Experience with lightweight batteries?
12-24-2018, 05:06 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
Man o man!! I’d love to buy a battery to replace my five year old garage queen’s Diehard that would last eight years. But sometimes old tech is the best. The last thing I want to worry about is my car’s battery and maintaining it. Once a year with the Diehard I’ll top up the cells with distilled water and that’s it.
12-24-2018, 05:56 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
Those sentiments are probably correct but I have seen the old style batteries vents get clogged (well one time) gasses built up and the top blew off so far it went straight up 15 feet and left the buildings ceiling insulation ripped open with it's impression. I say go with a sealed or agm style. I don't want acid spilling in my frunk either from the old style. Volt freaks seems nice but iirc they always say for off road use only.
Again the Braille does not have a problem going completely dead. It has a problem how you charge it back up from dead and that does not damage like with the other batteries. Spyerx - you are correct - I do not believe the Braille has a circuit so that could have prevented this too.
Again the Braille does not have a problem going completely dead. It has a problem how you charge it back up from dead and that does not damage like with the other batteries. Spyerx - you are correct - I do not believe the Braille has a circuit so that could have prevented this too.
12-24-2018, 06:07 PM
#18
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I have a dead Braille motorcycle battery sitting in my utility room. The battery is about 4 years old and has never been use, been sitting on PO's bench (this is for a race Miata), than mine. The Braille attitude towards this $169 dead wonder is "tough luck". OK. I can get a Deka or any other brand from East Penn for about 1/3 the price and not have to deal with this. Not sure what to do with this particular one, though, other than using it as a future core exchange. I don't currently need any more door stops.
For a 993 I get Interstate cosmetic blems. $70 a pop, 2-year replacement warranty that actually works as I've just replaced mine under that warranty a month ago (I suspect my own fault in killing it, actually, but it's n questions asked replacement). And a local Interstate distribution center is actually a pleasure to deal with over the last dozen years or so that I've bought from them. I can see going through pain with my autocross car that weigh under 2,100 lbs. With a street 993, especially with the battery sitting where it is... why would I want a lightweight lithium there at all?
For a 993 I get Interstate cosmetic blems. $70 a pop, 2-year replacement warranty that actually works as I've just replaced mine under that warranty a month ago (I suspect my own fault in killing it, actually, but it's n questions asked replacement). And a local Interstate distribution center is actually a pleasure to deal with over the last dozen years or so that I've bought from them. I can see going through pain with my autocross car that weigh under 2,100 lbs. With a street 993, especially with the battery sitting where it is... why would I want a lightweight lithium there at all?
12-24-2018, 06:37 PM
#19
Rennlist Member
I have a dead Braille motorcycle battery sitting in my utility room. The battery is about 4 years old and has never been use, been sitting on PO's bench (this is for a race Miata), than mine. The Braille attitude towards this $169 dead wonder is "tough luck". OK. I can get a Deka or any other brand from East Penn for about 1/3 the price and not have to deal with this. Not sure what to do with this particular one, though, other than using it as a future core exchange. I don't currently need any more door stops.
For a 993 I get Interstate cosmetic blems. $70 a pop, 2-year replacement warranty that actually works as I've just replaced mine under that warranty a month ago (I suspect my own fault in killing it, actually, but it's n questions asked replacement). And a local Interstate distribution center is actually a pleasure to deal with over the last dozen years or so that I've bought from them. I can see going through pain with my autocross car that weigh under 2,100 lbs. With a street 993, especially with the battery sitting where it is... why would I want a lightweight lithium there at all?
For a 993 I get Interstate cosmetic blems. $70 a pop, 2-year replacement warranty that actually works as I've just replaced mine under that warranty a month ago (I suspect my own fault in killing it, actually, but it's n questions asked replacement). And a local Interstate distribution center is actually a pleasure to deal with over the last dozen years or so that I've bought from them. I can see going through pain with my autocross car that weigh under 2,100 lbs. With a street 993, especially with the battery sitting where it is... why would I want a lightweight lithium there at all?
