Lightweight batteries

Maxie fury 64 · 04-11-2019, 10:24 AM

Wanting others opinions and experiences. Bought a Braille lightweight battery beginning of last season. The 17lb model.
Worked fine for most of the season but by the end of the year it left me stranded at fuel check a couple times. Just doesn’t have the same power it did at first. Are the odyssey batteries any better and last longer or any other brands?
It’s a stocker, six pack car. Any insight would be appreciated,

RJ Sledge · 04-11-2019, 10:42 AM

Check alt output, install volt meter, should read at least 13 volt, larger crank pulley and make sure belt doesn't slip, keep the battery charged up between rounds. Small East Coast Elec mini was a good choice for me.

I've run the 9lb and the 21lb, always a problem with the 9lb at scales, switched to 21lb and really never had a problem.

watch your battery usage before and after run while waiting at scales. run the pump/fan for short periods intervals (2 minutes) and then let it sit for a while, do it again. Leaving it on for more than 5 minutes just puts drain on battery voltage.

Good Luck
RJ

e vassar · 04-11-2019, 10:54 AM

What RJ said about the east coast alt it's a good one. I did try a braille batt a few years ago.after almost a whole season of bracket racing,my opinion would be the battery and charger are not durable enough to hold up to life in a race car,especially an F. I. car. Your not going to be excited about how light it is when you're car wont start in the semis.

Tom Goldman · 04-11-2019, 11:33 AM

Like RJ said, the East Coast Ultra Mini is my first choice for all the Stockers I build.
You might want to check out Anti Gravity Batteries . Their L Ion batteries are very dependable .
One other thing I would check is the master disconnect if you have one . ... I've seen several in the last few years that developed high resistance after a few minuets of use resulting in a voltage drop. Many of the older and a lot of the newer switches are only rated at 25 - 30 amps continuous .

Rsmith38 · 04-12-2019, 07:57 AM

The lighter batteries (the powersports and Breiles are made by East Penn) work but will leave you stranded at the scales or other spot sometime. I finally went with a 450 amp 30 lb battery - It starts every time. I don't have a weight problem and the 10 lbs difference has no effect on ET.

Larry Hill · 04-12-2019, 08:12 AM

I use two 11# Braille use 2-3 years then replace. My alternator works. Always check connections for being tight.

Altronics · 05-27-2019, 02:32 PM

4 Year full warranty!

cad · 06-05-2019, 01:39 PM

The PC925 Odyssey weighs about 24lbs and has 900 cranking amps for about 7 seconds. I hot lapped my 68 for several seasons, ET Finals, etc and never charged between rounds, unless I was running the fan and water pump between rounds. I maintained it with my Harley Davidson trickle charger during the week. It is supposed to be mil-spec, and served us well for a long time.

Troy Henderson · 06-05-2019, 04:49 PM

I just replaced worn yellow top Optima with a Big Crank ETX30L AGM battery. Its the same case as a B3121 AGM and less than half the price. It also compares to the Odyssey PC 925. It was $113 shipped and its supposed to be made in the USA.

https://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Cr...L-Battery.html

I re-ran new cables with my East Coast mini alternator and its been perfect at the first two events I've attended.

04-11-2019, 10:24 AM	#1
Maxie fury 64 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 32 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Lightweight batteries Wanting others opinions and experiences. Bought a Braille lightweight battery beginning of last season. The 17lb model. Worked fine for most of the season but by the end of the year it left me stranded at fuel check a couple times. Just doesn’t have the same power it did at first. Are the odyssey batteries any better and last longer or any other brands? It’s a stocker, six pack car. Any insight would be appreciated,

04-11-2019, 10:42 AM	#2
RJ Sledge Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 783 Likes: 496 Liked 288 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Lightweight batteries Check alt output, install volt meter, should read at least 13 volt, larger crank pulley and make sure belt doesn't slip, keep the battery charged up between rounds. Small East Coast Elec mini was a good choice for me. I've run the 9lb and the 21lb, always a problem with the 9lb at scales, switched to 21lb and really never had a problem. watch your battery usage before and after run while waiting at scales. run the pump/fan for short periods intervals (2 minutes) and then let it sit for a while, do it again. Leaving it on for more than 5 minutes just puts drain on battery voltage. Good Luck RJ

04-11-2019, 10:54 AM	#3
e vassar Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 378 Likes: 67 Liked 267 Times in 106 Posts	Re: Lightweight batteries What RJ said about the east coast alt it's a good one. I did try a braille batt a few years ago.after almost a whole season of bracket racing,my opinion would be the battery and charger are not durable enough to hold up to life in a race car,especially an F. I. car. Your not going to be excited about how light it is when you're car wont start in the semis.

04-11-2019, 11:33 AM	#4
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,473 Likes: 881 Liked 858 Times in 234 Posts	Re: Lightweight batteries Like RJ said, the East Coast Ultra Mini is my first choice for all the Stockers I build. You might want to check out Anti Gravity Batteries . Their L Ion batteries are very dependable . One other thing I would check is the master disconnect if you have one . ... I've seen several in the last few years that developed high resistance after a few minuets of use resulting in a voltage drop. Many of the older and a lot of the newer switches are only rated at 25 - 30 amps continuous . __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

04-12-2019, 07:57 AM	#5
Rsmith38 Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 186 Likes: 0 Liked 28 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Lightweight batteries The lighter batteries (the powersports and Breiles are made by East Penn) work but will leave you stranded at the scales or other spot sometime. I finally went with a 450 amp 30 lb battery - It starts every time. I don't have a weight problem and the 10 lbs difference has no effect on ET.

04-12-2019, 08:12 AM	#6
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,614 Likes: 1,901 Liked 10,655 Times in 2,211 Posts	Re: Lightweight batteries I use two 11# Braille use 2-3 years then replace. My alternator works. Always check connections for being tight. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

05-27-2019, 02:32 PM	#7
Altronics Sponsor Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 92 Likes: 0 Liked 63 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Lightweight batteries 4 Year full warranty! __________________ Fred Bartoli 847-923-0002

06-05-2019, 01:39 PM	#8
cad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 696 Likes: 198 Liked 91 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Lightweight batteries The PC925 Odyssey weighs about 24lbs and has 900 cranking amps for about 7 seconds. I hot lapped my 68 for several seasons, ET Finals, etc and never charged between rounds, unless I was running the fan and water pump between rounds. I maintained it with my Harley Davidson trickle charger during the week. It is supposed to be mil-spec, and served us well for a long time.

06-05-2019, 04:49 PM	#9
Troy Henderson Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kansas City Posts: 404 Likes: 126 Liked 120 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Lightweight batteries I just replaced worn yellow top Optima with a Big Crank ETX30L AGM battery. Its the same case as a B3121 AGM and less than half the price. It also compares to the Odyssey PC 925. It was $113 shipped and its supposed to be made in the USA. https://www.batterymart.com/p-Big-Cr...L-Battery.html I re-ran new cables with my East Coast mini alternator and its been perfect at the first two events I've attended. __________________ Troy Henderson Henderson Race Shop LLC 816-520-5389 www.hendersonraceshop.com