[60man]

Triming some weight of my barge without cuting it up.
Just curiuos what some of you guys are running for batterys in your RACE cars.
My 508 has 13.8- 1 CR and run electric fan,water pump,fuel pump,& ignition circuit.
I had strating problems years ago and went with a dual battery setup. Think I have that cured now.I just pulled one battery out and saved 49 pounds ! The remaining one is a large Marine battery which cranks car fine...but take forever to charge back to 100%
It also weighs more that the one I took out !
Thinking about going to one of the new lightweight racing batterys.
My battery is trunk mounted.
Anybody have any comments as to what they are using.
I tried the Optima's a while back and it didn't last...
Thinking of the XS Power or Braille lightweights..
Thanks..
Oh yeah...how much CCA are you using to crank what ??

[ponjohn]

Troy-

I recently had issue with a red top optima. What I found out was you can not let them go flat. This compromises the life.

Some pople had great luck some did not, the ones that loved them had a battery tender on them. The ones, myself included that had bad luck with them allowed to discharge.

There is no scientific data to my claim just from what I have gotten out of speaking to different people. I bought a new red top and will maintain it properly and see how long it lasts.

John

[fasteddy]

I have been running the same Red Top Optima for 5 years--never has let me down. I run an alternator and I charge during at rest cooling. My next one will be another Optima Red Top. Troy, most guys would lighten the front and fatten the rear of the car. I know guys that will run 2 batteries in parallel or 2 six volters in series for the extra rear weight.

[60man]

Originally Posted by fasteddy

I have been running the same Red Top Optima for 5 years--never has let me down. I run an alternator and I charge during at rest cooling. My next one will be another Optima Red Top. Troy, most guys would lighten the front and fatten the rear of the car. I know guys that will run 2 batteries in parallel or 2 six volters in series for the extra rear weight.

I run a alternator too....charged between rounds..???
Reason #2 for extra battery was for more weight in right rear of car. I have a "new" suspension (4 link) and doing well with traction...so...I want to take one out for weight savings and see what happens with traction & starting.....if I don't need the weight....I was thinking of going lightweight..
Got to lighten this boat a little to be a reliable high ten second car....for 11.00 index....
Deep cycle battery's take so long to charge......I had two comerical high cycle battery's on my tool truck. They charged up QUICK....but weighed a ton.....

[Ron H]

There was a guy here who switched to 2 Braille lightweight batteries, 6 lbs each. He saved almost 80 lbs over Yellow Optima batteries. He was very happy.

[fasteddy]

Yellow Optimas are deep cycle batteries. They are made for RVs and electric trolling motors. The red Optimas are for quick charging and automotive use. The Brailles sound interesting. Ron, are they terribly expensive? I have a friend who has expressed an interest in lighter batteries.

[Ron H]

Around 240 a battery I believe.

[60man]

XS battery's start at $109.99 for the twelve volts...15-33 pounds depending on amps..

Braille starts at $149.95 and goes up...15-21 pounds !!!!! Depending on CCA's...

[455firebird1969]

I just replaced my Optima red top, I got 5 years out of it...

I put in another same sized unit, Optima red top, I like the fact they are sealed, cant spill, and no ventelation requirements...

I run am alternator, and I keep it topped off...

[Probird]

I run the Optima red top batteries as well. Two of them. They have been in there for 4 years now. Haven't had any problems with them at all. I don't run an alternator and charge between rounds. I really don't need to but I figure I might as well keep them up. It probably helps with consistancy. I think I can probably make around 8 passses or so before I would have a problem starting the car.

[60man]

How much do the Red Top Optima's weigh ???

[455firebird1969]

I didnt weigh mine, so this is more of a WAG, but it felt just like a lead acid style battery, so I dont think your gonna save much weight with one...

[Ron H]

The $240 Braille are 6 lbs and carbon fiber.

[GTOLIB]

Originally Posted by 60man

How much do the Red Top Optima's weigh ???

just weighed the one in my garage ,40lbs

guess that's why they put a handle on it

[Geoff]

60 man,
Are you running a batt [-] cable from the battery to the block, or grounding the battery through the frame/body? Losing a full length the cable will remove some weight.

[HWYSTR455]

I use an Odyssey in the T/A, the 825 cca version, which is 1025 cca at 32 degrees. Deep cycle batteries are made to be discharged very low, and charge back easily without compromising battery life. Because of that, you can run a less-amp battery, as long as you charge between rounds or trickle while it's sitting. The 385 amp Odyssey weights only 26 lbs, for example. It's dry, and can be mounted at any angle. The 550 amp weights 38 lbs, and would obviously require less re-charge. If you run an alt, you could probably get away with the 385.

The other thing to consider is the type of charger you use. Cheap-o chargers actually do a poor job of charging, so do yourself a favor and buy a nice one. Odyssey makes a really nice 25 amp charger that would speed charges to minutes. PowerMaster makes a nice 20 amp model. The REALLY nice chargers run over $500, but don't think you really need that. The $250 models do just fine....

[326HO-Lemans]

One other thing to keep in mind is that the Optima cannot handle too high of a charging voltage. It needs to be less than 14v. I killed 2 of them with a Shumacher charger that puts out almost 16V on the AGM setting.

[cgeise]

I also use the Odyssey - the 1500 will give you over 1700 crank amps when warm - and recharges very fast - after some research seems to be the best one going - although it is heavier than the lite wieght stuff -