Lightweight battery for autocrossing? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 07-04-2007, 07:19 PM

I read about them in my scca mag. Anybody know where I can buy one?

Tom W

Chas H · #2 07-04-2007, 07:24 PM

A light weight battery is just a smaller battery.
The AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery is probably the best choice, Optima and Westco make them.
I've got a Westco in my Miata that's exactly the same size as the battery in my 42" 17hp lawn tractor.

lino · #3 07-04-2007, 07:32 PM

I have an Optima Red Top. I've never heard of a lightweight battery before.

#4 07-04-2007, 07:40 PM

To save what? 10lbs? Not really worth it.

t walgamuth · #5 07-04-2007, 08:01 PM

I see a deka battery that weighs like eleven pounds. it is supposed to save 25, which is a lot. It is a dry cell battery.

Tom W

t walgamuth · #6 07-04-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas H

A light weight battery is just a smaller battery.
The AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery is probably the best choice, Optima and Westco make them.
I've got a Westco in my Miata that's exactly the same size as the battery in my 42" 17hp lawn tractor.

Do you know how much it weighs? Is it a dry cell?

Tom W

Chas H · #7 07-04-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Do you know how much it weighs? Is it a dry cell?

Tom W

Weight listed by Westco is 25lbs. It is not a dry battery, it's an AGM; which is different from the usual flooded battery. A glass fiber mat holds the acid electrolyte against the plates.
I'm not familiar with the Deka dry battery. Can it be recharged? Will an 11lb battery start the car or will you need a jumper battery to do that?

iwrock · #8 07-04-2007, 08:13 PM

Is the battery under the hood on your car? Wouldn't it also help to move the bettery to the trunk to better out the weight distribution?

The Swede · #9 07-04-2007, 08:33 PM

Rock Racing makes some batteries for your application. Good rep.

http://www.rockracingbattery.com/

t walgamuth · #10 07-04-2007, 08:37 PM

I have been reading some more. I found some info regarding miata batteries. And some miata guys say a garden tractor battery has the same cca etc as the high dollar miata battery but weighs only 18 lb. Wet cell.

The ultra light dry cell batteries weigh only about 11#, but they cost about $160 with shipping.

One of those fellows says that moving the battery to the trunk will cost as much in weight for the long battery cables as is saved in weight dist.

Currently I am running with a spare to create balance. I suppose that must weigh forty # at least. So moving the battery to the rear will probably allow me to leave the spare home and stay balanced.

Does anybody know the weight of a standard mb gasser battery?

Tom W

t walgamuth · #11 07-04-2007, 11:07 PM

Further reading suggests batteries might weigh from 40 to 60# for a gasser. I am pretty sure a diesel battery would be more.

Tom W

Chas H · #12 07-04-2007, 11:12 PM

If you're going to be auto Xing in warmer weather, you won't need a big battery.
I've got a battery from my old '87 300TD in the barn I can measure and weigh tomorrow. It's not very big and started the TD in winter with no problem.

t walgamuth · #13 07-04-2007, 11:21 PM

Thanks, Chas.

My car is at the alignment shop or I would weigh it. I had a battery core sitting around for two years and about a month ago put it out on the curb and the trash fairies took it, or else I would have weighed that one.

Tom W

Whiskeydan · #14 07-04-2007, 11:42 PM

How about a battery from one of these? I belive they're dry or gel cells.

http://www.all-cordless.com/12vjumstarba.html

It wouldn't take much to run once its started.

t walgamuth · #15 07-05-2007, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskeydan

How about a battery from one of these? I belive they're dry or gel cells.

http://www.all-cordless.com/12vjumstarba.html

It wouldn't take much to run once its started.

seems possible.

anybody know?

Tom W