Quote:
Originally Posted by JP1738
I'll never go to one after everything I've heard about them. I've always used Optima Red Tops and I've literally never heard anyone talk poorly of them. I can use one for 2-3 years before I have to replace it too. What's the benefits to a lithium battery? Lighter? More powerful? I've never had any issues with a gel battery and whatever upsides there are don't seem to out-weigh the risks.
|
Never say never your racing stock now, and yes there are some concrete benefits.......those hard fought for and treasured wally things from winning class don't happen by accident.....
First lets look at the obvious weight delta and weight distribution, as a stocker example in my truck many years ago, low HPish, but good example, by moving 70 pounds of ballast from behind seat to weight box in rear I picked up .05......
Last year in my rocket ship of a gremlin I swapped out my 11 year old optima red top for a 5. something pound llithium antigravity brand(affordable.....its a gremlin........total weight loss was over 38 pounds due to bracket change etc.......I had visions of wheelstands in my head.....note this is a 12 volt lithium not the more popular and even stronger 16 volts...
First impressions on its intial fire up in the spring after its traditional wintering in the goldrush......this thing fired up like instantly......seems like it has much more umphh....
Took it racing of course.......didn't notice anything on my time slips except for the 30 something pound reduction.....put the spare tire back to match the weight, no real improvement, which kind of surprised me....millage will vary.....
charging time is brutally fast compared to the red top........1/2 the time.....got to like that when you are getting hot lapped in a 15 minute turn around.....note I have a big honking beast of a alternator on the gremlin, full size
I made sure to buy the best charger for the battery and also have a spare lesser charger just in case.
Since this is a performance class, 30 plus pounds off the nose for a heads up run is a no-brainer, and could make the difference between making the field at Indy or not......which is what most class racers if their being honest really want to do, qualify and win Indy.....