Race Car Battery selection

[Blur80]

Need some help with how to select the right size battery. A 996 would typically require a 70Ah battery with around 360 cca. However, I want to get a new battery for the cup car and would prefer to keep the weight down and use a dry cell. VARLEY has a red top with 38ah and 1150 cca. Depending on how you look at it, either the basic Ah is under spec, or the cold crak amps are way over kill. BTW, the largets one they make is a 51Ah with 1400 cca.

Any thoughts before I call the Varley guys?

[Andy Clements]

Have you looked at an Odyssey?

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/


FYI, I bought mine from this place in Winchester. Fast shipping, good price - just a satisfied customer, no affiliation.

http://www.batterymart.com/c-odyssey-batteries.html

When do you start giving cup car rides? :)

[Jase007]

John:

We've tried lots of different "light weight race batteries" over the years.

After quite a few disappointments we've settled on using these with no failures / DNFs due to battery for a couple of years. :)

http://www.rockracingbattery.com/

[magnetic1]

John:

We've tried lots of different "light weight race batteries" over the years.

After quite a few disappointments we've settled on using these with no failures / DNFs due to battery for a couple of years. :)

http://www.rockracingbattery.com/


Ive been using a Deka ETX9 (which is what a Braille is rebadged to) with great success.

http://www.dcpoweronline.com/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/11/products_id/29?osCsid=ea83fdf46b65b87c81d99eb30943ea51

[Blur80]

When do you start giving cup car rides? :)

Andy - for instructors, all you need to do is let me know at the track that you are ready fo ra ride along. I'll schedule you in immediately. I want ride alongs - every ride along reveals something new. I gave a few at the Glen and at Summit.

[Dr K]

Andy - for instructors, all you need to do is let me know at the track that you are ready fo ra ride along. I'll schedule you in immediately. I want ride alongs - every ride along reveals something new. I gave a few at the Glen and at Summit.Me, too! Man, I wish I was an instructor...or John was...
Peter

[Blur80]

Andy, Jase, Magnetic1,

What size (Ah, cca or other metric) were the batteries you purchased?

[magnetic1]

Andy, Jase, Magnetic1,

What size (Ah, cca or other metric) were the batteries you purchased?

The Braille Batteries are the exact same but show a higher CCA I believe due to testing conditions.

http://www.myatvparts.com/products_pictures/deka.jpg

[Andy Clements]

Andy, Jase, Magnetic1,

What size (Ah, cca or other metric) were the batteries you purchased?

With batteries, you must keep common ratings in perspective. CCA's are typically a rating for 0-deg F for a 30 second crank and must maintain at least 7.2V at the terminals. Batteries don't like cold, so that is why a higher CCA battery is needed in a cold climate.

I use the tiny 680 battery to save weight, but since it isn't a street car it is almost never driven in sub freezing temps. Remember - I only have a lowly 4-cyl which should theoretically (not always) take less juice to get moving then a bigger or higher compression motor. On a cold day (like Nov. DE) after sitting overnight the batt will sometimes fall short so I keep a jump box handy for that first start. The small 680 may not be enough for your car in less than ideal conditions. Don't worry about saving a few pounds if you are going to have to constantly wonder if it will actually start.

Odyssey has a nice breakdown of their crank ratings for more realistic brief bursts for starting. If you plan to hang out in the paddock for hours blasting sub woofers and neon lights under your cup car, then you will want a battery with better long term discharge ratings.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc680series.htm

YMMV