Twibs415

iTrader: (8)

It is convenient with the piaa p-3000 but i cant find anything like that anymore. I am thinking about keeping the blinkers/side markers in the corner like the "jdm" cars are set up and then use a 5.5inch light next to it. my car probably sees less than 5 hours of night driving a year...

jpreston

iTrader: (4)

Headlights « Destination SSM

I have the same lights waiting to be installed. They can just barely be squeezed into the turn signal area.

ThePass

iTrader: (3)

Not a fan of the poor light placement of 'flush mount' aftermarket replacements with the clear cover replacing the headlight lid (I guess that's a given considering the setup I chose to do..), but those lights look like they may work quite well in the parking light hole.

ThePass

iTrader: (3)

Oh by the way.. just removed 7.5 lbs from the car: parking brake handle, windshield wipers/motor.

Getting lighter. Shooting for sub-2000 with full aero/turbo/safety. I want to see 1999... but the losses are getting smaller and/or more expensive...

-Ryan

asmasm

iTrader: (1)

It would be great if someone could spoon feed an alternative to the piaa p-3000.

I just got an east penn battery and weighed it. I considered going LiFePO4 but since the car is still street driven I expect I will be killing batteries and these are cheap to replace.

ThePass

iTrader: (3)

Which model is that?

asmasm

iTrader: (1)

It's one of the relabeled ETX9s. I paid $60 for the battery and it is something like 19lbs lighter than the battery I have in the car right now.

Dustin1824

iTrader: (2)

I'll probably be going to a battery this size when my current battery dies.

In my previous miata I put in the Yuasa YTX20HL-BS-PW, it was 14lbs when I weighed it, which isn't as light as some batteries, has awesome starting power for its size and cost. Plus, it was fun to add the acid to the battery and watch it come up to a full charge of 12.9 volts without even using a charger.

I got a larger one than the ETX9 size because I was concerned with winter starting, but it turns out I didn't need that many amps. This battery has over 300 CCA, and it started the car with authority even at 15 deg F. It felt as powerful as the WestCo thats 11 lbs heavier, and at the time was only $75 on Amazon. There really is no reason to ever go with a larger battery than this.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

ETX-14 is a better compromise for a street car. ETX-9 is really trailered car size. Batterymart.com is a good source.

asmasm

iTrader: (1)

Heated garage + battery tender + AAA membership

ThePass

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the details.
My friend's kid wanted to sit in the car when they came over. She apparently has a thing for buttons and turned everything on that could be switched, flipped, or pushed. Thought I went in after her and got everything, but apparently I missed something as now the battery is dead beyond hope and the trickle charger can't seem to revive it.

Current ATV battery is 16.5 lbs with 325 CCA.
ETX14 is 12 lbs/220CCA
ETX15 is 11 lbs/220 CCA

-Ryan

Dustin1824

iTrader: (2)

That's good information to have! Thanks, I wouldn't want the car to fail to start on a cold morning.

I have an interesting idea, what if I did a dual ETX-9 setup, where both batteries were used on the street for the extra reserve capacity and CCA, and for the track I could take the second battery out. I would just need to make a battery tie down that is modular for the 2 batteries.

Or I could just buy the ETX-14 you suggested instead and be done with it, which seems much simpler. LOL

Don't have or use any of those things, so ETX-14 when the time comes.

ThePass

iTrader: (3)

I just got off the phone with a tech at batterymart. I was asking him about the ETX14 vs ETX15 and explained my uses for it.

He suggested a lithium battery since they are crazy lightweight. Like you pick it up and you swear there is nothing inside... Does anyone have a reason NOT to go this route?

Shorai LFX14 series (6 different box sizes available, all the same specs, weight varies slightly)
Shorai LFX14A1-BS12 Lithium-Iron Battery - Free Shipping: BatteryMart.com
12volts
210 CCA
1.6-2.2 lbs depending on the case dimensions

The price is double, but the service life compared to conventional battery is also double...

-Ryan

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

Seeing as lithium batteries are replacing batteries everywhere else (power tools, phones, computers) I would think that would be the way to go. The Tesla uses lithium batteries, and those power the whole car. I know lithium is more sensitive to charging than other batteries are (google thermal runaway) but if the battery has a built in protection circuit (which I assume it does) they would be fine. In reality lithium batteries are better than Lead-Acid in almost every way.

Dustin1824

iTrader: (2)

I have thought about this as well. Anyone care to try something like this?



Looks like the same specs, but quite a bit cheaper.

asmasm

iTrader: (1)

Several people have used the 12 cell ballistic battery on street cars and say it works well.

Lincoln Logs

iTrader: (1)

Oh no it's on prime...I might be a guinea pig with Ryan on this one.

jpreston

iTrader: (4)

If I'm remembering right, Lithium Ion has runaway issues but LiFePo4 does not. I assume "Lithium Iron" is what they're calling LiFePo4.

Advance auto used to sell the East Penn (Deka and braille) batteries under a store brand name, so you could order online with their 20-25% off coupons and then pick up in store. It looks like they don't offer the ones I'm thinking of anymore, but they do still offer a sealed agm option that looks comparable. Just search "TX9" instead of "ETX9" or "ETX14" or whatever.

Twibs415

iTrader: (8)

wait this battery info is nice and all but back to the lights... weight right off the nose and more engine bay space seem more appealing than less weight over the right rear wheel sorta. who am i kidding both will happen.

ThePass

iTrader: (3)

I'm sorry Twibs, don't hate me?

Have been digging some more.. old posts on this site and others.

Everything about the LiFePO4 batteries check out except for the curious matter of charging.

"maximum charge rate of up to 10 amps" quoted from the specs of one such battery

And yet, seeing reports of these being ran in miatas successfully (alternator output 55-65 amps AFAIK)

The other thing of note is that they have small capacities. No problem with vehicle running, but even just the draw of the ECU with car off is enough to make starting after a few days of sitting difficult. I would say a kill switch is necessary for when car is parked.

-Ryan