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Nov. 18, 2008 10:23 a.m. emodspitfire New Reader

Folks,

So at the last weigh in the Racecar was portly by about 60 pounds....

It currently has a standard spec battery that weighs 34 pounds.

Does anyone know of guidelines that will help select a lightweight battery?

Motor specs: 3.5l Buick V8, 11:00 to 1 compression. Starts easily with current Battery/carb/etc. Rarely started below 40 degrees F.

I am looking for a 14 or 15 pound battery. Can I get one of these that will start the motor and cost less than $100?

TIA,

Rog Smith
Nov. 18, 2008 10:36 a.m. Autolex Reader

odyssey PC680, 15Lbs, I paid right at $100 shipped for mine.
Nov. 18, 2008 12:52 p.m. iceracer Reader

That's what I use but it has to only start 2.0L.
Nov. 18, 2008 1:00 p.m. wherethefmi2000 New Reader

try a motorcycle battery, you might be surprised what they can do. most motorcycles have a compression ratio of 12:1 or more, may be even tougher to start than a 3.5l buick , but I dunno.
Nov. 18, 2008 1:29 p.m. Paul_VR6 New Reader

I use a Deka ETX14L they're about $70 online, works fine all summer to crank 2.8L. The dead of winter it cranks slowly.
Nov. 18, 2008 2:38 p.m. Will New Reader

A Braille B14115 works well on my 3.8 liter supercharged Ford V6, but compression is only 8.85:1.
Nov. 18, 2008 3:20 p.m. blaze86vic New Reader

I use a Hawker Genesis G16EP, 13.5lbs. It is used to crank over a 2.5L 12.5:1 compression 4 cylinder. Not only will it crank the motor, but with a welded diff I accidentally tried to start the car while it was in reverse and strapped to the trailer still. It managed to spin both tires and crank the motor, so I think it should do fine on about anything. :)
Nov. 18, 2008 4:38 p.m. Hasbro HalfDork

blaze86vic wrote:

I use a Hawker Genesis G16EP, 13.5lbs. It is used to crank over a 2.5L 12.5:1 compression 4 cylinder. Not only will it crank the motor, but with a welded diff I accidentally tried to start the car while it was in reverse and strapped to the trailer still. It managed to spin both tires and crank the motor, so I think it should do fine on about anything. :)

Pretty informative:

http://www.stealth316.com/2-dynabatt.htm
Nov. 18, 2008 7:16 p.m. Will New Reader

Powermaster also unveiled a new line of very small batteries at SEMA (one is 4 pounds) that are interesting.
Nov. 19, 2008 12:25 p.m. emodspitfire New Reader

Guys,

Thanks for all the help. The URL from Hasbro was excellent.

I have been trolling the WEB for about an hour looking for a standard Battery box for this size battery....No Luck.

Any Guidance for small plastic battery boxes?

Thanks,

Rog
Nov. 19, 2008 12:31 p.m. GameboyRMH SuperDork

Hmm I might pick up one of these for the AE92 and put my (still too heavy) Hankook gel battery in the Sammy to replace that leaky flooded lead-acid POS in there right now.
Nov. 19, 2008 12:54 p.m. Autolex Reader

I got my PC680 and a folded aluminum (sleeve style) bracket for $133 Shipped.

Here

The Batt is $121 and the code at the top of the description gives you another $20 off, and the bracket is $32. I am pretty sure I had free shipping.
Nov. 19, 2008 11:58 p.m. evildky Dork

I also have the 680 in my 240Z, I got ait a few yers ago and got it for under $100, wieghs 13 lbs and works great so long as you don't leave any accessories on
Dec. 25, 2008 11:21 a.m. emodspitfire New Reader

Thanks again to all the posters.

I bought the Hawker Genesys 12V16EP. Cranks the motor like a charm.

Battery box headscratchers....

SCCA Solo rules say that "..any Wet cell battery moved from standard position MUST be in a battery box...."

After talking with the Hawker sales engineer, she stated that the battery above is NOT a Gel cell. (Gel cells do not require a battery box per SCCA.), and the Hawker battery is Nonspillable. "Nonspillable" is prominent on the top of the battery.

Sooooo....do I go cautious and put this little beauty in a plastic box, or am I gonna pass Tech without the box?

Thanks to all.

Oh yeah...Happy Holidays to all us motorsports deprived gearheads !! (Everyone else as well!)

Rog
Dec. 25, 2008 12:37 p.m. amaff HalfDork

is it inside the passenger compartment or still in the stock location? If it's in the stock location you're fine. If it's not, you're probably still fine, but it wouldn't be a bad idea in any case.