Have been toying with the idea of getting a light weight racing battery for a while now to put in my RX8. My knowlege in the matter is pretty limited. Tried doing a search on this and various forums with no real answers to the questions i have. I use my car as a daily driver and it is pretty much 99% stock.
My questions are...
Do racing batteries last just as long as the standard batteries that are supplied?
Is there anything to look out for when getting a light weight battery? Just general tips in choosing 1 and what to watch out for.
Any down sides to using a light weight battery over the regular batteries?
Any brand/model recomendations from any1?
And finally where could u point me to, to make this purchase?
Blitzboy uses one in his FD, he might be able to help you.. :cheers
I used to have a small race battery in my Nissan.
I think it was a Varley redtop.
If you use your car daily I don`t see a problem, but as mine was used only on a weekend, the battery would be flat if left on the car after 3 or 4 days.
My car also had fitted a large ice install, various electronic gauges and a satnav.
Rotaryart sell the race batteries so it may help to speak to g11ary ?
I hope that is of some use.
Our race bateries are used by the MOD, small piece of info here
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Misc_Electronics.html
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Batteries.html
Also try //www.knightbatteries.com
Look at the Odessey PC 680, I have just got one of these- seem very good.
As your using as a daily driver, you should have no problems at all.
Sometimes when left the battery will loose charge. I havent been driving my motor much lately (as fitting to many bits and bobs), and start it about once, maybe twice aweek- Has started first time everytime!
HTH Rich
Yeah I use the Red Top Varley 25, didnt use the car for about 5 days but started first time when I went back to it.
http://www.apexperformance.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=837&PHPSESSID=56dc99a5e3db93d5d7b0a21d903db33e
Make sure you order the special battery terminals for £14 quid to go with it makes them compatiable straight away with your female battery terminals on your car saves you hacking your current ones off and crimping some small terminals on
Blitzboy- do you know if Apex do any battery brackets??. Need one for myself.
Cheers Rich
I modified the brackets that came with my FMIC kit, not happy with the location, Im gonna move my battery to the side of the engine bay and weld a small shelf there
Thanks guys:) am planning on trying to find a place 2 move the racing battery to in my 8. Know of a guy who moved it to where the washer fluid bottle curretly is.The biggest factor is if i can get off my lazy butt to actually do the mod:p
Oh an u all seemed to mention that it may lose charge if left for periods of time. That is a lil concerning as sometimes i get called away from home for jobs so i might not use the car for a month. That could b a problem rite?
Quote from: Spectre26Oh an u all seemed to mention that it may lose charge if left for periods of time. That is a lil concerning as sometimes i get called away from home for jobs so i might not use the car for a month. That could b a problem rite?
I looked into this and if you check the capacity you will see that they are very low so i ended up moving my battery to the where the rear seats used to be because i didnt fancy the idea of getting caught out :)
Quote from: rs125I looked into this and if you check the capacity you will see that they are very low so i ended up moving my battery to the where the rear seats used to be because i didnt fancy the idea of getting caught out :)
So how is moving the battery to the rear seat position saving you from not getting caught out? or is it you have moved your standard battery?
In regards to not using your car for a month yes it will be a problem for these type of batteries. But I think most normal batteries will have trouble keeping a charge for that amount of time
Quote from: BlitzBoySo how is moving the battery to the rear seat position saving you from not getting caught out? or is it you have moved your standard battery?
I only had a very small battery on my car due to the FMIC so i removed that battery and fitted a heavy duty one in the rear seat position..
I will check my old battery capacity with my new one tonight, I know the cranking amps are more on my new one, but the capacity im unsure of
If your car is outside, or anywhere where a little light might get to it for a while. Why not get one of those solar trickle chargers which plug into the cigarette lighter, that way when you go off for a month you should come back and be able to fire the beast up ??!??
Check out: http://www.tgincar.co.uk/ They sell them for £14.99
Click on the "Other" icon, bottom left of the screen and select the Solar Charger
good idea!!!! gonna buy one of those next month
Quote from: PointmanIf your car is outside, or anywhere where a little light might get to it for a while. Why not get one of those solar trickle chargers which plug into the cigarette lighter, that way when you go off for a month you should come back and be able to fire the beast up ??!??
Check out: http://www.tgincar.co.uk/ They sell them for £14.99
Click on the "Other" icon, bottom left of the screen and select the Solar Charger
great idea :) cheers for the tip.
Glad I could help :)