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Since the search function on this site leaves something to be desired...

What is the lightweight battery I should be looking at getting for my STS Honda Lemming?  Where should I buy them?  My car typically only drives to and from events; no daily driving, and no cold weather.

Thanks.

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Aut tace aut loquere meliora silentio.

Andy had a great write up in Grassroots Motorsports about losing weight in a Miata.  Great article.  The lightest batteries are from motorcycles but be careful if you plan on driving it for more than just autox. 

 

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Ryan K

We've run the motorcycle batteries from walmart before and they will work great.........for short period of time......

My opinion, having used both, is to stick with the Odyssey batteries http://www.odysseybatteries.com/batteries.htm

They cost a bit more but are well worth it.......

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I live my life one cone at a time........

+1 for the Odyssey battery.  I've been using the PC680 for the last few years and had no problems.

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John
Utah Region, #23 CSP Miata

If anyone wants Odyssey PC680s, LMK as we're a dealer. The PC680 is the most popular size, my current one is still going strong and is over 2 years old in an Evo. I did kill one once by not using a cheap trickle charger when the car sat for extended periods. 

Odyssey actually recommends the MT 680 for automotive use, which has a metal jacket to shield it from heat. I also have a PC540? that is a bit lighter and may try that out next. 

We also offer a very light wt. laser-cut aluminum hold-down bracket for the PC 680.

 

Rick 

I had a 12 lb Odyssey PC535 in my Miata for a year or two, but switched it out this year (still worked fine) for a much lighter Magnapower ETX9 battery from a local Meijer store, only $55 and about 6 lbs. Works great, and I usually leave them in year round. In the past I've also used a PC680 as well as a couple Hawker G13EP's.

The $18 tractor battery from Walmart is working pretty well for me. It is certainly not the lightest battery out there, but I keep thinking it would be great basis for a cheap electric vehicle.

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Matthew Huizing
1995 Saturn SC2 - H Stock
1993 Geo Storm GSi - STS

Matthew:

The $18 tractor battery from Walmart is working pretty well for me. It is certainly not the lightest battery out there, but I keep thinking it would be great basis for a cheap electric vehicle.

 

Ditto...$25.00 and 10 pounds on the scale in the department located around the corner in my local Walmart.  375CA/275CCA--has worked wonderfully since we put it in this spring. 

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Erik B.
Wisconsin Autocrossers, Inc
www.waiautox.org ___/\___/\___/\___/\___/\___
2007 Mazda6
2000 "Fozda" ZX2 S/R--STS Anti-Civic

redwhale240:

Andy had a great write up in Grassroots Motorsports about losing weight in a Miata.  Great article.  The lightest batteries are from motorcycles but be careful if you plan on driving it for more than just autox. 

 +1

I've been using the battery from the Hollis blog on my Miata.  The car has been my DD for 3000 miles now as well as ~80 runs.  Works great.  I expect to keep it on a bettery tender over the winter and will see if I can get another summer out of it.  I don't see why not as long as I don't kill it some how.  It is 5 lbs and people laugh when they see it.

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1991 Miata STS2
Recovering former member of the pushrod posse

G. Jay:

redwhale240:

Andy had a great write up in Grassroots Motorsports about losing weight in a Miata.  Great article.  The lightest batteries are from motorcycles but be careful if you plan on driving it for more than just autox. 

 +1

I've been using the battery from the Hollis blog on my Miata.  The car has been my DD for 3000 miles now as well as ~80 runs.  Works great.  I expect to keep it on a bettery tender over the winter and will see if I can get another summer out of it.  I don't see why not as long as I don't kill it some how.  It is 5 lbs and people laugh when they see it.

As long as you remember to turn your accessories off.

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Ryan K

redwhale240:

 

As long as you remember to turn your accessories off.

So true.  I added a NAPA "lights on buzzer" and wrote it up in the Miata.net garage.  It went in easily and works great.  It's saved me several times.

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1991 Miata STS2
Recovering former member of the pushrod posse

 

How about
 

ATPs UltraBat-13 battery are the ultimate in high power density non-spillable SLA batteries. UltraBat-13  Voltage: 12.6 VDC, Energy: 13AH cap., Peak current: 650A instantaneous, Weight: 10.8 lbs., Size: 3-3/8"l x 7"w x 5"h
   
Or The UltraStart-Red is ideal for starting light aircraft engines for ultralight & experimental aircraft & other internal combustion engines up to 100HP. Typical applications include all Rotax 2 & 4 stroke engines and HKS 4-stroke engines. UltraStart-Red - Voltage: 12.6 VDC, Energy: 5AH cap., Peak current: 250A instantaneous, Weight: 4.4 lbs., Size: 2.7"l x 3.5"w x 4.5"h
 

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Mike H
91 Miata #43 STS2
Digital Immigrant

We run lightweight batteries in all of our street/autocross cars for years. Cheapest way to lose weight in Solo.

The AGM style batteries are the best - they don't de-gas so they don't need to be vented, are not affected by vibration, and can be mounted in almost any orientaiton. We had great luck with Odyssey AGM batteries for years (PC680). They tend to last 2-3 years with regular street use. Limited reserve (don't leave your lights on) of course. Lately we found the Deka brand "AGM" batteries to be just as good and priced a bit better.

http://www.dcpoweronline.com/index.php/cPath/31 - this is where we've bought several.

http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/assets/base/0278.pdf - Deka spec sheets (sizes, weights)

All of the Dekas have an M6 threaded home on both posts, just like the DynaBat, Odyssey, etc. Use the Werker SAE posts for automotive use (if you have "top post" style cables).

Left: Deka ETX18L (larger than PC680). R: Odyssey PC680.

Our BMW E30 STS car has the ETX18L (17.5 pounds) and our BMW E36 LS1 XP car has the same unit. The E30 has had zero issues with about a year of use, including regular daily driving down to 20°F weather. The same unit in our V8 powered race car does an admiral job as well, but if it sits for weeks we need to trickle charge it.

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Terry Fair - www.vorshlag.com - www.ast-usa.com
'93 BMW E36-LS1 (XP/TTU), '91 BMW 318is (STS), '08 EVO X (STU/TTB)
Check out the SCCAForums Vorshlag Sub-Forum

I'm using a 6 1/2 lb Magnapower ETX9 (could be a rebranded Dekka?) in my Miata that was bought locally for $55 IIRC. Works fine, it replaced a heavier Odyssey PC535.