:36:59 AMI bought my Odyssey battery at the Batteries+ store. Pro tip: when it gets within a month or two of the guaranteed free replacement date, take it back and get a new one for free. They don't ask whether it's good or bad, they just hand you a new one.
Is the guaranteed free replacement a Batteries+ thing or Odyssey battery thing?

I bought mine from FCP Euro and they claim a lifetime warranty on their parts.  Supposedly valid for oil too.  :idunno:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee
Title: Re: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: BruceK on May 11, 2024, 07:59:27 AM
Quote from: Shrimps on May 09, 2024, 08:30:25 PM
Quote from: Red Riley on April 16, 2024, 05:36:59 AMI bought my Odyssey battery at the Batteries+ store. Pro tip: when it gets within a month or two of the guaranteed free replacement date, take it back and get a new one for free. They don't ask whether it's good or bad, they just hand you a new one.
Is the guaranteed free replacement a Batteries+ thing or Odyssey battery thing?

I bought mine from FCP Euro and they claim a lifetime warranty on their parts.  Supposedly valid for oil too.  :idunno:

https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee


That's an incredible policy! It even includes wear items like brake pads. Wow.
Title: Re: Lightweight Starter Battery
Post by: MiniDave on May 11, 2024, 08:22:38 AM
When I went to FCP Euro to look at that PC680 battery, it gave me a different part number....

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/powersport-battery-odyssey-pc680 (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/powersport-battery-odyssey-pc680)

Reading the specs it says it only has 170 cold cranking amps - I wonder if that's near enough? It also says it doesn't come with terminals?