Lightweight Batteries, Comprehensive Information to help your decision Options

[Tigawoods]

Inform me of any mistakes!


Lightweight AGM/GEL batteries are a great alternative and are sometimes priced nearly the same as regular Lead Acid batteries


Just to touch on a few of the basics before we begin:

Cold Cranking Amps:

CCA is critical for good cranking ability. It's the number of amps a battery can support for 30 seconds at a temperature of 0 degrees F until the battery voltage drops to unusable levels. A 12V battery with a rating of 600 CCA means the battery will provide 600 amps for 30 seconds at 0 degrees before the voltage falls to 7.20 V (six cells).

In general, with CCA, the higher the number the better. HOWEVER, if you live in a cold climate, the CCA rating should be an important consideration in choosing a battery. Conversely, if you live in a high heat climate, you don't need as much CCA.


Battery Types:
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) - i.e. Braille and Optima
Gel Cell - i.e. Oddessy

A couple differences between Gel and AGM
Gel batteries tend to lose power faster than AGM batteries in temperatures below 32°F. AGM batteries, on the other hand, excel in high current and high power applications as well as extremely cold environments.
Gel batteries typically have a higher price point, shorter life span and less size compatibility than their AGM counterparts.

Benefits of Lightweight Sealed Batteries
- can be mounted and used in almost any position (versus conventional batteries, which must remain upright)
- are sealed and non-spillable
- maintenance-free
- no fume emissions (trace)
- more resistant to vibration


Here is a detailed list of aftermarket batteries that may or may not fit your applications. If you want to get extreme, some of the lightweight batteries like Oddessy, Deka, Braille, etc are great. Although rugged they tend to lack the reliability of a large lead acid battery. Take this into consideration. Especially if your in a colder climate.


As far as I know - All the CCA for the manufacturers is done at 0F, and the CA at 32F, all this info is off the manufacturers websites.

If you want 100% factory reliability even at 0F you want to be shopping around for something that will have at least 360CCA.
For those of you where the weather gets in the negative digits (F) you will want something that has a CCA > 360 at 0F

If your car isnt on an extreme diet or you are trying to allocate space for other go-fast bits just stick with a regular lead acid store bought battery

READ THIS:
Deka Batteries are more than likely to be Deka ETX rebadged -- Their advertised CCA IS PROBABLY NOT PERFORMED AT 0F.
The Deka brand are the exact same battery as the Braille, just MUCH CHEAPER. Just different labeling. Braille operates under Deka.
(as of 2012)


AVG Weight of a regular replacement battery is around 37lbs.


By Brand:


Braille:
Braille B3121 ----------CCA: 550 ---- weight: 21lb ---------------- CA: 742
Braille B2015 ----------CCA: 425 ---- weight: 15lb ---------------- CA: 574
Braille B14115 ---------CCA: 360 ---- weight: 11lb,8oz ------------ CA: 486
Braille B106 -----------CCA: 210 ---- weight: 6lb,6oz ------------- CA: 283
The Braille B2317 and B2317R are meant to be combined (One Positively Charged the other Negative) To be able to run 24v
Information pertaining to the conditions the Braille batteries where tested in where not listed, Therefore the u
nusually high CCA kind of disproves the statement that DEKA and Braille are not similar but I am working on more info on that.

Deka:
Deka ETX30 -----------CCA: 370 ---- weight: 21.7lb
Deka ETX20 -----------CCA: 270 ---- weight: 15.5lb
Deka ETX18 -----------CCA: 300 ---- weight: 18lb
Deka ETX16 -----------CCA: 275 ---- weight: 17lb
Deka ETX14 -----------CCA: 200 ---- weight: 12lb
Deka ETX12 -----------CCA: 180 ---- weight: 9.4lb
Deka ETX9 -----------CCA: 120 ---- weight: 6.3lb


Odyssey:
Odyssey PC680 --------CCA: 220 --- weight: 15lb / 16lb For MJT*
Odyssey PC925/MJT ---CCA: 380 --- weight: 24lb / 26lb For MJT*

Optima:
Optima 34&34R --------CCA 800 -----weight: 37.9lb --------------- CA: 1000 (34R has reversed terminals)
Optima 37/78 ----------CCA 800 ---- weight: 38.8lb --------------- CA: 1000
Optima 75/25 ----------CCA 720 ---- weight: 33.1lb --------------- CA: 910
Optima 25&35 ---------CCA 720 ----- weight: 31.7lb --------------- CA: 910

Duralast:
Duralast 8AMU1R ------CCA: 330 ---- weight: 20lb
AGM Duracell Ultra SLIU1RT ------CCA:370 ---- weight: 24lbs

