Braille battery installation (with pics)
06-22-2008, 05:46 PM
#1
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Braille battery installation (with pics)
After giving this much thought, I finally decided to go with the 15 lb Braille battery model B2015. I know that Rad's 11 lb Braille went dead after one year, but I thought I'd give Braille a shot with a little larger unit and a tender. I got tired of looking for the Deka equivalvent. 
http://www.brailleauto.com/productca...duct=3#details
It doesn't have the specs of the macho 33 lb Optima Red Top 75/35, but it's no slouch and I plan on using a tender. I was set on the Optima Red Top until I started looking into ways to securely fasten the battery. The free plastic Optima euro adapters are weak. As previously discussed, they snap onto the ends of the Optima battery and flex/crush when the OEM hold down is tightened. The GMG Optima battery bracket is nice but at $275
, I decided to pass. 
The Braille aluminum battery bracket is simple, lightweight, and effective. Installation was straightforward, and everything fit perfectly.
1. The 35 lb stock Moll Kamina.
2. The B2015 next to the Kamina.
3. OEM tray with the Kamina removed.
4. OEM tray removed just to make sure that there would be enough clearance for the Braille self-drilling screws used to fasten the aluminum battery bracket. There is plenty of clearance.
5. The Braille bracket.
6. The Braille bracket mounted to the OEM tray with 4 screws. Small pilot holes were drilled into the OEM tray. The tray is TOUGH.
7. OEM tray reinstalled.
8. Battery and fastening plates installed.
9. Side view.
http://www.brailleauto.com/productca...duct=3#details
It doesn't have the specs of the macho 33 lb Optima Red Top 75/35, but it's no slouch and I plan on using a tender. I was set on the Optima Red Top until I started looking into ways to securely fasten the battery. The free plastic Optima euro adapters are weak. As previously discussed, they snap onto the ends of the Optima battery and flex/crush when the OEM hold down is tightened. The GMG Optima battery bracket is nice but at $275
, I decided to pass. The Braille aluminum battery bracket is simple, lightweight, and effective. Installation was straightforward, and everything fit perfectly.
1. The 35 lb stock Moll Kamina.
2. The B2015 next to the Kamina.
3. OEM tray with the Kamina removed.
4. OEM tray removed just to make sure that there would be enough clearance for the Braille self-drilling screws used to fasten the aluminum battery bracket. There is plenty of clearance.
5. The Braille bracket.
6. The Braille bracket mounted to the OEM tray with 4 screws. Small pilot holes were drilled into the OEM tray. The tray is TOUGH.
7. OEM tray reinstalled.
8. Battery and fastening plates installed.
9. Side view.
06-22-2008, 06:06 PM
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This was only made possible 'cause you told me that I didn't need a radio code. 
Even without a radio code (that I didn't NEED), I was still going to proceed... I just wanted to know how P*SSED off I was going to be after the job was done when I couldn't turn on the radio.
Catch ya at Lowe's!
Even without a radio code (that I didn't NEED), I was still going to proceed... I just wanted to know how P*SSED off I was going to be after the job was done when I couldn't turn on the radio.
Catch ya at Lowe's!
06-22-2008, 06:16 PM
#4
Looking good!
If you couldn't turn the radio on, think of the additional weight you would've shed by ripping it out.
If you couldn't turn the radio on, think of the additional weight you would've shed by ripping it out.
06-22-2008, 06:44 PM
#6
Nordschleife Master
This was only made possible 'cause you told me that I didn't need a radio code.
Even without a radio code (that I didn't NEED), I was still going to proceed... I just wanted to know how P*SSED off I was going to be after the job was done when I couldn't turn on the radio.
Catch ya at Lowe's!
Even without a radio code (that I didn't NEED), I was still going to proceed... I just wanted to know how P*SSED off I was going to be after the job was done when I couldn't turn on the radio.
Catch ya at Lowe's!
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06-23-2008, 11:50 AM
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The B2015 should have no issues over a weekend of sitting and then hard use. Braille bills it as their light weight 'all season' battery... we'll see how it holds up.
I will be using a quality battery tender, but Braille's specific charging instructions differ greatly from the profiles of the CTEK and Deltran Battery Tender units. Go figure. My CTEK maintainer via the cig lighter seems to be doing a perfect job so far.
Plus, if lose cranking power at the track, I'll just have Dell resuscitate the 3 with the 'Lade!!! YO!
I will be using a quality battery tender, but Braille's specific charging instructions differ greatly from the profiles of the CTEK and Deltran Battery Tender units. Go figure. My CTEK maintainer via the cig lighter seems to be doing a perfect job so far.
Plus, if lose cranking power at the track, I'll just have Dell resuscitate the 3 with the 'Lade!!! YO!
06-23-2008, 11:53 AM
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Plus, the radio makes for good listening during all the PCA black flag grid time...
06-23-2008, 01:06 PM
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RJ,
1) after a track session, leave the engine running at idle for a while (10 minutes). When you shut it off, open the rear lid, and unplug the engine fan, otherwise it will drain your Braille guaranteed.
2) Those bolts on the mounting plate are too long. Put some duct tape underneath, or rubber boots. Otherwise, you could be slowly drilling your fuel tank.
3) Deka sells the replacement battery for $60. Same battery. You should expect no more than 2 years of life out of the Braille battery.
4) Always carry a jump starter for street driving. More than once my Braille let me down, of course this was on the cold NorthEast, this might not happen in NC.
1) after a track session, leave the engine running at idle for a while (10 minutes). When you shut it off, open the rear lid, and unplug the engine fan, otherwise it will drain your Braille guaranteed.
2) Those bolts on the mounting plate are too long. Put some duct tape underneath, or rubber boots. Otherwise, you could be slowly drilling your fuel tank.
3) Deka sells the replacement battery for $60. Same battery. You should expect no more than 2 years of life out of the Braille battery.
4) Always carry a jump starter for street driving. More than once my Braille let me down, of course this was on the cold NorthEast, this might not happen in NC.
06-23-2008, 04:11 PM
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RJ,
1) after a track session, leave the engine running at idle for a while (10 minutes). When you shut it off, open the rear lid, and unplug the engine fan, otherwise it will drain your Braille guaranteed.
1) after a track session, leave the engine running at idle for a while (10 minutes). When you shut it off, open the rear lid, and unplug the engine fan, otherwise it will drain your Braille guaranteed.
2) Those bolts on the mounting plate are too long. Put some duct tape underneath, or rubber boots. Otherwise, you could be slowly drilling your fuel tank.
3) Deka sells the replacement battery for $60. Same battery. You should expect no more than 2 years of life out of the Braille battery.
4) Always carry a jump starter for street driving. More than once my Braille let me down, of course this was on the cold NorthEast, this might not happen in NC.
