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Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Feb 3 2007, 06:24 PM

OK, will be putting in a new battery. It will either be going back into the stock location or possibly into the rear trunk (passenger side near front bulkhead of rear trunk)(right front corner of rear trunk).
What are folks using. This is a AX/DE/TT car that still has functioning lights. No radio, no heater, just the head and tail lights and the starter/ignition.

What are some options you guys have used for size and placement.

Large motorcycle batteries?

Pics and manufacturers, weights, sizes....

thanks

Posted by: Rotten Robby Feb 3 2007, 06:35 PM

Dan,
I am just using a stock sized Optima in the stock location so not too innovative...

But... the coolest thing I ever saw was by a guy I used to room with. He bought a demo battery from Sears. A Diehard case with no interior plates. He then relocated his real motorcycle battery to another secret part of the car I never figured out. Inside the fake battery he put a cool can set up. The lid of the battery would come off and he could add ice. The lid had posts on it and the real battery cables were "extended" from this point to the ground and starter.
Worked very nicely... Probably no real advantage since he was always TTOD anyway but very trick.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Feb 3 2007, 06:46 PM

QUOTE(Rotten Robby @ Feb 3 2007, 04:35 PM)

Posted by: SirAndy Feb 3 2007, 07:11 PM

QUOTE(Dan (Almaden Valley) @ Feb 3 2007, 04:46 PM)

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Feb 3 2007, 10:11 PM

QUOTE(SirAndy @ Feb 3 2007, 05:11 PM)

QUOTE(Dan (Almaden Valley) @ Feb 3 2007, 04:46 PM)

optima in the stock location is probably my first choice.
Just wanted to know if anyone was using a motorcycle battery and how it works out for them...

get the small 3-cell optima. half the size, lots of juice ...

put it down low, front trunk floor or pass. side cabin floor ...
Andy

Posted by: SirAndy Feb 4 2007, 02:23 AM

QUOTE(Dan (Almaden Valley) @ Feb 3 2007, 08:11 PM)

isn't the 3 cell only 6V?

Posted by: stownsen914 Feb 4 2007, 07:32 AM

In my track car I use a battery that I got from Baker Precision (http://www.bakerprecision.com/battery.htm). I believe I have the PB19 model, which has 390 CCA and weights 15 lbs. It easily starts my 2.7L six every time.

QUOTE(SirAndy @ Feb 4 2007, 03:23 AM)

QUOTE(Dan (Almaden Valley) @ Feb 3 2007, 08:11 PM)

isn't the 3 cell only 6V?

well, i *thought* i had seen a 12V 3-cell, but looking through their website, it looks like they're all 6V ...

Andy

Posted by: Mueller Feb 5 2007, 01:35 AM

mazda miatas supposed to have a nice small battery....

Posted by: SirAndy Feb 5 2007, 01:27 PM

QUOTE(Mueller @ Feb 4 2007, 11:35 PM)

Posted by: Borderline Feb 6 2007, 10:25 PM

Waiting for Nathan to chime in here. He has (oops had) a lite wt battery mounted in the driver's compartment next to the firewall between the seats. It's close to the CG and keep the cables a reasonable length.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Feb 6 2007, 10:30 PM

QUOTE(Borderline @ Feb 6 2007, 08:25 PM)

Posted by: nebreitling Feb 6 2007, 10:58 PM

yup, pc680, mounted behind the passenger seat. kept the cables stockish length (battery cables ain't light)...

had a tech-inspector look at it funny once -- i think he was uncomfortable with it being in the driver's compartment. given the sealed design and the fact that that the terminals were extremely well covered, he passed it.

pc680 is a tough little battery. plenty of power.

Posted by: sww914 Feb 8 2007, 02:48 PM

Wal Mart lawn tractor battery, 350cca, $25.00.
It always starts my car, even with 10.5/1 compression.

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Feb 8 2007, 03:22 PM

QUOTE(sww914 @ Feb 8 2007, 12:48 PM)

Posted by: Joe Ricard Feb 8 2007, 04:01 PM

We got a STS guy driving a Civic hatch. his car will not turn over unless his foot is off the brake door closed fans turned off. That little lawn mower battery don't have much grunt.

PC680 will turn over a 13:1 compression Type R Honda motor just fine even if it is cold and fussy.
it can also continue to spin my little motor even if I flood it.

Posted by: drew365 Feb 9 2007, 07:41 PM

I have the Odyssey 680 installed in my trunk. It's never let me down, even after sitting for long periods. I made a foam and balsa wood shell and set the Odyssey in the center thinking that if it ever died at the track and I needed to pick up a full size battery the tray and bracket would be ready to pop it in.




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Posted by: eg914 Feb 10 2007, 12:12 AM

I have a Mazda Miata battery that I bought at Autozone in my daily driver. Starts the car even on cold days (Sacramento cold is around freezing). It was $85 a few months ago. Here is a picture (I hope). Please ignore the lightened battery tray!




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