LB9GTA

iTrader: (1)

Looking at trying to shed some pounds with a lighter battery.
I have a 1000 cranking amp battery that weighs 40lbs.
How low of cranking amps do people use?
I'd rather stay away from the agm batteries as you would need a new charger.

Anyone care to share their experience with their light weight battery? Brand? Cranking amp? Weight?

AlkyIROC

I'd have to look but I think my battery has less than 700 CCA. Just something smaller that I picked up from walmart one day. I was using a 31 series heavy truck battery for the longest time but needed something with less weight. The 31 series was 60 pounds and had great reserve capacity. This one is probably 25 pounds and still cranks the engine over fine. Of course being a race car, it never needs to be started when it's cold outside and if it ever does need to be fired up in the winter time, I'll use a booster/charger for a few more amps. The alcohol engine doesn't like firing up when it's cold.

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

Just looking at the info in your signature I'd thing there are better ways to shed weight and find performance.

I've done a lot of research recently about batteries. I've found that a lot of the store brand batteries are made by reputable companies. Wal-Mart, NAPA and Sears all sell high quality AGM batteries made by name brand companies like Deka. Pick one up for around $120 and an AGM charger can be had for $40 or so and you'll have a better performing battery that's 15-20 lbs lighter than a lead/acid battery. Move it to the trunk and let the weight of the battery work in your favor by putting more weight over the back wheels.

LB9GTA

iTrader: (1)

Well my battery is from 2008, so I'm guessing that anytime now its going to go.
As for shedding weight, I like loosing weight in certain areas, but not to compromise looks.

As for AGM batteries, I already have a charger that can charge an AGM battery so I'm good there.

This is the one I'm thinking about. About 16lb weight savings!

http://www.summitracing.com/dom/part...12vl/overview/

Just wondering if a 575 CA battery will be enough? Right now I have a sbc 400 with 9-1 compression that is street/strip. Eventually I am stepping up my game and getting a 421sbc with 12+ compression. Although, I have a MSD digital 6+ with a start retard on it (retards 20 degrees of timing at startup) so that should help.

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

I commented based on your original post where you said you'd need another charger.

In any event, for the price of the battery in the link, you can get one that performs better. Look into the Deka 9A34. Add an "R" to the part number if you need the terminals reversed. I paid $90 for mine from NAPA.

*850 amps
*750 CCA
*55 ah
*120 minute reserve capacity.
*Weighs 32 lbs., 17 lighter than the lead acid it replaced.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

where did you see it weighed 32 lbs? everywhere i've looked says 41lbs...

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

interesting....that turbo start battery looks like this, but with some stickers on it....same dimensions and all.

http://www.blueboxbatteries.co.uk/br...flb150-battery

^^^several YBer's told me to run this...

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

I weighed the Deka 9a34 when I bought it.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

Fair enough

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

I just did a quick google search and the specs on the weight are all over the map. Some places are advertising 16kg, 18.2kg, 38lb and 41lb. Not sure how to interpret that info lol. Considering the power and capacity I couldn't justify a TurboStart over the Deka. Then there's the XS Power and I couldn't justify that because of the cost. I did a lot of research on the Deka because it seemed too good to be true but I found a LOT of people who have used them over the years in race cars, 4x4's, audio applications, etc. who had stellar reviews. Couldn't find any negatives on it.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

seems like something i'd be interested in....my redtop was cranking pretty slow last season.

LB9GTA

iTrader: (1)

Yah sorry. I thought that you needed another charger for agm's (maintenance free), but on my charger it has 2 settings. One for conventional and one for maintenance free. So I'm good to go there.

As CCA, what's the lowest I could go? 600?

Dialed_In

iTrader: (3)

Being appropriate for maintenance free does not automatically mean it's suitable for AGM.

Considering your location, I wouldn't personally go below 650-700CCA. Remember, that rating is at 32*f. It will drop much lower as the temps drop farther below freezing.

LB9GTA

iTrader: (1)

This is the charger I have, and it does charge AGM's
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mo...l#.Ux4LIz9dUb0

Because mine is a street/strip car and doesn't ever see snow or cold,(only drive it from april to october) the coldest it ever would be when cruising would be 5c or 41f, (and even then, I park my car in the garage.

LB9GTA

iTrader: (1)

Took the battery out of my wife's van.
700cca.
It weighed 33lbs.
I think I'm gonna steal it come race season