Thanks!!!

 

Old thread bump.

I am contemplating buying a small battery for TRACK use in order to free up some under-hood real estate, primarily to fit my new windshield washer reservoir. For TRACK use, will I have any issue with the DEKA ETX12 or 14? Besides needing terminals, is there anything else I need to consider?

 

You need to get terminals. Other than, it's just "plug and play". Of course you'll need to get a proper mount for it. I use the ETX20L as a daily driver, so I'd say if it was just for track use, go for the ETX12. I'd go as far as getting ETX9 if you really are only tracking.

 

Interesting, it does seem they are the same batteries
Braille doesn't use the standard cca rating either

Braille Battery USA &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Lighter • Stronger • Faster - What does CCA mean?

Cold Cranking Amps is a rating used to give an approximation of a battery’s ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. The higher the CCA rating, the greater the potential starting power of the battery in colder weather. Braille Battery’s are tested using conductance testing which is an approximation of BCI testing. The BCI rating is the number of amps a new, fully charged battery can deliver at 0° Farenheit for 30 seconds, while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts, for a 12 volt battery using a draw down test. Since this type of testing can shorten the life of a battery, Braille’s batteries are individually tested prior to shipping using the conductance method. This method is much faster and less destructive to batteries.
-NOTE: All cranking performance ratings are based on calculations of data collected from conductance testing. For more information about this method, please click here.

Even if the method is better they are still arriving at a calculated CCA which certainly appears inflated.

 

Take a trikle charger. If it's only for track, you'll be fine.

I've started the ETX20 in weather below 30 degrees, relocated to the rear with 4 gauge wire. I'm sure if it sits in your engine bay, with the short stock wire, it should be fine.

 

Interesting. Well, I am hearing mixed reviews on the small batteries, so I am not sure what direction I am going to take yet.

 

Get a Miata battery. They're AGM batteries, and quite a bit lighter. I don't know the exact weight off hand.
I ran one on my STi and never had any issues, regardless of the outside temp.

 

A buddy of mine is running an Odyssey (not the van) battery in his WRX and is happy, though I am not sure which one he is using.

Here is a list of all their applications:
Odyssey Batteries - AGM product line

 

I've been running a PC680 for close to five years. Works well except if car sits for more than 5 weeks. Stock location.

 

I have heard good things about Odyssey, TiC uses one, but I am not sure I can see spending $150 on a part-time battery...

A Miata battery, eh? Interesting idea. Do you still use it?

 

A Miata battery, eh? Interesting idea. Do you still use it?

Since the STI is no more, the battery is sitting on a shelf in the garage. Haven't yet put it in the RS.
It's an off the shelf pruduct from Shucks-OReiley with a 72mo warranty. I think I paid $90.

Just weighed it, and here are the specs..

21lbs
370 CCA @0*
465 CA @32*

 

Found this place $119 shipped www.SpeedFactoryRacing.net

 

I didn't find anything on that site...

 

Deka ETX20L Power Sports AGM Battery

There's that is you're looking for a 15.5 lb'er. $85 shipped; that's where I bought mine.

Deka ETX14 Power Sports AGM Battery for $73 shipped.

Deka ETX12 Power Sports AGM Battery for $72 shipped.

Deka ETX9 Power Sports AGM Battery for $69 shipped.

 

I have been tring to figure out which way i want to go with this whole thing. I know I want a light weight battery but it seems that the info is sketchy on what is going to work. I live in wisconsin so there is a week or 2 a year where its highs in the 0's. I have done a bunch of reading on and off this site and havent found anything conclusive about how cold you can go with these things.

I dont like the idea of buying a battery just for the track as i am concerned that it wont last sitting in my house 360 days a year. I would also perfer to take advantage of the weight reduction 365 days a year not 5 days a year.

So that had me debating the etx15 vs etx20 leaning toward the etx20l as somethign that MAY possibly work year round. My car doesnt sit more than 2 days between starts so i was hoping that might be adequate for winter.

Then i was thinking, screw it ill jsut get a etx15 and a jump box and just start the car with a jump box all winter if it needs it. I park inside at work so it shouldnt be an issue in a 60 degree garage i assume.

Then i thought maybe i would buy 2 etx 12's run them in parrallel for 360 cca which shoudl be way more than enough for winter. Then jsut pull one for track weekends. That way i don tjsut have a battery sitting around 8 months a year and going to hell. I would still be going from 32 lbs to 19 lbs day to day so a nice decrease with very minimal cca concern.

Anyone in here have any input? I would likely just go etx20 if i knew for a fact it would work year round. But without knowing for sure i am thinking maybe parallel might be the way to go.

 

I have been tring to figure out which way i want to go with this whole thing. I know I want a light weight battery but it seems that the info is sketchy on what is going to work. I live in wisconsin so there is a week or 2 a year where its highs in the 0's. I have done a bunch of reading on and off this site and havent found anything conclusive about how cold you can go with these things.

I dont like the idea of buying a battery just for the track as i am concerned that it wont last sitting in my house 360 days a year. I would also perfer to take advantage of the weight reduction 365 days a year not 5 days a year.

