On Batteries
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 35
From: Decatur, GA
On Batteries
I've had quite a journey with batteries and my turbo setup.
I started with a single, Odyssey PC 680 mounted under the hood on the front crossmember/framerail. It worked okay, unless it was less than 40 degrees outside and then I needed a battery charger or jump start. If I happened to kill the car (clutch break-in with a grabby clutch and 8 lb flywheel), restarting (even when warm) could be a challenge. As a result, I added a second PC 680 to the trunk. This helped, but it still seemed a bit weak and low temperature was still a bit of a problem. Each battery had 16 AH and 170 CCA. They weighed over 15 lbs each.
When I redid my stereo with a JL Audio Stealthbox, I lost the second PC680 in the trunk. As a result, I changed the battery under the hood to a Deka ETX16L. This battery was very similar in size to the PC 680, but offered 325 CCA, 19 AH, and only weighed 17 lbs. It actually started the car better than two PC 680's (though I suspect one of mine was weak). After a year or so, this battery wore out. It got so bad that the only way the car would start was with a jump start. For a daily driver, this could be okay if you never fully discharge the battery (as mine did a couple of times after only a couple of weeks of sitting). I would certainly strongly recommend this battery to anyone over a PC 680. When it was new, this battery only showed a little strain when starting a cold car whereas a PC 680 simply couldn't do it alone.
And now, I have finally replaced the battery with a Shorai LFX36L3-BS12 lithium battery. It weighs 5 pounds and is the smallest battery I have tried. It also has 36 AH and 540 CCA. So to summarize, it weighs 80% less than stock, takes up 67% less space, and yet delivers just as much current and will last just as long before being fully drained. It's more than twice as powerful as a PC 680 and has more starting current than three PC 680's... The first time I started the car with this battery, I was surprised at how good it was. It started better than when I was jump starting using an Optima Yellowtop 34/78. I hadn't had my car start this easily since I was using a stock battery back in 2004... I do not yet know how this battery will last, but I have bought the specific charger from Shorai that does battery management, so hopefully that will help.
What are my conclusions? Smaller batteries can work, but for a daily driven car or one that sees occasional periods of storage (1-2 weeks), use the largest battery you can. Motorcycle batteries are really good for motorcycles, but are really too weak for reasonable reliability with a car. I cannot recommend a PC 680 for anything. If you have a track car, but a Shorai and save 10 lbs. If you have a street car, but a Deka ETX16L at a minimum.
Tim
I started with a single, Odyssey PC 680 mounted under the hood on the front crossmember/framerail. It worked okay, unless it was less than 40 degrees outside and then I needed a battery charger or jump start. If I happened to kill the car (clutch break-in with a grabby clutch and 8 lb flywheel), restarting (even when warm) could be a challenge. As a result, I added a second PC 680 to the trunk. This helped, but it still seemed a bit weak and low temperature was still a bit of a problem. Each battery had 16 AH and 170 CCA. They weighed over 15 lbs each.
When I redid my stereo with a JL Audio Stealthbox, I lost the second PC680 in the trunk. As a result, I changed the battery under the hood to a Deka ETX16L. This battery was very similar in size to the PC 680, but offered 325 CCA, 19 AH, and only weighed 17 lbs. It actually started the car better than two PC 680's (though I suspect one of mine was weak). After a year or so, this battery wore out. It got so bad that the only way the car would start was with a jump start. For a daily driver, this could be okay if you never fully discharge the battery (as mine did a couple of times after only a couple of weeks of sitting). I would certainly strongly recommend this battery to anyone over a PC 680. When it was new, this battery only showed a little strain when starting a cold car whereas a PC 680 simply couldn't do it alone.
And now, I have finally replaced the battery with a Shorai LFX36L3-BS12 lithium battery. It weighs 5 pounds and is the smallest battery I have tried. It also has 36 AH and 540 CCA. So to summarize, it weighs 80% less than stock, takes up 67% less space, and yet delivers just as much current and will last just as long before being fully drained. It's more than twice as powerful as a PC 680 and has more starting current than three PC 680's... The first time I started the car with this battery, I was surprised at how good it was. It started better than when I was jump starting using an Optima Yellowtop 34/78. I hadn't had my car start this easily since I was using a stock battery back in 2004... I do not yet know how this battery will last, but I have bought the specific charger from Shorai that does battery management, so hopefully that will help.
What are my conclusions? Smaller batteries can work, but for a daily driven car or one that sees occasional periods of storage (1-2 weeks), use the largest battery you can. Motorcycle batteries are really good for motorcycles, but are really too weak for reasonable reliability with a car. I cannot recommend a PC 680 for anything. If you have a track car, but a Shorai and save 10 lbs. If you have a street car, but a Deka ETX16L at a minimum.
Tim
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 35
From: Decatur, GA
Anyway, I'll update this post in another year or so to report on this battery's longevity. Some in the R&C forum are already using it and have been for a while. The technology is a bit different from other batteries, so if you're interested in one, I suggest reading up on them.
Tim
Tim
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 35
From: Decatur, GA
Shouldn't be any hotter than the stock battery location. It's in a relatively open part of the engine bay. The other nice thing is that since the new battery is shorter than the Deka ETX16L, the battery bracket no longer hits my intake pipe (it was originally designed for a PC 680 which fit perfectly but just didn't work...).
Tim
Tim
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 35
From: Decatur, GA
These smaller batteries will fit into the center of the tool well and can be completely hidden from sight. The picture shows a PC 680, but this would work with the Shorai too. The extra wires were for an Infinity Basslink.
Tim
