Time for a new battery, What's the best choice in 2022? Options

[Txbentleyboy]

Time has come for a new battery for my 76. What can you recommend in the +\- $200 range?

The car will be driven 3-4 times a week around town.

The new technology Is amazing but does it apply to a 45 year old car?

Thanks!

[vitamin914]

Be cautious if considering an Antigravity battery. It may or may not work for you.

In the thread, > What's your volt meter reading when cruising around town?,
member raynekat, bought a 30 amp hr Antigravity and had issues with the battery supplying enough current with headlights, fogs, wipers, etc running.
His discussions with Superhawk996 are really worth reading - before spending a lot of money on a lithium battery.

I will be installing seat heaters so I know I will have extra current draw above what is standard. I was contemplating trying the Antigravity unit until I read the thread and opted instead for the Odyssey PC1200 (ODS-AGM42L). The Optima was second on my list. Thanks to these guys I think I avoided making the wrong choice. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

[horizontally-opposed]

Be cautious if considering an Antigravity battery. It may or may not work for you.

In the thread, > What's your volt meter reading when cruising around town?,
member raynekat, bought a 30 amp hr Antigravity and had issues with the battery supplying enough current with headlights, fogs, wipers, etc running.
His discussions with Superhawk996 are really worth reading - before spending a lot of money on a lithium battery.

I will be installing seat heaters so I know I will have extra current draw above what is standard. I was contemplating trying the Antigravity unit until I read the thread and opted instead for the Odyssey PC1200 (ODS-AGM42L). The Optima was second on my list. Thanks to these guys I think I avoided making the wrong choice. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

So, following up, I wonder if the issues that 911 people aren't running into with Anti-Gravity batteries but @raynekat did run into is related to the 914 battery being in a hot engine bay?

From https://www.exploringoverland.com/overland-...-worth-the-cost

Most lithium automotive batteries, including the Antigravity unit, can be used (i.e. discharged) at temperatures down to -20ºC (-4ºF). However, they cannot be charged at temperatures lower than about 0ºC (32ºF)…

Keep in mind that these critical numbers represent the internal temperature of the battery, not the ambient air temperature… Fortunately, each Antigravity battery incorporates a sophisticated battery management system (BMS), which prevents charging when the temperature drops too low…

Very high temperatures can also affect LiFePO4 performance. The listed upper limit for discharging the Antigravity deep-cycle battery is 55ºC (131ºF). For this reason, some owners install their lithium “house” batteries inside the vehicle or camper rather than in the engine compartment.

Have to imagine 131° F isn't all that unusual in the 914 engine bay, and I have mixed feelings about relocating the battery to the front of the car.

[vitamin914]

So, following up, I wonder if the issues that 911 people aren't running into with Anti-Gravity batteries but @raynekat did run into is related to the 914 battery being in a hot engine bay?

From https://www.exploringoverland.com/overland-...-worth-the-cost

Most lithium automotive batteries, including the Antigravity unit, can be used (i.e. discharged) at temperatures down to -20ºC (-4ºF). However, they cannot be charged at temperatures lower than about 0ºC (32ºF)…

Keep in mind that these critical numbers represent the internal temperature of the battery, not the ambient air temperature… Fortunately, each Antigravity battery incorporates a sophisticated battery management system (BMS), which prevents charging when the temperature drops too low…

Very high temperatures can also affect LiFePO4 performance. The listed upper limit for discharging the Antigravity deep-cycle battery is 55ºC (131ºF). For this reason, some owners install their lithium “house” batteries inside the vehicle or camper rather than in the engine compartment.

Have to imagine 131° F isn't all that unusual in the 914 engine bay, and I have mixed feelings about relocating the battery to the front of the car.

That explains why Li batteries have not become more popular drop-ins for Pb-acid (the very high price doesn't help either). Here in Canada or the northern US, there are days or weeks where the temperature never gets higher than 20 deg F, sometimes much colder. You can discharge but you can't charge won't get you too far. Not sure how Teslas get away with this problem of charging at low temps - self battery heaters?. I bought a 40V Li powered Ryobi snowblower (yeah, moment of stupidity) and returned it the next day when the battery charger refused to charge the sub freezing batteries out in the garage - had to bring stuff inside. Never had to bring the gas can inside! So much for advertising the power of gas with the convenience of electricity.

I never plan to have my 914 running in freezing weather, but it does get stinkin hot in Toronto during the summer (definitely in SF) and the engine bay is hot and there is no built battery in cooler. I think the biggest issue with the Li is it needs built in battery management electronics to keep it safe and working (trying to mimic a Pb battery). My Li tool batteries won't charge until they cool down too. Problem with the electronic management is I have no control over what it does and when, which makes it seem unpredictable - although it is kinda neat to get stats from the battery via bluetooth. I think it may be better to invest in an AGM with a larger alternator than pay the premium for a Li battery with worrying where to put it or what safety mode it might be in.

I think the alternator is key here. With all accessories running it really doesn't matter what type of battery you have if you can't supply enough power to keep the battery full.