So that had me debating the etx15 vs etx20 leaning toward the etx20l as somethign that MAY possibly work year round. My car doesnt sit more than 2 days between starts so i was hoping that might be adequate for winter.

Then i was thinking, screw it ill jsut get a etx15 and a jump box and just start the car with a jump box all winter if it needs it. I park inside at work so it shouldnt be an issue in a 60 degree garage i assume.

Then i thought maybe i would buy 2 etx 12's run them in parrallel for 360 cca which shoudl be way more than enough for winter. Then jsut pull one for track weekends. That way i don tjsut have a battery sitting around 8 months a year and going to hell. I would still be going from 32 lbs to 19 lbs day to day so a nice decrease with very minimal cca concern.

Anyone in here have any input? I would likely just go etx20 if i knew for a fact it would work year round. But without knowing for sure i am thinking maybe parallel might be the way to go.

Odyssey PC545 battery 12.6lbs (works well down to 40 deg)
Odyssey PC625 battery 13.2lbs (works well down to 10 deg)
I used both ^^^batteries The PC 545 was an easy fit because I cut the terminals (on the wires) and was able to use the hole for the bolt as a terminal. The 545 was a bit weak and left me stranded once or twice. If the car sat over the weekend in my garage it would have to get jumped on Monday morning.
The PC625 was installed (lol wire ties) for this winter. I was able to remove my block heater and not bother with the solar charger. That was a nice bit of freedom. My car started every time I tried. The car sat at work for 12hrs at 4deg and still started.The car can sit ~ 24hrs at 10deg and still start. I was able to park in the garage over the weekend and the car would start with a slower but reasonable crank. If you park in a garage and don't work extremely long days this battery will perform well.
Batteries Plus stores carry these batteries. No Wisconsinites were harmed during this review

 

anyone heard of these batteris??
Batteries

both lighter than the OEM battery, and CCA kicks the **** out of the stock battery

 

I've looking around alittle myself and saw this. It is still out of my price range as I'm sure it is for most.Anyone use or comment on it. It says nothing about cca's but if its adequet for all seasons(MA) it could be a winner.

AMS Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Small Battery Kit

 

looks like an odyssey 680 to me

 

Thanks for the info!! I like the fact that they specifically state you can mount these on their side as well. I think I am headed in the right direction now.

btw found that evo battery Amazon.com: Hawker (Enersys) Genesis (0769-2007 G16EP) 12 Volt/16 Amp Hour Sealed Lead Acid Battery - Bolt Terminal: Electronics

 

Given what I have come across today, I think I am leaning towards the DEKA ETX20.
7x3.5x6 (give or take) and $85. This is smaller, lighter, and usable year round, which solves a bunch of problems all at once.

 

Good choice!

 

Given that I REALLY did not want to spend the money on anything else for the car at the moment, I went out to take a look at the situation. I found that if I shifted the battery a little bit, I was able to get the washer tank to fit. I'll be able to run a strap around it to hold it fairly secure. A good and easy temporary fix until I get a new battery. :tup:

 

As posted earlier, there's a Mitsubishi kit. There's also a Subaru kit. This was the 1 listed for my year and model. AMS Subaru WRX/STI Small battery kit

 

odyssey 680 4 years with my old 06 wrx and now in my 2011 sti for 7 months. i am in chicago area where winter is like -20 sometimes.

 

So my five year old Odyssey PC680 finally would not hold a charge for more then 5 days without starting or driving. Bought a new one.

 

Revisiting the battery issue. One question: Are these AGM batteries small enough to not need a Left+ configuration in order to allow the cables to reach the posts?

 

I am sure that depends on how you mount it. I decided early on I wanted mine mounted flat to get the weight lower. (yeah yeah i know, I am silly) Also so it was less tippy, as those things seem too me like they would be tippy. My odyssey 625 fits fine laying flat with the posts up and in toward the motor. But the positive is VERY close to being too short. If the battery was standing up as long as the positive was toward the motor it was fine. Though I think the flat moutning setup is superior. It was painless as well. Stock tie down, some bolts, acetalene torch, vice and hammer. Jsut made some custom hooks to length and went in with no issue.

As you can see if the plus was on the other side it wouldnt have fit laying down. There is plenty of cable if its standing up to have it on either side though. Plenty of ground cable to get where ever you would reasonably need it. I cut the negative battery lug off and put on a regular terminal and used the stock positive stuff that was there. Though all that is relative to the pc625 as it has 6mm threaded posts not battery terminal "heads" or whatever you want to call them.

 

I will probably want to mount it upright (although your point of laying flat is well-understood and a good one) since I need the real estate in there for a washer fluid bottle.

My biggest concern is the depth of the battery (ETX14) 3.4". Since the posts are + LEFT and - RIGHT when facing the battery, would I NEED to flip it 180* to get the cables to reach or are they long enough? The only other option is to get the opposite post config.

Deka ETX14 Power Sports AGM Battery

 

When i bouught mine it seemed the 14 was out of date relative to the 15 which is lighter and better in all stats and has an L available so relative to your mounting position you can buy whatever puts the + closer? Possibly this wont fitrelative to your washer bottle?

Deka ETX15L Power Sports AGM Battery
Deka ETX15 Power Sports AGM Battery