Lightweight batteries, what are people using and why? Advice appreciated...

**EG9** · 13-03-2015 08:20 AM

Thinking to save some weight through swapping my heavy standard battery to a lightweight race style one, looking for suggestions and advice.

Using the car for circuit and hillclimbs and driving to and from events (up to 200km away). Not a dedicated track car but, also, not a daily driver.

Anyway, I was looking at SSB lithium, mainly because they state "SSB PowerSport Lithium Batteries are also one of the only Lithium Ion Batteries that can be charged using normal 12V car battery chargers / alternators." which sounds useful.
http://www.superstart.com.au/tabid/1...rtLithium.aspx

Interested to know what others are running and why... thanks!

**bennjamin** · 13-03-2015 01:25 PM

look at DEKA or similar
get something around 6-7kg , they have sufficient CCA's for a daily but remember any of these batteries NEED a trickle charger or constant use to work. I suggest a small OBD port solar cell or similar for constantly maintaining while you park at work etc. Or a kill switch to physically break the circuit , giving longer life.

**Root Beer** · 13-03-2015 02:40 PM

Those ssb ones weigh 1.7kg! Last ages at a time without starting etc. They also havemore cca's then deka

I am about to buy one soon.

**rc_** · 13-03-2015 05:44 PM

I read (can't remember if Ssb or another suppliers website) that they don't recommend them to replace larger conventional lead acid batteries even if the cca rating exceeded your engines requirements.

They only recommend them as the direct replacement application they were made for.
All the listings were for scooters, motorbikes and other powersport equipment - no passenger car applications. Seems to go against what they say on SSB site as being used in race car applications. No reasoning was given as to why they do not recommend them in passenger car use.

**bennjamin** · 14-03-2015 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Root Beer

Those ssb ones weigh 1.7kg! Last ages at a time without starting etc. They also havemore cca's then deka

I am about to buy one soon.

Definitely would not use on a track car or even a daily car....impossible to use any accessories with the engine off , and will drain quick smart when static regardless !

**rc_** · 14-03-2015 08:15 PM

My standard battery just went flat from non use and won't take a full charge anymore. I'm looking into these at the moment.

Will probably get the fullriver, the no name one claims to be 400cca but I don't think it will live up to it for the price. No other manufacturer makes a 400cca in that size and weight AGM battery from what I can see. Doesn't seem legit.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251839295844

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321234656223

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121531262520

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131451899437

**bennjamin** · 14-03-2015 10:23 PM

I've had DEKA and full river in daily cars , with no issues.

**rc_** · 21-03-2015 10:12 AM

Ended up getting the full river, seems pretty good cranks fine.
Will just need a maintenance charge when sitting for months without use.

**Super-DA9** · 26-03-2015 08:28 AM

For anyone reading this thread in future I'm using an Oddysey PC680 in my DC2.

It weighs 6.6kg (standard battery is about 11.5kg) and it cranks fine and lasts without issues. I sometimes leave it for weeks without driving and do not use a killswitch or trickle charger. No issues so far.

From memory it cost around $260. Hope this info helps anyone looking here in future.

**EG5** · 26-03-2015 10:24 AM

http://www.jdmyard.com/index.php?rou...&product_id=56

1.7 kg battery!!!
450cca

We are using it on our Time Attack EG.
Alot better than PC680.

**Super-DA9** · 26-03-2015 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by EG5

http://www.jdmyard.com/index.php?rou...&product_id=56

1.7 kg battery!!!
450cca

We are using it on our Time Attack EG.
Alot better than PC680.

I remember seeing that one, how is it for longetivity with street use?

**bennjamin** · 26-03-2015 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Super-DA9

I remember seeing that one, how is it for longetivity with street use?

I would suggest close to useless for a "daily" car. Any draw on the battery would likely kill it in the short term (alarm , gps etc) UNLESS you have a counter-active window or dash solar charger with equal to or greater charge! Just a thought.

But perhaps all this is far too much effort in a mod that essentially makes no difference at all in a daily car!