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

[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)

Great input—thank you, and will find and read that thread.

I've gone to LED brake boards (big deal) and am contemplating LED headlights, but also seat heaters and a small electric heater to clear the windshield and/or keep my feet warm in lieu of heat exchangers. There's no radio in the car right now, but that will likely change. Nothing crazy, and no head unit but most likely a small JL amp.

It seems I am going down the same path as you. I have a new Sony XAVAX1000 radio with a tiny Sony XMS400D amp (I wanted CarPlay and had to 3D print a special mount to accommodate the screen on the radio), heated seats, Philips LED sealed beam drop in replacements and LED changeout bulbs everywhere else except the dash.

The small electric heater for the windshield blower is in the back of my mind too. The PO deleted all the cabin heat exchangers when replacing the engine. The ride can get chilly with foggy windows. The only thing that worries me is that heating the air to the blower will need a lot of extra wattage - maybe more than is available. I am hoping the seat heater is enough to keep me warm with maybe an anti-fog spray for the windshield.

[euro911]

You guys with heavy electrical loads might want to look into acquiring a high amperage alternator. Not sure if Pete @pnewman is still offering them ...

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=195244


... or possibly Mark DeBernardi @McMark - I believe he was offering them a while back as well (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.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.

[Jim C]

..
I have this one:

https://www.optimabatteries.com/products/redtop-34-78

It was $260 from advance auto, but I also get a 10% military discount which brought it down to $250 with tax.

Hey @Van B , from the picture at your link (optima 34/78) ..with the side terminals facing towards the engine compartment, aren’t the positive and negative top posts in the wrong location to be ideal? Are you and others just “stretching” the cables over to where they need to be, or maybe just running with the side terminals towards the wheel wells ? Sorry if I’ve got that wrong, I had an optima in a 914 long ago but I’m going off memory at the moment, thanks.


.

Fits perfectly!

Did the hold down come with the battery?

[Van B]

It did. I think it was a little break off part or was taped on. I can’t remember.

[rjames]

Does anyone know if the Rennline mount for the Odyssey PC925 simply bolts it? Does the version with the disconnect switch interfere with anything? This would be for a six, so no rain tray.

Thanks!

The 914 specific Odyssey PC925 mount uses the stock 914 hold down. Mine has the spot for the cutoff switch, but I don't have the switch so I can't tell you if the switch itself interferes with anything.

[raynekat]

My experience with the Anti-Gravity batteries.

Light weight - yes.
Starts the car - yes.
Good at running lots of load - not so much.

If you've got the headlights, wipers, fans on...the battery can't keep up.

This is why I ended up ditching the Anti-Gravity and going with an AGM style battery in the end.

[Montreal914]

Got an Odyssey PC925 7-8 years ago and have been pleased with it. It is small and light. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-PC925-Automo...y/dp/B0002ILK72

I've been trying to keep it charged while I am restoring my car but I probably will have to buy a new one when I put the car back on the road.

[rjames]

Got an Odyssey PC925 7-8 years ago and have been pleased with it. It is small and light. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

https://www.amazon.com/Odyssey-PC925-Automo...y/dp/B0002ILK72

I've been trying to keep it charged while I am restoring my car but I probably will have to buy a new one when I put the car back on the road.

Odyssey documentation states that the battery can be stored for 2 years at a fully charged state. If you're not driving the car, charge the battery and put it on a shelf.

[zoomCat]

I've looked into this DieHard (AGM) battery; does require a small bit of edge triming off off the left and right side of the battery tray. Always been a DieHard fan, also use Optima Red as well.

This is now available in Group 96R, just a tad smaller and should be in a drop in replacement for the original Group 42.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/diehard...?source=certona

[Rand]

The latest and best if LIFEPO!!
Come on people, if you still think other chemicals are better, learn up.

[Rand]

I was all Odyssey. Until LiFePO4 came along. They will catch up and then it will be in their next lineup...

[914_7T3]

I've looked into this DieHard (AGM) battery; does require a small bit of edge triming off off the left and right side of the battery tray. Always been a DieHard fan, also use Optima Red as well.

This is now available in Group 96R, just a tad smaller and should be in a drop in replacement for the original Group 42.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/diehard...?source=certona

96R is indeed the drop In replacement and the Die Hard is also the private label manufacturer for Auto Craft sold through advanced auto parts.

[CCE]

I used to have the specified type 42 battery, I have installed a CB performance coil, distributor and cable kit, and a tiny blaupunkt stereo, with no amp, and had big issues with the charge, I also burned a coil, don’t really know if it had anything to do, but eventually the 42 died. I now installed an optima yellow top, and since it all disappeared.
(Still Need some cleanup to do, please pardon my mess jiji)