Talk to me about small batteries...

[dnb]

Another 3 years have happened while I wasn't looking and I find my Griff needs a new battery.

I don't use the car every day now - sometimes it is allowed to lurk in a garage for several weeks at a time - and other times it sits for up to a week on the driveway. I'm told this is part of the pleasure of having children.

Ideally I'd like a small, light weight battery to make more foot room, but I am concerned about them not liking the 300mA constantly drawn by the alarm etc. Turning such things off is not really an option, and neither is using a trickle charger since I have no means of getting electricity to the car. Would a deep cycle "leasure battery" connected into the system (possibly with additional hardware to isolate the starting battery?) while the car is not being used be sufficient to keep the starting battery in good condition? Obviously such a battery would be left at home, so another condition is how long the smaller batteries hold up if we go away for a short holiday in the Griff.

And lastly, what small batteries are available and how do people rate them?

Thanks.

[lotusandy]

There is a discussion over on the chim side that I started a year ago about moving my battery to the boot. The battery I used was a Odyssey PC925 from http://www.odysseybatteriesonline.co.uk
Year later been really pleased with it, no issues at all, I don't tend to use the car in the winter months and the battery survived ok, although I do give it a quick top-up charge every few weeks to be sure. This battery uses quite different technology (AGM) to standard types, and has loads of advantages ..

1. Absorbed glass mat (AGM) maintenance free technology.
2. 200% to 300% more cranking power (quick discharge design).
3. Ideal for high compression and large engines.
4. Very low self discharge, long storage life (2 years).
5. Ideal for vehicles that may be laid up for extended periods, such as classic bikes and cars
6. Minus 40 to plus 70 centigrade operating range.
7. Deep cycle design. (400 times to 80% discharge) Will run flat with no ill effects.

More techno waffle on thier website.

Only real downside is the cost..

Andy

[Pasco]

Dave have a word with Barretti he is well up on this subject now

[2Munkys]

Pasco said:

Dave have a word with Barretti he is well up on this subject now

Batarretti.

[Pasco]

2Munkys said:

Pasco said:

Dave have a word with Barretti he is well up on this subject now

Batarretti.

Sorry Bruce yes thats who i ment

[LordGrover]

whoosh!

[Barreti]

Batarreti
A bit slow off the mark here, but I've been trying to get home from Spain since Monday and finally arrived last night. Our place in Spain might as well be on the moon for all the connection with the outside world it has. I've only just found out who's running this country into the ground these days.

My Varley 25 has been OK since I installed it, though it has only been a few weeks and I keep the car on an Accumate. My next door neighbour pee'd himself when he saw the size of it, and I must admit I had the same reservations as him about it starting that big V8 but there has been no discernable difference in starting.

Have a look at this thread Dave clicky, there is lots of information on the various batteries in there but if you need anything more just yell.

Edited by Barreti on Friday 14th May 15:01

[dnb]

Thanks. Looking now...

[dnb]

Made a decision... Anything red from Varley isn't for me - there's a statement in the instructions that essentially says "Dave will break this in a week".

So I went for the Odyssey after several recomendations. This should give me 15 days or so of "standby" on its own - more than enough for my needs. I will also be installing an isolator so I can use a deep cycle leasure battery in the footwell for longer term storage.

[Guillotine]

Bit late in here, but the odyssey one seems to be the one.

I have ared top and its been fine for 5 years. 1/2 size - 1/2 weight.
But...
Doesn't like deep discharge and if it flattens its finished.

The Odyssey one is a newer design (hybrid lead acid rather than gell/all to do with clever surface area technology i believe) which has all the benefits without the two negs above.
AND as its a newer name its cheaper.

I have to buy one soon for another car and it'll be an Oddy.
Andy

[dnb]

Thought I'd drag this up to add a conclusion. I bought a PC680 battery at the end of May and it's been tied in with string while I sorted out something more permanant.

I opted for the approach of giving Clive a cardboard model of what I wanted and he's made me a super aluminium tray and clamp scheme. There's only one wingnut holding the battery in - much easier than the old scheme!



Not had any problems with battery life while not in use, but I didn't expect any problems until the winter here anyway. All-in-all, it's worked out well and I gained that important 3" of passenger leg room.

Edited by dnb on Monday 12th July 01:34

[Squid Biker]

I've run a Red Top 20 on my bike since 2000. The first one failed in just days over a year from purchase. DMS Technologies who made them from kits received from the US (Odyssey I believe) refused to replace it under warranty despite Demon Tweeks and myself arguing for such. Demon Tweeks replaced it good will themselves. The replacement lasted about 18 months, so I bought another. This also lasted about the same. Despite keeping them on the bike with Optimate hook-up, all the same over the years, no winter use etc etc. The fourth Red Top 20 I bought in July 2006 is still on the bike now and working as good as it did back in 2006. Make of it what you will.

[sgrimshaw]

I had an Odyssey PC925 fitted into the boot of my Chimaera by Dulford Automotive.

The picture on their website is my car.

http://www.dulfordauto.co.uk/content/latest-tvr-ne... at the bottom of the page.