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Smaller light weight battery not requiring new tray
Hi has anyone gone with a smaller lightweight battery that doesn't require a new tray like a s2000 or Miata? I was hoping to just drop a battery in and make up the difference in size with tightening the battery tie down more. I saw these and was intrigued, my current battery is cranking over slowly so I'm thinking it's time for a new battery.
Has almost double the CCA of a stock required which is 520CCA, and you can choose which side the + terminal goes on. Seems like a good deal over the $700+ antigravity batteries in the correct Evo 8\9 sizing.
If you're looking to utilize the factory battery tray, battery height is your most important battery measurement. I didn't find size specs in that link, but it does seem they are using stock battery group number casings for the same batteries with Li inside. OE evo group battery is a 35, which measures 8 7/8 H.
That was copied straight from their site. I mean is height really an issue though as can't we just tighten down the battery tie down more, the threads on the bars seem to go down pretty far?
I kept my OEM tray, drilled holes in it to mount the OEM tie down bolts closer to the battery, then trimmed the tops of the bolts because they were too long. Downside = I had to get new bolts when going back to full-size battery.
They're local to me so I'm going to pull my battery out and bring it with me to their shop. If the sizing of their battery looks close I'll probably end up getting it as a normal replacement battery from like Autozone is $209 so might as well spend a bit more and save over 30+ lbs. I'll keep the thread updated, they have multiple sizes s2000, ctr fk8, and a generic size, I'll snap pics when I'm there.
I kept my OEM tray, drilled holes in it to mount the OEM tie down bolts closer to the battery, then trimmed the tops of the bolts because they were too long. Downside = I had to get new bolts when going back to full-size battery.
i had the same but closer to the IC tube, prior to the batt reloc. negative terminal moved to the transmission. I just used those J-hooks from the parts store.That extra tray space was great for tools and fasteners when working on the car now i have to use my valve cover
i had the same but closer to the IC tube, prior to the batt reloc. negative terminal moved to the transmission. I just used those J-hooks from the parts store.That extra tray space was great for tools and fasteners when working on the car now i have to use my valve cover
Ha ha yep. I put all kinds of stuff there. Very useful
So I went to Ballade Sport on Saturday with my stock battery and it turns out the FK8 ctr battery is the exact same size, even had the handle and everything. If anyone is in the market for a lighter lithium ion battery then check out the ones at Ballade sport. I'm not affiliated with them at all I don't get a cut on how many they sell I'm just trying to help out the community. They also offer a smaller s2000 sized battery at 9lbs but I didn't want to have to mod anything with the tray. With the FK8 ctr battery I shed 17lbs just by switching batteries, take a look at the pictures. I'm pretty sure it's an antigravity clone just doesn't have the emergency start feature, the lil led light up top shows either how much the battery is charged or the voltage.
Probably because of the higher price tags and the unknowns on how long they will last at those prices. Antigravity was $750 and this Ballade branded battery was $399 so it was already pushing it on what I wanted to spend. I was in need of a battery and this seemed like at decent option as far as price to performance goes. If it last me more than 2 years I'll be satisfied .
For me it comes down to the thermal issues with most lithium chemistries. Except for some rare types (lithium titanate) lithium batteries cannot be charged below freezing. This will damage them. Since you cannot stop the alternator from charging the cell, this pretty much makes them worthless below freezing temperatures.
Large, complex packs will have thermal management that can heat up the battery when charging to prevent this issue. You could probably even find automotive type packs that also have thermal management, but you would need to like remote into the battery and heat it up before starting your car every day*, and that's just a little too much (IMO).
They don't do well with heat either. I made my own packs ( headway 38120 4S2P ) to play around with, and in my under hood setup the cells would degrade. The ones closer to the motor always degraded the worst/fastest.
* In cold temperatures.
Last edited by Biggiesacks; Aug 24, 2022 at 07:18 AM.
I dont see much of an advantage if its the same size as some parts-store-warrantied-replacement-battery.
I have plenty of 24-52 volts ebike/escooter li-ion batteries, I should be able to make a tiny 12v version
Probably because of the higher price tags and the unknowns on how long they will last at those prices. Antigravity was $750 and this Ballade branded battery was $399 so it was already pushing it on what I wanted to spend. I was in need of a battery and this seemed like at decent option as far as price to performance goes. If it last me more than 2 years I'll be satisfied .
Ballade is 960CCA and 30Ah but you do not need that unless it is a daily. PC680 is 170CCA and 16Ah. I personally hated all 3 of my PC680. I believe there are cheaper options out there. I have only tested my lithium in temperatures between 30-100F with no issues. 300CCA and 4Ah. Not a daily. Sometimes i need to charge it..
Originally Posted by Biggiesacks
For me it comes down to the thermal issues with most lithium chemistries. Except for some rare types (lithium titanate) lithium batteries cannot be charged below freezing. This will damage them. Since you cannot stop the alternator from charging the cell, this pretty much makes them worthless below freezing temperatures.
.
Only tested mine on temps between 30-100F. I have also read bad things about Lithium on really cold climates. I guess it is not for daily evos.
now i have to use my valve cover
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