powdrhound

I finally got around to installing my Braille 21lb battery that I've had sitting on the shelf for the past year. I chose the Braille 21lb battery because it is robust enough for everyday use and keeps it's charge for a couple of weeks with the car not in use. Braille also makes a couple of smaller versions of this battery that would save a few more lbs. but I did not want to give up any additional capacity. It is also relatively cheap at under $200 (compared to $1500+ Li-Io batteries) and provides a solid 25lb weight savings compared to the OEM battery. The Braille 21 is sealed, uses glass mat technology, and thus there is no change of spills. It provides 1380 pulse cranking amps which is far better than the Oddysey batteries, the other popular choice. The challenge with the lightweight batteries lies with the fact that it's not always easy attaching them. I ended up with a simple solution of removing the OEM battery tray, drilling two holes in the base, and pushing two T nuts through the tray from the bottom. I secured the T nuts with some JB weld. The Braille battery is then secured via a cross bar and some 8" bolts I bought at ACE hardware. The cross bar can be made from various material like plastic or aluminum. I used one made from Delrin. The 8" bolt will need to be shortened about 1/4" which is easy to do with a hack saw. This is also a perfect time to clean up the OEM battery tray and spray it black for a new look. Strictly an option, but I also used some spray adhesive to glue a very thin 1/32" piece of rubber liner to the battery tray under the battery for a cushioning effect.

Once the battery tray is modified, it can be bolted back in the car and the battery then bolted to the tray. The factory cables have just enough length to connect to the Braille without any modifications. The battery swap removed 25lbs from the car for under $200. Great bang for the buck....

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RAudi Driver

Wow, great! I should have gone that route. I just did an odyssey with that Rennline mount and spent almost $400.

Steve W

Nice clean installation. Rivnuts would also work well in lieu of a T nut.

Braille's batteries though are just rebranded Deka AGM battteries (East Penn) which are relabeled by resellers under many different names, including Autozone and Duralast, and readily available for half of what Braille charges:
http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0278.pdf