Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

What are you drag/bracket racers using for a battery? I'm looking to go with a good deep cycle this year so I don't have to hook up to the charger between every round. In the past I after a run I would run the water pump and fans for 15-20 minutes to cool things off. This would give me enough juice to start the engine and pull into the lanes but if I shut if off there wouldn't be enough juice to get it started again. I do use an alternator and the charge wire is 6ga.

Optima is out of the question. Am thinking about going with an XS power D2400 but am open to other options.

AlkyIROC

I'm not sure the size of my battery but it's a smaller one I picked up from Walmart. I was running a 31 series commercial battery because of the reserve capacity but it was way too heavy. The battery was something like 60 pounds. The one I use now is probably around half that weight. Run an alternator to keep voltage up. Modern electronics don't like low voltage when racers try to run without an alternator. I start and stop my engine while moving through the lanes unless I'm trying to build some engine heat (alcohol fuel).

I have no problems leaving my fan and water pump running for a while after a pass. It doesn't take long to bring the temperature down. If I need to keep it on for an extended time, I put a changer on the car. I have 2 charge posts on the back of the car since the battery is difficult to access.

If your battery is giving you issues, have it tested. Not just a basic load test but a test that can also tell you what the CCA capacity is of the battery. A Midtronics tester can do that. If the battery is weak and won't hold a charge, just replace it.

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

I know my battery is shot and that's the problem- these regular lead/acid starting batteries don't hold up to the cycling. Figure each round I start the car 3-5 times and the car only runs for ~5 mins at a time. Even with an alternator it's not enough to keep the battery charged enough. I'm hoping a deep cycle battery will help with this. Nothing worse than being stuck in the lanes with a dead battery in the semi finals.

quik88

just curious but why is optima out of the question?

AlkyIROC

If your alternator can't maintain a charge, a deep cycle battery won't help. I use a CS style alternator. Puts out more amps than the old SI alternators plus it's in a smaller package and produces a lot of amps at low rpms.

The alternator needs to spin at roughly 2-1/2 times the engine speed. Make sure the pulley sizes are correct.

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

What is "CS" style alternator?

I'm using a 140 amp Powermaster. It's putting out roughly 70 amps at idle. They guys at Powermaster said that is a bit overdriven but would be a good thing.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

"CS" is the designation for the smaller mid/late 80's gm bodied cases.

i'm using an optima....not sure if i'll go with it again or not. i have some hot start issues from time to time, but i think it's the 4 gauge wire i'm using. need to setup up to 1/0 i think.

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

Thanks Matt. Mine is a CS style case. Lots of threads/posts on the 'Bullet about guys having problems with Optima batteries.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

yeah. this is my third. only paid for one, the second two have been gotten under warranty. honestly, i'm probably just going to go to a 65 group lead/acid battery next, unless i get some killer deal on a lightweight battery.

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

See I don't want to have to go through that. I just want to spend the money on a decent battery which wont let me down, because it always seems to happen at the worst time. Just not sure if I want to drop $300 on an XS Power, but I will if it's justified. Also looking at deep cycle Die Hard AGM's at the moment.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

i have no experience with the XS power stuff. i like the idea of an AGM battery especially since it'll be in the car (even though it's in a sealed box vented to the outside).

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

I couldn't find enough information to justify the expense of the XS Power battery. Instead, I picked up a Deka "Intimidator" deep cycle AGM. The numbers are about the same as the XS and it was half the cost. Also found lots of good reviews from guys using them in drag cars. I'll update the thread with results as the race season kicks into gear.

FRMULA88

I use the Optima red top and keep it on a trickle charger year round. I never had any issues. The problem with Optima is if they are left to discharge completely you will need the right battery charger to bring them back, otherwise they will never be right. (Optima makes their own charger for this) For cars that sit... and sit.. you need to keep the battery on trickle charger.

BUT I do need to change the starter.

when I built the 383 I installed a GM mini-starter but it is beginning to show it's age especially with this new higher compression motor.. it cranks slow

86iroc2try

I ran optimas for years and had one or two go bad. I've run a 16v turbostart for years, and would never use 12v again. You're gonna have to charge at the track regardless, even with an alternator.

I had to charge my optima at track with alternator too, especially at night.

articwhiteZ

iTrader: (56)

nail on the head. for the Optima.
i have a 2nd one for back up now. sits on a tender. napa had a sale 43% off every thing in the store for 3 days. picked up the 2nd bat $104 and a life time of oil filters.

charger the less spendy one
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ul...0008/overview/

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

Two weekends of racing under my belt with the new battery and it is great so far. 8-10 runs per day with the fan and pump on for 15-20 minutes between rounds and there's always been plenty of juice left for starting. The new battery and giant charging wire did the trick.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

what size charging wire are you using?

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

6ga.

nosajwols

iTrader: (1)

I recently switched to lithium iron (iron not ion) on my motorcycle and I have been very impressed. Dropped 90% of the weight of the old lead acid, uses the stock charging system...

They are not their yet for applications like this but they are getting close. Watch for this in the near future...