[Ryan]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2353060



Guys are removing the heavy original battery and swapping in a smaller gel battery. These things only weight 13 lbs. The downside is for cold weather folks as it only has 200 CCA. Battery is a Deka ETX14 and is an ATV usage originally so they take a beating well.



Good way to lose 25 lbs up front and is only $60.00

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[mike]

Here is another source for lightweight batteries although at a substantially higher price. However, there is a model designed for use in cold weather climates. The guy (Blake Fuller) who sells these is a regular at our Chin Motorsports events and seems like a real nice guy. Check here:



http://www.brailleauto.com/



Disclaimer: Not an endorsement and I have no affiliation.



mike

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[Ryan]

It is my understanding that the Braille battery is a re-badged Deka (same size,weight,specs) at a higher cost. They sell the Deca as well. I have not seen them, but one of the VW guys on Vortex tested them side by side.

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[josephsc]

How much battery you need is very subjective -- but there are various options.



This is for a 944 running a 968 motor, but I'm currently running Odyssey 680 (claimed CCA 280, 16lbs) in sunny California in dual track/street applications with zero problems for the last six months. I'm currently using a ghetto-mount (based on plumbing pipe holders), but Rennline makes a very professional looking battery mount. For the same mount, Odyssey 925 (claimed CCA 470, 26lbs) seems like a good option for those in colder climates.



OTOH, back when I was in Boston, I used to run Interstate MTP-91 (claimed CCA 700, 39lbs) and even that wasn't enough to get the car started when the temperature fell below 20degrees C.

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[Bob Kovacs]

[quote name='Ryan' date='Jun 30 2006, 11:57 AM']OTOH, back when I was in Boston, I used to run Interstate MTP-91 (claimed CCA 700, 39lbs) and even that wasn't enough to get the car started when the temperature fell below 20degrees C.

[right][post="23522"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

You must mean 20 degrees F, since a battery made with spit and pocket change ought to start a car at 20 degrees C. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Great battery info, otherwise.



--Bob

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[josephsc]

Oops -- F

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[flash]

lol - hey joeseph - did you work on the mars probe too?

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[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='josephsc' date='Jun 30 2006, 11:04 AM']How much battery you need is very subjective -- but there are various options.



This is for a 944 running a 968 motor, but I'm currently running Odyssey 680 (claimed CCA 280, 16lbs) in sunny California in dual track/street applications with zero problems for the last six months.    I'm currently using a ghetto-mount (based on plumbing pipe holders), but Rennline makes a very professional looking battery mount.



[right][post="23524"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Very informative thread. I also live in a very warm climate (Austin, TX, where I think I may have worn a jacket once...), and was speculating that an Odyssey 680 would work. Thanks, Josephc, for confirming this. I'll be getting one when my current one gives up its ghost, if not sooner. Thanks for the info on the mounting bracket as well. This appears to be one of the very few inexpensive ways to take some weight out of these cars. At the track (DEs only no racing planned with this car), I could remove the spare tire, pump, and tools to balance the weight loss from the battery, for a cool 50-60 lb reduction for minimal expense.

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