The on off switch on the battery is incredibly convenient when wrenching on the car. And you can turn the battery off from inside the cabin with an optional remote push button.
Admittedly I bought the VP for weight savings, but I’m growing accustomed to all the great features and would not hesitate to install th VP in a car used just on the street.
Similar to many aftermarket racing product disclaimers, VP batteries are rated for track use only. VP Batteries have a 2 year full warranty and a 45 day return policy with a 5% restocking fee.
No affiliation, just a happy customer.
12-24-2018, 07:22 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
My vented Interstate MTX 48/H6, installed at an Interstate Center, has sealed caps, not allowing checking of levels. Curious what Interstate model a previous poster has that allows levels to be inspected?
As Jim above states, and I've had this discussion with Jeff Gamroth several times, saving 40+ pounds, wherever in the car, but particularly on the side where the driver sits, makes sense. Rothsport installs many of them, not just in track or heavily massaged cars. Not sure what brand, but will find out and post.
As Jim above states, and I've had this discussion with Jeff Gamroth several times, saving 40+ pounds, wherever in the car, but particularly on the side where the driver sits, makes sense. Rothsport installs many of them, not just in track or heavily massaged cars. Not sure what brand, but will find out and post.
12-24-2018, 08:39 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
At $950 to $1,300 for the VoltPhreaks, I'll stick with my Odyssey 925s at $180 a pop. I'm kind of free with money when it comes to the 993, but, damn, that's ridiculous coin for something that sits on a tender 98% of its life. Even if the price dropped to $500, I really wouldn't be more inclined to buy it unless it could last twenty years and be idiot-proof. I'd be so pissed at myself if I screwed up a $500 battery and needed to replace it.
Good for you guys who want and/or can afford this power supply.
Good for you guys who want and/or can afford this power supply.
12-24-2018, 08:41 PM
#22
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Jim, I clearly mentioned above that I believe I killed it. Not to get into details, I did something painfully dumb, especially for a former Electrical engineer.
Leave your lights on just once in a remote location somewhere and you’ll come to understand why Voltphreaks. I’ve been daily driving my 964 this winter with the Voltphreaks, and no issues this far despite temps in the teens. Most lithium batteries are rated to 32 degrees. Voltphreaks is rated to minus 20 degrees. And the Low Voltage Cutoff (“LVC”) technology will automatically turn the battery off if you leave the lights on or if parasitic draw is slowly draining the battery.
The on off switch on the battery is incredibly convenient when wrenching on the car. And you can turn the battery off from inside the cabin with an optional remote push button.
Admittedly I bought the VP for weight savings, but I’m growing accustomed to all the great features and would not hesitate to install th VP in a car used just on the street.
Similar to many aftermarket racing product disclaimers, VP batteries are rated for track use only. VP Batteries have a 2 year full warranty and a 45 day return policy with a 5% restocking fee.
No affiliation, just a happy customer.
Similar to many aftermarket racing product disclaimers, VP batteries are rated for track use only. VP Batteries have a 2 year full warranty and a 45 day return policy with a 5% restocking fee.
No affiliation, just a happy customer.
12-24-2018, 11:04 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
My vented Interstate MTX 48/H6, installed at an Interstate Center, has sealed caps, not allowing checking of levels. Curious what Interstate model a previous poster has that allows levels to be inspected?
As Jim above states, and I've had this discussion with Jeff Gamroth several times, saving 40+ pounds, wherever in the car, but particularly on the side where the driver sits, makes sense. Rothsport installs many of them, not just in track or heavily massaged cars. Not sure what brand, but will find out and post.
As Jim above states, and I've had this discussion with Jeff Gamroth several times, saving 40+ pounds, wherever in the car, but particularly on the side where the driver sits, makes sense. Rothsport installs many of them, not just in track or heavily massaged cars. Not sure what brand, but will find out and post.