Marathon:
Marathon MAR-8AMU1R-CCA: 320 ---- weight: 25lb



By CCA:
Optima 34&34R --------CCA 800 -----weight: 37.9lb -------------- CA: 1000
Optima 37/78 ----------CCA 800 ---- weight: 38.8lb -------------- CA: 1000
Optima 75/25 ----------CCA 720 ---- weight: 33.1lb -------------- CA: 910
Optima 25&35 ---------CCA 720 ----- weight: 31.7lb -------------- CA: 910
Braille B3121 ----------CCA: 550 ---- weight: 21lb ---------------- CA: 742
Westco Miata ---------CCA: 475 ---- weight: 25lb
Braille B2015 ----------CCA: 425 ---- weight: 15lb ---------------- CA: 574
Odyssey PC925/MJT ---CCA: 380 ---- weight: 24lb / 26lb For MJT*
Deka ETX30 -----------CCA: 370 ---- weight: 21.7lb
Duracell Ultra SLIU1RT AGM ------CCA:370 ---- weight: 24lbs
Braille B14115 ---------CCA: 360 ---- weight: 11lb,8oz ------------ CA: 486
Duralast 8AMU1R ------CCA: 330 ---- weight: 20lb
Marathon MAR-8AMU1R-CCA: 320 ---- weight: 25lb
Deka ETX18 -----------CCA: 300 ---- weight: 18lb
Deka ETX16 -----------CCA: 275 ---- weight: 17lb
Deka ETX20 -----------CCA: 270 ---- weight: 15.5lb
Odyssey PC680 --------CCA: 220 ---- weight: 15lb / 16lb For MJT*
Braille B106 -----------CCA: 210 ---- weight: 6lb,6oz ------------- CA: 283
Deka ETX14 -----------CCA: 200 ---- weight: 12lb
Deka ETX12 -----------CCA: 180 ---- weight: 9.4lb
Deka ETX9 -----------CCA: 120 ---- weight: 6.3lb

By Weight:
Optima 37/78 ----------CCA 800 ---- weight: 38.8lb --------------- CA: 1000
Optima 34&34R --------CCA 800 -----weight: 37.9lb --------------- CA: 1000
Optima 75/25 ----------CCA 720 ---- weight: 33.1lb --------------- CA: 910
Optima 25&35 ---------CCA 720 ----- weight: 31.7lb --------------- CA: 910
Westco Miata ---------CCA: 475 ---- weight: 25lb
Marathon MAR-8AMU1R-CCA: 320 ---- weight: 25lb
AGM Duracell Ultra SLIU1RT ------CCA:370 ---- weight: 24lbs
Odyssey PC925/MJT ---CCA: 380 --- weight: 24lb / 26lb For MJT*
Deka ETX30 -----------CCA: 370 ---- weight: 21.7lb
Braille B3121 ----------CCA: 550 ---- weight: 21lb ---------------- CA: 742
Duralast 8AMU1R ------CCA: 330 ---- weight: 20lb
Braille B14115 ---------CCA: 360 ---- weight: 11lb,8oz ------------ CA: 486
Deka ETX18 -----------CCA: 300 ---- weight: 18lb
Deka ETX16 -----------CCA: 275 ---- weight: 17lb
Deka ETX20 -----------CCA: 270 ---- weight: 15.5lb
Odyssey PC680 --------CCA: 220 --- weight: 15lb / 16lb For MJT*
Braille B2015 ----------CCA: 425 ---- weight: 15lb ---------------- CA: 574
Deka ETX14 -----------CCA: 200 ---- weight: 12lb
Deka ETX12 -----------CCA: 180 ---- weight: 9.4lb
Braille B106 -----------CCA: 210 ---- weight: 6lb,6oz ------------- CA: 283
Deka ETX9 -----------CCA: 120 ---- weight: 6.3lb



*MJT: Metal Jacket + Terminals (MJT is applied to protect plastic case for extreme high heat conditions)


Warranty Information:

In my opinion this is a critical area when deciding which battery to go with. I will add more information as I get it.

Marathon MAR-8AMU1R (1Year Warranty)
Westco 12V31M (4 Year Warranty)
Duralast 8AMU1R (8Year Warranty - apparently WAS avaible at autozone)



More info:

DEKA:
Come with M6 Thread on terminals - you will need adapter to SAE automotive Terminals.
Rebadged as BigCrank, Braille and other brands // BigCrank has a cheap price.

This post has been edited by Tigawoods: Mar 8, 2016 - 7:12 AM

[808celica]

What about using other car batteries in our cars, especially if you're doing a batt relocation?

