ShakeNBake

It's working great so far, but to be clear, it's about a year old now and this is its second car. No issues in the GT4 in terms of power load or overnight drain from the alarm, etc.

jmartpr

Thanks for the update. That's good news.....this is at the top of my Christmas list for the GT4!

paradocs98

I'm assuming this wouldn't be a good idea in the Northeast if the car sees winter use. But maybe the Braille CS model would be adequate for cold cranking, and still save weight vs OEM.

ShakeNBake

No idea. I freezes here, but it's tucked away in a garage under a blanket when it's that cold - except when MVP is running COTA.

jmartpr

One more question...was the 48 series a direct drop-in? Braille is mentioning the 49 series as the standard dimensions for Caymans but would prefer the 48 CE or CX if I don't have to modify or buy a aftermarket base.

jmartpr

Ok...after some back and forth chats and e-mails with Braille I pulled the trigger on a i48CE battery. 10 lbs and a direct drop-in replacement. The top bracket doesn't hold the battery si more like a protection so the shorter battery is OK. BTW...they have a special until Dec. 31st of a free charger with a battery purchase.

Yomi

I had a lightweight Braille on my STi 10 years ago, which was a 22 pound reduction over the stock battery in exactly the right spot. It was less than a tenth the cost of Porsche's battery (though apparently they've upscaled considerably for Porsche fitment -- I'm not sure what that extra $1300 buys you).

It worked wonderfully for me when I was with the car. Many autocrosses with lots of quick start, short drive, stop, etc. Never any problems starting even in Idaho winters after leaving the car for a week.


But .... $@)*%@& car shops. Every single one.

Me: "OK, I'm going to say it again, slowly. Do not run the radio with the car off. Do not leave the lights on. Hey! I'm going to tell you *again*: DON'T LEAVE THE RADIO RUNNING. The battery has lots of starting power, but it's TINY. It isn't made for running crap while the car is off."

Them: "Yeah, sure. We completely understand. You got it. We won't do that."

....

Them: "Um, your car won't start."

Me: "For the love of Freya, did you leave the radio running?"

Them: "Well yeah, but it was only for an hour or two."

Me: "Didn't I tell you not to do that?!?!"

Every shop. I swear, they would do this every single time, no matter what I said or how many times I'd say it. It just doesn't make it into their heads.


Unfortunately I race in PCA Showroom Stock so nothing other than reasonable alternatives to the OEM batteries are allowed. I wonder what might qualify here given there is a lightweight battery option. Fortunately I'm in Showroom Stock so keep myself from going down the prepared money pit.

jmartpr

Got it on the car...here you have some pics:

Jimmy-D

How does this battery stay in place with that bracket so far removed?

ShakeNBake

that bracket does nothing, the battery is held in place by its "feet".

Jimmy-D

Thanks - I think I will get one of these when my cars arrives.

krell

OP, I saw your first post in this thread about the weight of the parts you took out, but did you weigh just the battery, and if so what was it?

I may have my answer from something you posted in the thread I started -- the Braille is ~25lbs lighter than the OEM battery, which would put it at 35lbs. That actually seems relatively light to be honest.

ShakeNBake

I weighed everything I took out together - battery+compressor. The battery was virtually all of it.

jmartpr

you are looking at 30-35 lbs just in the battery.....

GrantG

Interesting! Made in Germany, but the cells are made by A123 Systems using LiFePO4 chemistry (only familiar with these from flying R/C airplanes).

https://en.liteblox.de/frequently-as...m-car-battery/

Also looks like A123 makes their own auto battery now:

http://www.a123systems.com/lithium-starter-battery.htm