Stealth97

iTrader: (5)

I'm hopefully going to have my car running in a few weeks, which is a sumertime weekend fun car. There is no stereo, and soon there will likely be no A/C, so I'm thinking something lightweight, and preferably under $100. My only concern is when I'm first tuning there will be a lot of cranking, so it needs to be able to handle jumpstarts occasionally. I'm considering larger motorcycle batteries, but I understand those can blow up with the amount of power the alternator puts out.

Stealth97

iTrader: (5)

No input guys? I'm considering this one..

Erat

iTrader: (5)

Look up XS Power batteries.

I've never actually had to buy a battery before but i've heard those are the best. If and when someday i do have to buy one that's the brand i'll probably get.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Interstate. Ask if they have any blems. Huge discount, never let me down.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Sixshooter and I both use lawn mower batteries. I think I picked it up for $43 at Advance Auto. Works fine for a track battery, ill look up a part number tonight.

Mech5700

Google or check slickdeals.com for advanced auto coupons. I regularly see 20 to 30% off, and that is where I bought my battery.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

For advance online order TRT30 will give you 30% off. Or TRT41 gives you $40 off any order over $100. Using the coupons with in store pickup is amazing.

Dustin1824

iTrader: (2)

Don't be scared of motorcycle batteries, they work great. Easy way to lose 10+ lbs as well.

For example, I had this battery in my last miata for a couple years and it worked great, even on our coldest(20F) days in Texas after sitting for about a week :
Just an example, there are other motorcycle batteries that are cheaper. I bought this one because it had a very good weight to CCA ratio for its cost.

This battery would start the car just as strong as the Westco battery, and weighed 15lbs vs. the 25lb Westco. I can't think of a reason to put a larger battery than this in a miata unless you are prone to forgetting to turn your headlights off or something. Plus, it was fun to add the acid(which was very easy) and watch the battery jump to 12.8 volts all on its own in about 15 minutes when I first got it. No charging was needed.

I will probably go with something a bit smaller next time, but my car never sits for more than 5 days at a time so the battery never has a chance to deplete.

Stealth97

iTrader: (5)

holey carp, that coupon is awesome. I guess a bike battery would be fine, I do not plan on leaving anything on, and I may add a cutoff switch too.

$73
AutoCraft 12-Volt Sealed AGM Premium Powersport Battery, 220 CCA TX14: Advance Auto Parts

The boat anchor is $110... I think not.
AutoCraft Silver Battery, Group Size U1RT, 370 CCA U1RT: Advance Auto Parts

Just saw this.. 220 CCA $110.. 2.5 lb!

Buy AutoCraft Lithium Power Sport Battery, Lithium, Iron, LFP-5, 260 CCA LFP-5 at Advance Auto Parts

Stealth97

iTrader: (5)

Found this one at autozone too. Also $73 after coupon. A little nervous about adding acid and it leaking later.

Motocross 12-Volt Powersport Battery, 310 CCA YTX20HL-BS-PW: Get the best Powersports Battery at Advance Auto Parts

Dustin1824

iTrader: (2)

I cannot attest to that brand, but I can tell you if it is the same design and case as the one I linked, it will not leak.

I was a little nervous about adding acid too, but after I actually did this, it was super easy and well designed against leakage. After the battery gets done bubbling when you first add the acid, you put on this cap fitting that covers the 8 or so holes at the top of the battery. Mine was very tight, to get the cap fitting flush with the battery I had to use a small hammer.

Before I got rid of that Miata I looked over everything to make sure it was sound, and the battery acid indicator spray didn't show any acid around the battery caps. First time I had ever seen any battery do that. I was impressed.

Stealth97

iTrader: (5)

Did some research on the brand, apparently "GS" and Yuasa are the same.

kenzo42

iTrader: (6)

I have a non-vented battery and it's completely oxidized around the battery tray.

Corifto

iTrader: (1)

I have terrorized Advance Auto over the years with coupons. Placed $600+ worth of orders, placed 4 separate orders to take advantage of the biggest coupons 4 times. Walked away for a little over or under $400 I think.

Stealth97

iTrader: (5)

Ugh... I can't decide between the Yuasa clone and the lithium battery. The Yuasa is a bit more powerful than the lithium battery, and the coupon codes make the price not much different. Too many choices..

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

This is what you want once you get your tuning sorted out. Light as ****, cheap, and crank the car over faster than the OEM battery will. ZIPPY Flightmax 8400mAh 4S2P 30C LiFePo4 Pack Be warned that since its a LiPO type battery it cannot be run dead or you destroy it, had a buddy leave his headlights on and it swelled up so much it popped the shrink wrap off. You'll also want one of the balancer boards that plug into the balance ports so that it charges perfectly while in the car. More advanced ones could be setup to give you a warning light on the dash if the charge is getting in the dangerzone. Note this is a LiPOFE4, the non-fire and explosions kind of LiPO battery. The normal LiPO and LiPoly batteries can release flammable gases and or explode if not treated properly.

Frankie4Fingers

Not sure if you plan to do much track work, but our cars are light in the right rear. -this may not be the best place to remove weight

Here's my corner balance with small a AGM.

If anyone has experienced different results, please chime in... not claiming to be an expert here.

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

But going to a tiny battery lets you move it and also take that supposedly 10ish pounds of wiring out thats on the PPF.

Dustin1824

iTrader: (2)

Good find, but I have always wondered how an alternator would not kill batteries like this. It's maximum charging rate is 2C, which is about 17A for a battery of this size. 17A isn't much at all, our alternators could easily put 50A into this battery.

Would it be alright because the alternator would only tend to recharge the battery at a high rate for a short period right after cranking?

I think it all depends on which way the OP want to go with this. If you want to do something to save about 30lb of weight(even though the RR corner is already light)with more work involved, and a smaller margin of error,then by all means, try one of the tiny lithium batteries. If the OP just wants to save 10-15lb, with a little more room for error and a more familiar installation process, then the Yuasa clone is the obvious choice.

I would personally find it interesting to try out a Lithium battery, such as the one Leafy linked. The Ballistic Performance batteries have a good reputation as well, but they are quite a bit more expensive.

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Its very unlikely that you would actually be able to charge the battery at 17A. I dont think you'll ever make a high enough voltage differential to pump that much juice in unless the battery was already dangerously low.

If anyone wants to DIY a ballistic battery just buy a set of standard size A123 LiPOFE4 cells from ebay or aliexpress and put it together. I pulled mine apart after some of the cells went **** up and they wouldnt honor the warranty. I ended up scraping it because apparently when my cells went **** up the balance wires all melted and when I popped the top off there was shorting and fire and I promptly whipped it out of the garage into the snow. Lol.