batteries

[ericrapp]

I have not found much about anyone upgrading batteries.
I am considering getting a lightweight (braille ) battery.
I was going to move mine to trunk but the brail are so light that i can leave it up front.
Asking for anyone with experience with any of these. I will have to remove stock batt and add a tray a new or fabbed one.

 

[pw~mp5]

I installed the Braille B2015 with the Braille aluminum mount kit in the stock battery location on my P5. I have the battery laying on it side with the battery posts mounted on the side. It fits perfectly in stock battery tray. I used the self drilling/tapping screws supplied with the aluminum mount kit to screw the mount kit to the OE plastic battery tray. The B2317 is the same length and with so it should also fit. I have only had it a couple of weeks, but so far no issues.

 

[ericrapp]

Is that a direct replacement with comparable values? I will look into the b2015, I have the advantage of not driving during winter. My stock panasonic battery comes into the basement for a trickle to stay afloat. Braille offers a lot of options so i am glad you gave me a part # to start with. thanks

 

[pw~mp5]

Both the B2015 and B2317 are a little less battery than a typical wet cell battery replacement.

The cheapest replacement battery for a Mazdaspeed3 at Autozone has 600CCA with 110 minutes of reserve. The B2015 has 426CCA with 35 minutes of reserve. The Braille B2317 has 475CCA and 45 minutes of reserve. So you would not want to be sitting around playing the stereo with the engine off.

 

[ericrapp]

I am seriously interested in losing weight in front especially. The car is not tuned to run very well under 50 degrees and i do not drive it. i do not often use the stereo and rarely drive this car at night. its mostly to go fast in. To point.. worse case scenario is cranking a very hot car. Because todays electrics have a constant draw for ecu/locks etc. i just want to cover the essentials of amperage. i will keep my stocker because its quite cool. mucho Japanese on the battery no englise.
Have you a good vendor for these bits? I have seen the racing models that weigh in at 2lbs and 2k. I am hoping for 15lbs for less then 200. any insight ?
again thanks. This is something that will probably be done this season, all depending of course.

 

[pw~mp5]

While the car is running everything runs off of the alternator (think jump starting a completely dead battery), so as long as the battery is enough to crank the car and you are not planning on running electrical items for prolonged periods with the engine off you should be OK. The alternator is supposed to be able to provide ALL of the current needed to run everything on the car PLUS charge the battery all at the same time.

Braille batteries are manufactured by Deka. Deka also manufactures AGM batteries for several other brands. The Deka ETX20L, Big Crank ETX20L, Odessey PC680 and Oreilly's Super Start ETX20L are all the same case as the Braille B2015, all weigh around 15lbs, all are less expensive(< $100) and all have less capacity (270CCA) than the Braille version. I paid $159.60 shipped for the Braille B2015. I bought mine at Race Mart http://www.race-mart.com/BrailleBattery-BRA-B2015.html

 

[ericrapp]

Thank you your extra effort and very helpful knowledge. This kind of good work is the main reason i joined the forum.
You have gone above and beyond.
I have one last question. did you change your connections or your pos/ neg cables?
I feel i am ready and will be prepared when i make the move. I do have some suspension bits to install and have set up this summer first though.

 

[pw~mp5]

I am using the optional brass posts that came with the battery and the stock battery connectors.

 

[ericrapp]

I started my research today. I think it will be while before i can make my decision. I looked at the Deka website and then poked around. And will continue to do so.
i found one vendor that looked comparable in price and facts to the braille but its not infront of me right now. "Toikimura racing or something". I am getting dialed in with your help. i see that i am going to be spending a similar amount as you have and that is fine by me. The next important step is to sort out the best mounting method, for the battery.
I have seen some options so that good. When it warms enough here i will go to the garage and have a good look under the hood.
I also think the brass posts would be good, but not sure what way the battery will sit since they are able to lay on side etc.
Again thanks, i am sure i will have some more questions if you do not mind. I mentioned battery is a little down on my list. Suspension is first and will absorb a fair bit of money and effort. So mid summer fall? Unless you hear of some deal i should move on!
Eric