Coochas

I've read some threads on Odyssey and Braille batteries but I haven't been able to figure out how many amps I need and what size battery I should go with.

I would most likely go with Braille since HMS is only 30 minutes from my house and I could pick it up in their store.

My car is a 99 Spec Boxster. It currently (no pun intended) has a stock replacement battery which is on the order of 50 pounds. Braille makes batteries that are 6.6, 11.5, 15, 17 and 21 pounds. I believe the 6.6 pound battery is recommended for small motors. My car has the stock 2.5L motor with I believe 11:1 compression ratio.

The car is track only and runs 20-30 days a year.

So,....what size battery do I need? Will it need a battery maintainer?

Werkstatt

There is a weight limit on the battery for Spec Boxster, use the 11 or 15 LBS battery.

Coochas

I didn't know there was a limit. Thanks!

ltc

Dave,
You want one of these....

http://www.suncoastparts.com/product//LITHIUM.html

U4EEAH

I have used 12 (?) lb. Odysseys for a few years, very happy, BUT you will have to keep the car on a trickle charger anytime it sits more than a weak. They just don't have the storage capacity for normal drain when car is not used. I have a pigtail attached to my battey and just plug it in anytime the car goes in the garage to maintain full charge.

Coochas

Nice.
I was thinking about something $2300 less though!

Coochas

Thx for the info Kevin.

ltc

Everyone has the same reaction

Gary R.

I've had an Odyssey 925(?) for three years in my track car, I maintain it with a Battery Tender + (but my car can sit for weeks w/o it) and it still seems as good as new.

mglobe

I've learned to pull the kill switch on my car when it's not in use. Probably something everyone else but me knows to do, but at any rate, it helps the battery hold a charge for a much longer time.

KS-CS

Do the '99 Boxsters have engine compartment cooling fans which can come on even when the engine is off (like the 987s)?

Note: the Braille battery is actually made by East Penn manufacturing; they also make a line sold as Deka batteries, which are basically the same as Braille, but cost at least 1/2 as much without the Braille case. I originally had an 11.5 lb Deka ETX14 (200 CCA) which worked okay, though it gets pretty weak fast if you don't keep it charged between track sessions. I had it die one time during a hot summer track day, when the engine compartment cooling fan came on while the car was off (and I was away) and rapidly drained the battery. Fortunately, I had my battery charger with me.

I have now switched to a 15lb Deka ETX16 (275 CCA) which has a little more juice and reserve, without much more weight. It sells for about $79 online. I still keep the charger on between track sessions.

va122

I need to remove my 50lb lump for a decka then!

Lemming

I also had the 11.5 and had to charge it between session during cooler weather. It also left me stranded once during a race when I spun and killed the motor. In the end, I decided to go with a few more lbs and have a battery that I don't have to worry about going dead between or during a run. Currently running a yellow top odyssey.

jrgordonsenior

Great point about the engine fans which most all Spec Box's have. Another consideration is running your cool suit while sitting on grid. 10 minutes is all it took one hot day to leave me stranded on grid when the field took off.....

Lemming

I forgot about that, I could not run my cool suit on the grid with the car off for fear that it would not start! Not what you want when sitting on the grid in Alabama, Georgia, or South Carolina in the middle of summer