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Cheap, small battery suggestion for 951 race car

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Old 05-29-2012, 11:14 AM
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MarkRobinson
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Default Cheap, small battery suggestion for 951 race car

Hi guys,

I need to buy a battery for a car I'm selling for a buddy: gutted '86 widebody 951 race car. I know you can use really small batteries, but don't want something that someone will have to constantly keep hooked up to a trickle charger, & don't want/need to spend $100 on a 30lb battery:

Walmart/AutoZone suggestions??

Thanks,

Mark
Old 05-29-2012, 11:39 AM
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Van
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I've seen riding mower batteries used... Personally, I've been very happy with my Odyssey - but it's more than $100.
Old 05-29-2012, 11:44 AM
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rlm328
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I had a wheel chair battery ($40 to $50). For a couple of years. Agree with above I now hae an Odessey (sp?)
Old 05-29-2012, 11:49 AM
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JustinL
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I tried Shorai and it didn't last one season. Friend had the same experience as me, so I would stay away until they sort them out a bit better. When it worked it was amazing and weighed almost nothing.
Old 05-29-2012, 11:52 AM
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400hp944
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PM Tony G or maybe he will chime in. He is using what I believe to be a Harley motorcycle battery in his track car.
Old 05-30-2012, 01:33 AM
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Dave W.
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Batteryspec.com
BAB26-12 or BAB30-12
Old 05-30-2012, 02:07 AM
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95ONE
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I used the odyssey for a bit. 220 cca isn't much though and barely started my motor if it was cold. (takes a few more cranks than a warm day.) Harsh news on the Shorai. I just bought one.
Old 05-30-2012, 03:31 AM
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Dave W.
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BAB22-12 is the same size and same weight as the Oddysey PC680, but half the price.
http://www.batteryspec.com/cgi-bin/c...ink&product=22

If you still have stock radio, amps, afterrun turbo coolant pump, and alarm, get a larger battery.
Old 05-30-2012, 11:03 AM
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MarkRobinson
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Yeah, I might put my battery in the race car as it's 3 years old already (standard 944 battery) & just go with a new one...or keep mine & put a cheapo in it: it's gotta kill switch so that'll help.
Old 05-30-2012, 11:41 AM
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JustinL
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Originally Posted by 95ONE
I used the odyssey for a bit. 220 cca isn't much though and barely started my motor if it was cold. (takes a few more cranks than a warm day.) Harsh news on the Shorai. I just bought one.
I'm going to try another one too, but this time I'm going to use more foam to try to isolate more vibration... don't know if that will make a lick of difference though.
Old 05-30-2012, 12:33 PM
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TonyG
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There's nothing wrong with the Shorai. They are great.

If you have a problem with it, it's because your output voltage from the alternator is too low. These are Lipo batteries and will die quickly if the voltage drops too low. I think with the Shorai it's 13.5V. That said, you can tweak the alternator out put so that this doesn't occur.

TonyG
Old 05-31-2012, 02:45 AM
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theedge
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NAPA, Deka ETX18L or smaller if you like.



Old 05-31-2012, 11:21 AM
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MarkRobinson
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So a 300cca battery works at least: that's good to know.

Mark
Old 05-31-2012, 11:37 AM
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XR4Tim
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Originally Posted by 95ONE
I used the odyssey for a bit. 220 cca isn't much though and barely started my motor if it was cold. (takes a few more cranks than a warm day.) Harsh news on the Shorai. I just bought one.
I have an Odyssey in my Typhoon (rear mounted), and if it's not fully charged, it won't crank the engine over. It's a nice size, but I'll be looking at stronger batteries soon.
Old 05-31-2012, 10:16 PM
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95ONE
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Xsdwe
Originally Posted by JustinL
I tried Shorai and it didn't last one season. Friend had the same experience as me, so I would stay away until they sort them out a bit better. When it worked it was amazing and weighed almost nothing.
I just went over the shorai web site and specs. The battery cannot take a charge using more than 24 amps. Our alternators are way more. I'm pretty sure this is the problem. I might rig the battery up with a clamped charge load of 20 amps with some magic circuitry. I think I will run a 16 volt alternator to solve my fuel delivery needs. (fuel pump flows crazy at 16-18volts) That will also run my ignition, water pump, and fans with that voltage. I will install a step down for all the accessories. That's the game plan for now anyway. Its a work in progress.

Last edited by 95ONE; 06-01-2012 at 02:39 PM.


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