The Honda Half-Brick group 51r and 51??? Pretty light and should do the job. Optima Yel51 is pretty light already. But then again it is also still a Half-brick. I'll look into some catalogs at work for some batteries

[Tigawoods]

yeah post up what you come up with

[BonzaiCelica]

since you do autocross, I'd suggest moving the light weight battery to the passenger side floor (to take the wheel off the front of the car, thus creating less understeer) well I don't have to spoon feed you this info, your probably know more than I do

[808celica]

dont forget, half your job is to remind me about this.........

[yellowchinaman]

sooooo size is most important for me which is why I'm using a caterham banner battery.
Which one of these are of a similar size or even smaller yet has a good crank and strong load because I know my battery isn't that good on load in these cold weather temps.

[Tigawoods]

since you do autocross, I'd suggest moving the light weight battery to the passenger side floor (to take the wheel off the front of the car, thus creating less understeer) well I don't have to spoon feed you this info, your probably know more than I do

Eventually I would like to do that. Either the passenger area or the rear passenger seat area.

dont forget, half your job is to remind me about this.........

You are a big boy! Im not holding you're hand ANYMORE!!!

sooooo size is most important for me which is why I'm using a caterham banner battery.
Which one of these are of a similar size or even smaller yet has a good crank and strong load because I know my battery isn't that good on load in these cold weather temps.

You can grab the model number listed and search for it. The Caterham is a medium sized battery, with only 300CCA.

For a reliable long lasting lightweight battery you will have to look at the ones in the 21LB range

Any lighter and you are looking at batteries that are used for a dedicated weekend track car.

I am still looking into the reliability of the Braille batteries and their 11lb 360cca battery.

This post has been edited by Tigawoods: Feb 13, 2012 - 9:39 AM

[yellowchinaman]

The Caterham is a medium sized battery, with only 300CCA.

Really? I always thought it was the smallest as I couldn't find any battery with enough cranking power smaller than the caterham banner battery.

[BonzaiCelica]

hehe I'm so glad our so cal weather (controlled by the government) is nice all year around!! It gets 45-100 degree all year around. So even the smallest battery have enough crank amps to fire up the celi on a winter day

[Tigawoods]

The Caterham is a medium sized battery, with only 300CCA.

Really? I always thought it was the smallest as I couldn't find any battery with enough cranking power smaller than the caterham banner battery.

The Braille may have a lighter one with more CCA but I still havent confirmed it yet.

hehe I'm so glad our so cal weather (controlled by the government) is nice all year around!! It gets 45-100 degree all year around. So even the smallest battery have enough crank amps to fire up the celi on a winter day

DAMN YOU!!

[yellowchinaman]

I'll try and lok it up Tigs but pls do let me know if you find out first.
Another option I've been thinking is if one of these can fit within the arm rest storage. Doesn't matter if its taller cos I can sink it in deeper.

[Bitter]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DUI-5575B/

I'm thinking about one of those, but I don't know how well they do with sitting around for periods of time.

[DGolden32]

Consider a Dry cell battery. They are more expensive per Amp hour, but are perfect for a lightweight, high output application if you dont mind payin a bit extra

Shuriken BT60 (about $160 shipped)has a CA rating of 1500 and weighs 36.8 lbs.

Shuriken BT35 (about $120 shipped) has a CA rating of 950 and weighs 25.5 lbs.

Shuriken BT20 (about $79 shipped)has a CA rating of 850 and weighs only 14 lbs.


I havent seen the CCA rating for these, but i believe dry cells are less sensitive to temperature. I am not 100% sure about that though

[SwissFerdi]

^ That's hella cheap, and 14 pounds. I think I may have found my next battery, assuming it can deal with my temperature range. I'm in the same conditions as Bonzai.

[BonzaiCelica]

^ That's hella cheap, and 14 pounds. I think I may have found my next battery, assuming it can deal with my temperature range. I'm in the same conditions as Bonzai.

yea seems to be a real good battery! http://www.sonicelectronix.com/reviews.php?product_id=17907

only complaint i've seen is that the terminals aren't the greatest... but nonetheless cheap battery

[Bitter]

Around 650 CCA on that BT20. Rough rule of thumb is to divide CA by 1.25 and round down a little. Not bad for a little battery, I may just roll with that then. I have some threaded battery post terminals already.

[DGolden32]

DISCLAIMER

The [20] is for the amp hours. That being said, be extra vigilant about leavin those interior lights on 8)

[Bitter]

All LED interior lighting here.

[Tigawoods]

finally settled on one and got a Braille B2105 15lb battery
along with it I got a Battery Tender Plus to maintain the batteries charge while it sits in the garage over the next few months.
Im curious to see how the battery holds up come the summertime when I start driving the car

[playr158]

why you no relocate?