[Cloud9...68]

OK, so there's not much chance this will ever come up on Jeopardy anytime soon, but I washed my car today for the first time in several weeks (haven't had any rain here in a LONG time, and the car stays in the garage during the week), so I had to put the sunroof back on. In the process, I decided to weigh it, and it weighs ......... about 21 lbs. So, between the lighter battery I just installed, and the fact that I keep the sunroof off 95% of the time, I've saved nearly 40 lb, for literally zero cost. Actually, given that the battery was the cheapest one available, you could say I saved all this weight for less than zero dollars (I guess this is the "geek" part of this subforum <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ). Anyway, just thought someone might find this interesing...

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Lonestar968]

That's pretty cool. Free is my favorite price. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> I did wonder how much a sunroof weighed. I think I've read it here in the forum somewhere before but my feeble memory is not what it used to be. Any idea how much a Saratoga top weighs? Now that I've discovered there were both glass as well as plexi roofs made, I'm wondering what the difference is in weight. Maybe someone else will chime in on this one.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

Last I heard, the Satatoga roofs are no longer being made. It would be a nice option, though, as the stock sunroof is very awkward to put on and off (which is why I leave it off most of the time, and pray I never get caught in a surprise reainstorm).

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[PorscheDude]

I have a glass Saratoga I found locally recently. I will weigh it.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rhudeboye]

[quote name='Cloud9...68' post='59725' date='Sep 13 2008, 11:03 PM']Actually, given that the battery was the cheapest one available, you could say I saved all this weight for less than zero dollars[/quote]





Did you steal the battery? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='rhudeboye' post='59743' date='Sep 14 2008, 11:59 AM']Did you steal the battery? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />[/quote]

Not quite. What I mean by my admittedly somewhat twisted reasoning is that since I'm (for this item, anyway) lucky to live in a very warm climate, I don't need all the cold cranking amps of the Porsche-specified battery. My battery recently died, so I replaced it with the smallest, cheapest one I could find ($55) at Autozone. This was about $30 cheaper than the Porsche-spec battery, plus it's nearly 20 lbs lighter. So, in effect, I saved nearly 20 lbs, at a cost of -$30. That's my argument, and I'm sticking to it...



Eventually, I'd like to get a lithium ion battery. There's a company called Voltphreaks that sells one, but it's about $600 <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> . So, my hope is that as plug-in hybrids start coming out in the next few years, the price of lithium ion batteries will come down, and I'll get one then. The Voltphreaks battery only weighs 6 pounds!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Nikoror]

Check out http://www.braillebattery.com/index.php/batteries/b129/

For ~150$ you can have a 9 pound battery

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

Cloud your right about the awkwardness of taking the roof off on and off. I have only done it a couple of times, what a pain. I don't live in a sunny clime so I leave it on!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

Yes, it is a royal pain to take on and off, plus it's borderline dangerous, as I'm always afraid I'm going to slip and drop it on the car. Ideally, it's really a two-person job, adding to the pain factor.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[bombfactory]

My car has dents all over the roof and the rear panel - presumably from some weak-armed PO bonking the car with the sunroof panel during removal and/or installation. The panel is heavy, and definitely awkward to work with. I never touch mine.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

What's a PO?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[bombfactory]

Previous owner. My car has had three that I know of...

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

Da!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

I haven't dropped mine yet, but there is definitely a real risk, as bombfactory can attest.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[ds968]

21 lbs ?! Cool, next time just before I race against another car I'll quickly remove the sunroof and put it in the hatchback space.. Oh, wait.. never mind <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Scott Collins]

I take mine out all the time - I've replaced the gears many times and everything (knock on wood) works properly. I do the job from the driver's side, and just get my left arm under the front to guide it and handle most of the weight and right arm balances the thing. It's pretty much a one shot deal, and I have to get it in the first time or it will become just too heavy to keep holding it at such an awkward angle.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rhudeboye]

I don't find it difficult at all.

From drivers seat:

• raise the roof (4 seconds)
• Unhook the 2 inside latches (3 sec)
• hop out and unhinge driver side lifting arm (10 sec)
• walk around car and unhinge passenger side then slide back and lift off. (30 sec)

The weight only bothers me a little when i first lift to clear the car. But i find it manageable. Perhaps its my height. 6'

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

It isn't really difficult, but as Scott says, it's just awkward - having 6' long arms, or being about 8' tall, would help! Also, this is one job where having two people would make it a snap.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.