Battery recommendations - Bang/Buck/Weight

Jayhovah · 02-13-2017, 01:28 PM

I think I've mortally wounded my stock battery over the holidays by draining it to near empty... After getting everything back up and running I went on a trip for 6 days and had to jumpstart the car when I got back. A new battery is likely in the near future for me.

I see some guys are running smaller power-sports types of batteries that are cheap. How is that going? Anything there that will hold a charge and still crank after a couple of weeks?

There are also some smaller lithium ion based batteries that can be had for not a lot more than a OEM autoparts store replacement... Any benefits to the Li-ion tech for a car battery? Perhaps comparable power at a lighter weight?

Any bang/buck sweetspot battery that many folks are using?

I figure I will end up just getting a OE-replacement...but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing an easy chance to shed some weight.

Dirk McGurck · 02-13-2017, 02:01 PM

I have a Walmart Maxx battery. The ones up here are made in Philly. Sealed, so no leaks, and the previous one lasted 5 years.

crazy4oldcars · 02-13-2017, 02:38 PM

Given the issues lithium ion batteries have with heat, I wouldn't put one in my car.
I would go with the yellow top AGM battery.
Lighter, stronger, can handle a deep discharge, and sealed. What's not to love?
(Except the price, right?)

Kirk B.

Jayhovah · 02-20-2017, 10:53 AM

Bump.... didn't drive my car since Friday evening and couldn't crank this morning... Any new suggestions? If not, looks like I'll be pulling it today or tomorrow and replacing it with an OE-replacement like the Maxx that Dirk suggested.

crazy4oldcars · 02-20-2017, 12:42 PM

Nope. Looks like it's time to throw money at the problem.
While you're at the battery store, get an automatic charger to keep it topped off when you aren't using it.
Good luck!

Kirk B.

jaedub · 02-20-2017, 01:08 PM

Have you tried using AAA batteries?

In all seriousness, check your current battery life at either Pep Boys or Autozone. They'll check it free of charge. I bought something similar to OEM battery which cost me around $110. I doubt you can buy a factory similar battery for under $100.

Raeshlavik · 02-20-2017, 01:27 PM

I've always used Optima batteries in my racers as they can tolerate rough-service like the g's and vibration of track use, and don't leak...

gbrettin · 02-20-2017, 06:39 PM

Braille Light Weight Battery B129 (Recommended Race only): 9lbs (4.1kg) | Reduction: 26lbs (11.79kg)
Braille Light Weight Battery B14115 (Recommended Race only): 11.5lbs (5kg) | Reduction: 23.5lbs (10.66kg)
Braille Light Weight Battery B14115: 15lbs (6.8kg) | Reduction: 20lbs (9.07kg)
Odyssey Light Weight Battery PC680: 14lbs (6.35kg) | Reduction: 21lbs (9.53kg)

The 370Z Weight Reduction Thread

AutoCraft Gold Battery, Group Size 151R, 340 CCA 151R: Search no more for the best at Advance Auto Parts
Lithium Ion Battery

Jayhovah · 02-21-2017, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrettin

Braille Light Weight Battery B129 (Recommended Race only): 9lbs (4.1kg) | Reduction: 26lbs (11.79kg)
Braille Light Weight Battery B14115 (Recommended Race only): 11.5lbs (5kg) | Reduction: 23.5lbs (10.66kg)
Braille Light Weight Battery B14115: 15lbs (6.8kg) | Reduction: 20lbs (9.07kg)
Odyssey Light Weight Battery PC680: 14lbs (6.35kg) | Reduction: 21lbs (9.53kg)

The 370Z Weight Reduction Thread

AutoCraft Gold Battery, Group Size 151R, 340 CCA 151R: Search no more for the best at Advance Auto Parts
Lithium Ion Battery

Any problems with that Autocraft battery since you got it? Can you let it sit for days or weeks without losing charge? Looks like a great option.

gbrettin · 02-21-2017, 08:51 AM

I have been using it since 2014 with no issues. My car typically gets driven when it's 35+ degrees so it seems to handle cold cranking just fine on the nippy mornings. It's probably the best compromise for what you are looking for.

The only thing you need to do will be to modify the OEM brace like I did. Drill the pinch weld on the "L" clip that secures the battery, resize to the width and then re-weld.

gbrettin · 02-21-2017, 09:15 AM

One more thought... I run an after market deck but no other major draws on the battery. You might not want to run a smaller battery if you have a large audio system or some other major draw.

Jayhovah · 02-21-2017, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrettin

One more thought... I run an after market deck but no other major draws on the battery. You might not want to run a smaller battery if you have a large audio system or some other major draw.

That is a really good point. Right now I am just running a deck, but also just purchased an amp/sub. Didn't think about that part.... I'll probably go OE replacement then. Bummer.

