Battery's any other option?

[CTrickle]

Hi all.

I've got to replace my battery and just before I do I wondered if anyone is using one of these lightweight batteries on their cars?

I use one on my motorcycle and th weight saving is really impressive.

If anyone is or has any advice where to buy from please let me know.

Thanks
Ed

[DCL]

Although more expensive, I think Lithium Ion is the way to go. Once you've used them, it makes lead acid technology look primitive, messy, and rather archaic.

[CTrickle]

So true, the one in my bike is amazing.

Do you have any advice where to try and buy one?

[DCL]

I fitted a Super B 10 AH, and although it was probably one of most expensive on the market, I think it was worth it. Friends who have gone the cheaper route seem to have had more problems, so you probably get what you pay for. Demon Tweeks is where I got mine. Perhaps a key to reliability is to get out of the 'lead acid mentality' and keep them slightly discharged. Definitely do not trickle charge them, or store them fully charged.

[neil-935ql]

I replaced mine last year with an odyssey battery , it's been fine so far no problems at all , battery model number is pc680

[CTrickle]

Well upon looking for a Lithium Iron battery they appear quite hard to find....

If anyone has a good source for one that doesn't cost a million pounds please let me know, as with all things I guess they will reduce in price gradually.

[KN02LEY]

Have a look at this one on Daniel French's blog:

here

[KN02LEY]

Sorry, should say its not cheap but it will perhaps give you a better starting point for your search.

[CTrickle]

KN02LEY said:

Sorry, should say its not cheap but it will perhaps give you a better starting point for your search.

Many thanks, he had previously used the Odyssey battery which seems like a nice upgrade without breaking the bank.

[CTrickle]

neil-935ql said:

I replaced mine last year with an odyssey battery , it's been fine so far no problems at all , battery model number is pc680

Hi Neil,

What motor do you run in your car? I have an 1800 Zetec, the ratings on the Odyssey PC680 seem a little low but if it works then I'm really keen due to the slight weight saving and its size.

The battery I have currently is rated CCA - 290 and AH 24 but the Odyssey is rated CA - 170 and AH - 16, they do how ever mention a PHCA rating which is a whopping 520 but I'm not sure what that is!

Anyway, if you could let me know what motor yours turns over then I think that will put my mind at rest and I'll just order the bloomin thing!

Thanks
Ed.

[neil-935ql]

CTrickle said:

Hi Neil,

What motor do you run in your car? I have an 1800 Zetec, the ratings on the Odyssey PC680 seem a little low but if it works then I'm really keen due to the slight weight saving and its size.

The battery I have currently is rated CCA - 290 and AH 24 but the Odyssey is rated CA - 170 and AH - 16, they do how ever mention a PHCA rating which is a whopping 520 but I'm not sure what that is!

Anyway, if you could let me know what motor yours turns over then I think that will put my mind at rest and I'll just order the bloomin thing!
Hi , my car runs a 1.8 k series on RBTB and it's been fine so far on the pc680 , I do drive the car at least once a week so not sure how it stacks up if it's been sat a while . I think odyssey do plenty of other size / output Batterys in the range if your worried , I guess the 680 is good because of its size / weight 5.5 kg I believe . Demon tweets do it for around the 100 pound mark , cheers
Thanks
Ed.

[Order66]

CTrickle said:

Hi Neil,

I have an 1800 Zetec, the ratings on the Odyssey PC680 seem a little low

PC680 is what Caterham fit to the 620R in the factory and I've seen it on many other duratec/k-series, will work fine on the Zetec

[CTrickle]

Order66 said:

PC680 is what Caterham fit to the 620R in the factory and I've seen it on many other duratec/k-series, will work fine on the Zetec

Great news....... as I have ordered one!

Looking forward to getting the car out!!

[tight fart]

Pc680 has been trouble free in my 2L Zetec.

[mharris]

Dont worry about the Odyssey PC680. It has power way beyond what its spec suggests.

[fergus]

What's the difference between Odessey and cheaper batteries which share the same specification?

I use one of these for my K series: https://www.rapidonline.com/haze-hzb12-18-12v-18ah...

[BertBert]

Possibly the cranking voltage? I have no idea if it is different, but I had a whole world of pain with the gel lead acid battery I decided to 'upgrade' to on my k-r500 (with a lovely non-bodged custom battery tray!). Loads of non-starting. Caterham said that the cranking voltage was too low for the MBE ECU. I measured it and they were right. Changed to a Banner and all was good

fergus said:

What's the difference between Odessey and cheaper batteries which share the same specification?

I use one of these for my K series: https://www.rapidonline.com/haze-hzb12-18-12v-18ah...

[DCL]

Leaving capacity aside, the main difference is the internal resistance. You can get high cranking current from a battery with a low internal resistance, but the voltage will drop more than from a battery with higher internal resistance. For lead acid, the physical construction and size generally determines it, but when you are selling small compact batteries, marketing may target cranking figures. As said above The ecu requires sufficient voltage (9 volts IIRC) to operate, so best to select a battery of similar all round spec to the one you are replacing.

[Edit: I think my logic may be the wrong way round but the principle is sound]

Edited by DCL on Thursday 25th May 22:25

[BertBert]

IIRC, it needed to be more than 9v for the MBE ECU, that was the problem.

[Carsten]

I build the battery tray for Daniel back than. My standard battery was broken too and i though an upgrade of the battery was a good idea, and it turned out it really is. Saved rougly 7kg and the starting power is much better. I had not detached the battery during the winter and was just using the cut off and it started after 5 months perfectly. The self discharge rate is incredible low, which is quite nice for a car like our caterhams.

I have a few battery trays left. The battery is build here in germany with A123 cells and a balancer modul inside. In addition Meteor Motorsport is selling a really good battery aswell.