Light weight / Odyssey battery users, pictures of brackets?
07-08-2006, 10:05 AM
#16
BTW, that battery can be purchased at Auto Zone. Yes...I said AZ.
The Deka model many use is a ETX14. While in AZ last week, I took a look at their gel cell batteries. I noticed their model numbers were ETX12, ETX14, ETX16 etc, just like the Deka model numbers. When I looked on the boxes, it said manufactured by EPM (East Penn Manufacturing) the same company that makes Deka, Braille, and a bunch of other batteries labeled for private label distribution.
I figured I'd give it a shot. Got it home, hooked it up, and the car started with exactly the same effort as the old stock-sized battery. Only AZ Hub stores stock it, not all their stores. So if your local AZ doesn't have it, ask which store in the area is their Hub store. $69.99 plus $5 core charge. 1 year limited warranty, with 3 month free replacement.
Oh, and 26 pound reduction in weight from stock battery to this one (with mounting hardware included.)
The Deka model many use is a ETX14. While in AZ last week, I took a look at their gel cell batteries. I noticed their model numbers were ETX12, ETX14, ETX16 etc, just like the Deka model numbers. When I looked on the boxes, it said manufactured by EPM (East Penn Manufacturing) the same company that makes Deka, Braille, and a bunch of other batteries labeled for private label distribution.
I figured I'd give it a shot. Got it home, hooked it up, and the car started with exactly the same effort as the old stock-sized battery. Only AZ Hub stores stock it, not all their stores. So if your local AZ doesn't have it, ask which store in the area is their Hub store. $69.99 plus $5 core charge. 1 year limited warranty, with 3 month free replacement.
Oh, and 26 pound reduction in weight from stock battery to this one (with mounting hardware included.)
07-08-2006, 02:56 PM
#18
Originally Posted by OriginalSterm
Which AZ Jim?
They don't have auto posts for the batteries. The batteries come with 6mm bolts, but they are too short for the battery cables. I used 6X1.0 (thread pitch) X30mm bolts and used large washers. Works fine.
07-08-2006, 08:12 PM
#21
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Albany, CA: celebrating 100 years of independence from Berkeley, CA
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Ok... I was going to post pictures earlier, but I got distracted with cars breaking down....
I took some aluminum plumbing brackets I found at the local hardware store (~$8) -- they are about 2 inches wide and used for earthquake-proofing plumbing. The holes in them are just the same size as the existing stud where the battery clamps down. I just bent them so that the fit is just right, and wrapped the battery with it. I mounted it standing up using the 17mm bolt that's already there. Required zero welding or drilling.
It's a ghetto-mount, but it's secure and passed track tech....
I took some aluminum plumbing brackets I found at the local hardware store (~$8) -- they are about 2 inches wide and used for earthquake-proofing plumbing. The holes in them are just the same size as the existing stud where the battery clamps down. I just bent them so that the fit is just right, and wrapped the battery with it. I mounted it standing up using the 17mm bolt that's already there. Required zero welding or drilling.
It's a ghetto-mount, but it's secure and passed track tech....
07-08-2006, 09:04 PM
#22
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Joseph, that looks like the most easy solution and one i thought up using a couple pieces of wood mending straps. Anyhow i am curious.. with the PC680 battery, what kind of clearance do you get between the hood and the battery terminals?
07-08-2006, 09:09 PM
#23
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Well, I just slammed down the hood with a slice of bread on the battery, and the bread survived unscathed. I still wouldn't eat it though. The top of the battery post is a little higher than the top of the firewall weatherstripping -- but there is an indentation in the hood that allows the fit.
07-15-2006, 09:42 PM
#25
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Just wanted to thank everyone for the pictures. I just finished putting in the battery.
My old Diehard battery weighed in at 43 lbs using the bathroom scale.. the PC680MJ i put in was something like 15 lbs. So a total of 28 lbs shaved off.
I used mounting method similar to what Joe did. Its sturdy enough, but i think i may eventually do something like the wood piece wedged into the slots. I dont know how tech will react to my very ghetto looking mount with some strange looking bends..
.
I just hope the digital clock dosent put to much strain on the battery....
My old Diehard battery weighed in at 43 lbs using the bathroom scale.. the PC680MJ i put in was something like 15 lbs. So a total of 28 lbs shaved off.
I used mounting method similar to what Joe did. Its sturdy enough, but i think i may eventually do something like the wood piece wedged into the slots. I dont know how tech will react to my very ghetto looking mount with some strange looking bends..
.I just hope the digital clock dosent put to much strain on the battery....
07-15-2006, 11:33 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
Just curious, is this car daily driven? Do you use a stereo, etc? Not trying to **** on your thread - I have played with this idea too - but with a 3x smaller CCA, 8x smaller CA, and a 4x smaller RC (as compared to most conventional batteries), it really didn't seem adequate enough to do anything more than simply keep the car running.
I'd like some feedback on this matter. Thanks.
I'd like some feedback on this matter. Thanks.
07-16-2006, 01:15 AM
#27
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
The car is my daily driver. I have a Alpine reciever with upgraded 4x6 speakers in the doors and in the rear position, thats it. Nothing crazy for audio. I took the car out tonight, plenty of off and on driving. No problems at all. Also running Iceshark's headlight wireharness.
I do plan to take the battery out during the winter, from October through April.
My car sat for 2.5 months unused with the battery still connected and it had no problems starting up when i got back from over seas. So i know for sure i do not have any strange drainage issues.
My friend has the same exact battery on his EvoIII, granted his engine is not as high compression, he ran his year round in NY winters without issues. That also includes many times sitting with the radio on in a parking lot with the car off.
The battery i got is the Odyssey PC-680MJ. I bought the metal jacket one because my friend has a dealer account and was able to get the metal jacket for only an extra $3.
Here are the specs on it...
# 12 Volt
# 16 Ah @ 10hr rate
# 220 CCA
# 680 Cranking Amps for 5 Seconds
# 24 Minute Reserve Capacity
# Cycle life @ 77°F 400 at 100% DOD
# -40°F to 140°F Temperature Range
I do plan to take the battery out during the winter, from October through April.
My car sat for 2.5 months unused with the battery still connected and it had no problems starting up when i got back from over seas. So i know for sure i do not have any strange drainage issues.
My friend has the same exact battery on his EvoIII, granted his engine is not as high compression, he ran his year round in NY winters without issues. That also includes many times sitting with the radio on in a parking lot with the car off.
The battery i got is the Odyssey PC-680MJ. I bought the metal jacket one because my friend has a dealer account and was able to get the metal jacket for only an extra $3.
Here are the specs on it...
# 12 Volt
# 16 Ah @ 10hr rate
# 220 CCA
# 680 Cranking Amps for 5 Seconds
# 24 Minute Reserve Capacity
# Cycle life @ 77°F 400 at 100% DOD
# -40°F to 140°F Temperature Range
Last edited by Techno Duck; 07-16-2006 at 01:36 AM.