SouthArk370Z · 02-21-2017, 09:57 AM

You're not going to find a "perfect" battery (price, durability, CCA, weight, etc all in one). It sounds to me like you've come up with the best option for your circumstances - a more-or-less OEM-spec unit. Living in a warm area, you can probably get away with a few less CCA (which should mean a little less weight) than the manual calls for.

I'm guessing that a near-perfect and reasonably priced car battery will come along in the next 5-7 years as a result of power generation/storage technology. Maybe sooner if they can get the cost of some of the "exotics" down.

takjak2 · 02-23-2017, 11:58 AM

PC680 best bang for the buck if the weight will be significant to you.

ChaseZ · 02-23-2017, 07:24 PM

May not be entirely practical, but it's certainly the more interesting option....

02-13-2017, 02:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dirk McGurck Track Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Delaware Posts: 715 Drives: 09 MB 370Z Touring Rep Power: 20	I have a Walmart Maxx battery. The ones up here are made in Philly. Sealed, so no leaks, and the previous one lasted 5 years. __________________ 2009 370Z Touring with Sport

02-13-2017, 02:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
crazy4oldcars Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Texas Posts: 448 Drives: '16 Nismo Tech Rep Power: 28412	Given the issues lithium ion batteries have with heat, I wouldn't put one in my car. I would go with the yellow top AGM battery. Lighter, stronger, can handle a deep discharge, and sealed. What's not to love? (Except the price, right?) Kirk B. onzedge likes this.

02-20-2017, 06:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,237 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 542172	Braille Light Weight Battery B129 (Recommended Race only): 9lbs (4.1kg) \| Reduction: 26lbs (11.79kg) Braille Light Weight Battery B14115 (Recommended Race only): 11.5lbs (5kg) \| Reduction: 23.5lbs (10.66kg) Braille Light Weight Battery B14115: 15lbs (6.8kg) \| Reduction: 20lbs (9.07kg) Odyssey Light Weight Battery PC680: 14lbs (6.35kg) \| Reduction: 21lbs (9.53kg) The 370Z Weight Reduction Thread AutoCraft Gold Battery, Group Size 151R, 340 CCA 151R: Search no more for the best at Advance Auto Parts Lithium Ion Battery Z Runner and Fren_Z like this.

02-21-2017, 09:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,237 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 542172	One more thought... I run an after market deck but no other major draws on the battery. You might not want to run a smaller battery if you have a large audio system or some other major draw. Jayhovah likes this.

02-21-2017, 09:57 AM	#13 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	You're not going to find a "perfect" battery (price, durability, CCA, weight, etc all in one). It sounds to me like you've come up with the best option for your circumstances - a more-or-less OEM-spec unit. Living in a warm area, you can probably get away with a few less CCA (which should mean a little less weight) than the manual calls for. I'm guessing that a near-perfect and reasonably priced car battery will come along in the next 5-7 years as a result of power generation/storage technology. Maybe sooner if they can get the cost of some of the "exotics" down. gbrettin likes this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

02-20-2017, 12:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
crazy4oldcars Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Texas Posts: 448 Drives: '16 Nismo Tech Rep Power: 28412	Nope. Looks like it's time to throw money at the problem. While you're at the battery store, get an automatic charger to keep it topped off when you aren't using it. Good luck! Kirk B.

02-20-2017, 01:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
jaedub Track Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 906 Drives: 2010 Black 370Z MT Rep Power: 304	Have you tried using AAA batteries? In all seriousness, check your current battery life at either Pep Boys or Autozone. They'll check it free of charge. I bought something similar to OEM battery which cost me around $110. I doubt you can buy a factory similar battery for under $100.

02-20-2017, 01:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Raeshlavik Base Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 132 Drives: 18 Murano Midnight Rep Power: 8	I've always used Optima batteries in my racers as they can tolerate rough-service like the g's and vibration of track use, and don't leak...

02-21-2017, 08:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,237 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 542172	I have been using it since 2014 with no issues. My car typically gets driven when it's 35+ degrees so it seems to handle cold cranking just fine on the nippy mornings. It's probably the best compromise for what you are looking for. The only thing you need to do will be to modify the OEM brace like I did. Drill the pinch weld on the "L" clip that secures the battery, resize to the width and then re-weld.

02-23-2017, 11:58 AM	#14 (permalink)
takjak2 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 1,922 Drives: Legit Racecar 370Z Rep Power: 142	PC680 best bang for the buck if the weight will be significant to you. __________________ Mods \| Stuff \| Things \| Seat Time \| Nismo facebook.com/TeamSparrowSpeed

02-23-2017, 07:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
ChaseZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2016 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,799 Drives: 16 370z Rep Power: 94682	May not be entirely practical, but it's certainly the more interesting option.... SouthArk370Z likes this.

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