Varley red top 30 battery disillusion.
Discussion
I just swapped in a lightweight red top Varley race battery and it's already 3 times I have to jump start my Griffith...I was atracted by the 9 kgs only weight of the type 30...but I believe I'll go back to my standard battery.
Just a few min ago I've tried to start my Griffith but after turning the engine about 10 revs It died flat....
I know that my car is leaking energy slowly from the battery when unused but if with the old battery it took from 8 to 10 days to find it flat, with this new one it takes only two days...also I have the impression it doesn't take the charge properly from the alternator, two days ago I've driven more then 50 miles at good speed to see if it took the charge...if seemingly it wasn't enough.
Dumpt streight away or is there some trick to save it?
Just a few min ago I've tried to start my Griffith but after turning the engine about 10 revs It died flat....
I know that my car is leaking energy slowly from the battery when unused but if with the old battery it took from 8 to 10 days to find it flat, with this new one it takes only two days...also I have the impression it doesn't take the charge properly from the alternator, two days ago I've driven more then 50 miles at good speed to see if it took the charge...if seemingly it wasn't enough.
Dumpt streight away or is there some trick to save it?
Was it brand new?
Red Tops don't like being mistreated. If it's ever been left to run properly flat, it may never recover. They can also be worse than lead/acid in cold weather.
Also, does the 30 have the right cranking amps/life for a big Griffith motor? I use a small red top (think it might be a 20) on my Caterham and it's always worked fine. Weighs next to nothing. Is tiny. But it's not cranking much (10.5:1 compression, 4cyl 1.8), is always kept on a maintainer and I have a spare that's ready to roll too
Have you tested how many volts you're getting before and after a run with the battery disconnected?
You don't get weight savings without some trade off somewhere (price, cranking capacity etc).
Red Tops don't like being mistreated. If it's ever been left to run properly flat, it may never recover. They can also be worse than lead/acid in cold weather.
Also, does the 30 have the right cranking amps/life for a big Griffith motor? I use a small red top (think it might be a 20) on my Caterham and it's always worked fine. Weighs next to nothing. Is tiny. But it's not cranking much (10.5:1 compression, 4cyl 1.8), is always kept on a maintainer and I have a spare that's ready to roll too
Have you tested how many volts you're getting before and after a run with the battery disconnected?
You don't get weight savings without some trade off somewhere (price, cranking capacity etc).
Murph7355 said:
Was it brand new?
Red Tops don't like being mistreated. If it's ever been left to run properly flat, it may never recover. They can also be worse than lead/acid in cold weather.
Also, does the 30 have the right cranking amps/life for a big Griffith motor? I use a small red top (think it might be a 20) on my Caterham and it's always worked fine. Weighs next to nothing. Is tiny. But it's not cranking much (10.5:1 compression, 4cyl 1.8), is always kept on a maintainer and I have a spare that's ready to roll too
Have you tested how many volts you're getting before and after a run with the battery disconnected?
You don't get weight savings without some trade off somewhere (price, cranking capacity etc).
Yes, it's brand new.Red Tops don't like being mistreated. If it's ever been left to run properly flat, it may never recover. They can also be worse than lead/acid in cold weather.
Also, does the 30 have the right cranking amps/life for a big Griffith motor? I use a small red top (think it might be a 20) on my Caterham and it's always worked fine. Weighs next to nothing. Is tiny. But it's not cranking much (10.5:1 compression, 4cyl 1.8), is always kept on a maintainer and I have a spare that's ready to roll too
Have you tested how many volts you're getting before and after a run with the battery disconnected?
You don't get weight savings without some trade off somewhere (price, cranking capacity etc).
First time it got flat I charged it with a pro equipment for the whole weekend and it worked well for sometimes...but then I couldn't get the car for a few dyas and it was flat again, I cranked the car with another battery but even driving for many miles the battery never got the proper charge.
The 30 suits the Griffith all right, the problem seems to be that it can't keep the charge for long and for some reason it doesn't get the right amount of charge from the alternator either....
Hi,
I've run a red top in mine for around 5 years now. Can't remember whether its a 30 0r 40, but its worked flawlessly.
They don't like slow drain.
They REALLY don't like discharge.
Total discharge = throw it away.
If you replace it and plug in an accumate or similar when not in use it'll be fine.
They state all this clearly in the manual/website etc.
My guess is that It didn't charge properly because of the previous discharge.
Andy
I've run a red top in mine for around 5 years now. Can't remember whether its a 30 0r 40, but its worked flawlessly.
They don't like slow drain.
They REALLY don't like discharge.
Total discharge = throw it away.
If you replace it and plug in an accumate or similar when not in use it'll be fine.
They state all this clearly in the manual/website etc.
My guess is that It didn't charge properly because of the previous discharge.
Andy
Simon Says said:
Would it not be worth checking the drain 1st 8 to 10 days don't sound right,i can go 3 weeks + with a slightly undersized battery with the alarm on,are you sure the alternator is putting out enough juice(even a low output can keep the light out)may be worth getting a charge and drain test carried out 1st 
The alternator is ok, it used to keep the other battery fresh and sound if I used the car at least twice a week, even for short runs.What I must find is where from the car is slowly draining the charge of batteries...maybe the alarm? I have never connected nor used it since day one, when I bought the Griffith... in 1.996...
I also have to flag an interest. Solely to reduce the size of the battery box potentially for the leg room ahead of a re-trim so that I can get it carpeted with a revised battery box in place, but if they're this much aggravation then I won't bother as the missus legs aren't going to grow any longer and she's confortable in there already . . .
2Munkys said:
I'm interested in the outcome of all this as I had considered one of these things. How much weight do they save? Could be they're just not worth it for road use?
I think it might be wroth for the road, I believe I've made a first bad mistake not reading the charging instructions...infact I've connected the battery out of the box without giving it a nice overnight charge first...Anyhow I'll do my last attempt by fully recharging it with a pro equipment and then what's done is done..
The battery feels light compared to the stock, Varley claims a weight of around 9 kgs for it....
Panic,
Once its stuffed, thats it. It won't hold full charge again. You can't "repair" these.
Bruce (2Munkys)
Saves about 50% on weight and could be located in any plane.
Fine if kept correctly charged 1st, 2 years of mine were road use. 12000miles No probs
Finally (Johno) space. main reason i did mine. Cut the battery box down to 50% width, moved ecu to above glove box, all gained about 3.5 inces in legroom.
Plenty for my passenger to stretch her legs!
Once its stuffed, thats it. It won't hold full charge again. You can't "repair" these.
Bruce (2Munkys)
Saves about 50% on weight and could be located in any plane.
Fine if kept correctly charged 1st, 2 years of mine were road use. 12000miles No probs
Finally (Johno) space. main reason i did mine. Cut the battery box down to 50% width, moved ecu to above glove box, all gained about 3.5 inces in legroom.
Plenty for my passenger to stretch her legs!
Edited by Guillotine on Wednesday 17th March 17:15
Johno said:
Cheers Andy . . ECU already relocated above glovebox, so may follow on with battery box cut down . .
Let us know how you get on Johno. Seems they like a good isolating from vibration so I guess you'll need to leave sufficient space for a damping medium. Are these things available with regular terminal posts? Couldn't see anything on the website.2Munkys said:
Johno said:
Cheers Andy . . ECU already relocated above glovebox, so may follow on with battery box cut down . .
Let us know how you get on Johno. Seems they like a good isolating from vibration so I guess you'll need to leave sufficient space for a damping medium. Are these things available with regular terminal posts? Couldn't see anything on the website.A
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