12-24-2018, 11:36 PM
#24
Burning Brakes
i tried removing those 2-large caps as well, almost broke 1 of them, Called Interstate, got the news- caps fixed for life...until death. Liability, afraid we might acidify ourselves and sue.
Dumb, like an absent oil dip stick on my 335i block. Most owners(not us) never check batteries or oil levels, just notice a glaring red dash light, then ignore that for a while.
Dumb, like an absent oil dip stick on my 335i block. Most owners(not us) never check batteries or oil levels, just notice a glaring red dash light, then ignore that for a while.
12-24-2018, 11:50 PM
#25
Rennlist Member
i tried removing those 2-large caps as well, almost broke 1 of them, Called Interstate, got the news- caps fixed for life...until death. Liability, afraid we might acidify ourselves and sue.
Dumb, like an absent oil dip stick on my 335i block. Most owners(not us) never check batteries or oil levels, just notice a glaring red dash light, then ignore that for a while.
Dumb, like an absent oil dip stick on my 335i block. Most owners(not us) never check batteries or oil levels, just notice a glaring red dash light, then ignore that for a while.
12-27-2018, 10:52 AM
#27
Rennlist Member
12-27-2018, 01:37 PM
#28
Addicted Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
There's dollars, and there's sense: go at it gents!
1. One pound shaved from a 26lb bike is most assuredly not 1% ...moreover, a bike is muscle powered whereas one's 993 is most assuredly not
2. So how many brand-new batteries --and thus, fresh cells ready to crank-- can a $900 battery buy?
3. Precious few of us here would even notice a lighter battery (or 30 fewer pounds off the car) on a track! So for a street car??
4. Try dieting ...the outcome is arguably more beneficial on many more fronts.
Have fun, gents.
Edward
1. One pound shaved from a 26lb bike is most assuredly not 1% ...moreover, a bike is muscle powered whereas one's 993 is most assuredly not
2. So how many brand-new batteries --and thus, fresh cells ready to crank-- can a $900 battery buy?
3. Precious few of us here would even notice a lighter battery (or 30 fewer pounds off the car) on a track! So for a street car??
4. Try dieting ...the outcome is arguably more beneficial on many more fronts.
Have fun, gents.
Edward
12-28-2018, 02:22 PM
#29
Rennlist Member
There's dollars, and there's sense: go at it gents!
1. One pound shaved from a 26lb bike is most assuredly not 1% ...moreover, a bike is muscle powered whereas one's 993 is most assuredly not
2. So how many brand-new batteries --and thus, fresh cells ready to crank-- can a $900 battery buy?
3. Precious few of us here would even notice a lighter battery (or 30 fewer pounds off the car) on a track! So for a street car??
4. Try dieting ...the outcome is arguably more beneficial on many more fronts.
Have fun, gents.
Edward
1. One pound shaved from a 26lb bike is most assuredly not 1% ...moreover, a bike is muscle powered whereas one's 993 is most assuredly not
2. So how many brand-new batteries --and thus, fresh cells ready to crank-- can a $900 battery buy?
3. Precious few of us here would even notice a lighter battery (or 30 fewer pounds off the car) on a track! So for a street car??
4. Try dieting ...the outcome is arguably more beneficial on many more fronts.
Have fun, gents.
Edward
Cheap Horsepower
12-28-2018, 03:49 PM
#30
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I would argue against fixating n lightness or speed or anything else for the street. For numerous reasons. Personally, when I started autocrossing seriously 20 seasons ago, I've stopped caring about pretty much anything on the street. Other than maybe some level of comfort. Street is scary. Unpredictable, stupid, scary. I drive like a grandma on the street.
To the logical question of "why a 993, then?" the answer is: "because old, convertible and yellow".
To the logical question of "why a 993, then?" the answer is: "because old, convertible and yellow".