Battery Recommendations

[The Kangaroo Man]

So after some reading and some research, I'm hearing lots of good things regarding these smaller AGM batteries from Braille and Odyssey. But I'm primarily reading these batteries are in race/track setups. I'll have an M20 swapped 1976 2002 with the battery relocated to the trunk. The car will be driven in Wisconsin during the summer. Most likely a few times a week (to work and back and the occasional spirited drive in the countryside), but not everyday. I also hope to do some track days in the future (possibly a few in a year if the car is running reliably). Wisconsin summers aren't SoCal hot, but we see the 80's and 90's routinely and get the typical cold summer week where mornings are in the mid to high 40's. I'm just wondering if a battery like the Odyssey PC680 or Braille B129 has enough juice to start (and run) the M20B25-powered car reliably for a few (possibly more) days in a row. The low-weight batteries are really appealing to me as I'm adding a few pounds with the engine swap. 

 

Or, perhaps, there's a completely different battery that one might suggest that I'm not thinking of or reading into... Either way, I'm open to all suggestions.

Edited June 14, 2020 by The Kangaroo Man

[NYNick]

delete

Edited June 14, 2020 by NYNick

[modernbeat]

I work for a shop that build racecars. We have used both the PC680 and the Braille batteries. Neither of those are appropriate for a street car. Even one that doesn't use much electricity.

 

I like the Odyssey line very much. Their batteries (when sized correctly) tend to last longer in adverse conditions.

Look at the slightly larger versions beyond the 680. Something like a Odyssey PC925.

[Flamingo 5]

Don’t forget to install a C-Tek battery maintainer 

[The Kangaroo Man]

Alright. I'll keep reading and take a look at those recommendations. I appreciate the input. Thanks!

[Vicleonardo1]

Not sure how much size and weight savings you are looking for: 

If you are looking for AGM a good number of folks have liked the Mazda Miata sized Battery. I think it is equivalent to the 26R? 

 

Something like this: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CGFGLA?tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

[TobyB]

Huh.  I race an E30 in Pro3, and the PC625 starts and runs it.  It weighs 14 lbs.

 

It has most of its electrical system intact, including rear and front defrost,

which I use on track.  The alternator can hold 12.6 volts at idle on pregrid

with lights, electric radiator fan and both defrosters on high.     It starts fine. 

 

t

one data point.

 

 

Edited June 14, 2020 by TobyB

[AustrianVespaGuy]

AGM battery installed under the back seat.  Lots of options of different AGM batteries that work, depending on how much size/weight vs. reserve capacity you want.  You can also keep an eye on my recent thread where I've started an experiment to bolster my single PC680 with some ultracapacitors for cranking! (Disclaimer: I don't recommend following in my footsteps just yet until we see how my experiment turns out! :P)

[AustrianVespaGuy]

3 hours ago, modernbeat said:

Neither of those are appropriate for a street car. Even one that doesn't use much electricity.

Meh, I'm gonna say this actually depends on the climate and care/maintenance.  I think one of those CAN run a street car just fine, provided it's in a mild climate/garaged, and the owner is cognizant to not let the voltage ever drop too low.  But true there's not much margin for error with only 16Ah; no sitting in the parking lot with the lights on and the stereo cranked!

[Healey3000]

Check the Deka line of AGM batteries.  I have an ETX30 under the rear seat and have had no issues.