Braille Racing Battery (17lb)

[elfhearse]

I decided to try out one of the Braille Lightweight "Racing" batteries that Tirerack is selling. The 6 thru 11 lb. were too weak for daily use so I went with the HEAVY 17 lb battery with 425CCA (Dynamat doesn't list CCA so I stayed away since the ti is my DD)
Tirerack only carries the LH positive mount. (RH is also available from Braille) This meant I had to install the battery in backwards, but it's not too big of a deal due to it's small size. Drill holes in the battery box floor to install the universal "J" bolts.

Changed the weight from~40 lbs. down to 17 lbs. Slight weight savings which might have been felt pulling hard up a hill, but obviously no marked improvement in performance in saving 23 lbs....but it helps
(Maybe I'll remove my spare wheel/tire next)

[tiFreak]

lol, it's so tiny compared to the OEM battery

[thesk8nmidget]

its like a motorcycle battery.

but i would have removed the spare and tools long before i bought a lighter battery

[DailyD]

I plan on doing the same thing myself. I just need to decide what Braille battery is right for me.

[Marv17]

how much did the battery run you?

edit: i was looking at the site and saw that there were smaller ones. is there anything bad or wrong with the smaller ones for daily use??

[thesk8nmidget]

if you have a stereo and ac and other things that use power it will not be strong enough to push everything correctly

[DailyD]

Originally Posted by thesk8nmidget

if you have a stereo and ac and other things that use power it will not be strong enough to push everything correctly

I'm not sure I agree with this as the battery is only used for power when the car is off. While the car is running the power comes from the alternator. If you run a heavy duty audio system and/or like to listen to it for long periods while the engine is off, You might want to think about keeping the stock battery. Braille does list a lot of info about the batteries they sell on the their website. http://www.brailleauto.com/

There are few on the forum that have switched to lightweight batteries with what appear to be good results.

[elfhearse]

The Tirerack battery page explains the different size (weight) options pretty well using info. from Braille site.
I went with the 17lb. because it can handle the daily driver needs but it was more expensive....around $180 total with the universal mount and shipping.

The 6 & 9 lb. batteries are for the show cars, 11,15,17 get into the DD range.

When I Auto-X I will remove my spare tire and other crap, but I drive 80 miles a day roundtrip and don't want to take the chance getting a flat tire out in the boonies.

[Marv17]

so, do you think the 15lb battery will be strong enough to power my radio, sub, amp, and gps for my ti? its my DD.

[DailyD]

Originally Posted by Marv17

so, do you think the 15lb battery will be strong enough to power my radio, sub, amp, and gps for my ti? its my DD.

Marv, give Braille a call and ask them what they recommend for your situation. They were very helpful when I did so. From what I learned I would not go with something less than the seventeen pound battery. Even their twenty pounder is about half the weight of the stock part.

[elfhearse]

Another interesting tidbit.... did my valve cover seals and re-installed the Braille battery. I could not reset the radio code and I knew I was putting in the correct code. (battery on but engine off) I waited the "one hour" and started the car before resetting the code without any problem.

SO....I "Assume" the Braille battery did not have sufficient voltage for the radio/computer to accept/acknowledge the rado code....just a theory. It starts the car just fine though.

[DailyD]

That does seem odd. Especially since you were able to start the car an hour later with no problems.

[elfhearse]

Starting the car was never an issue. The radio wouldn't take the code drawing off the smaller battery. I had to start the car for "full power" I guess.

[DailyD]

My point exactly. I didn’t know there was anything more challenging for a battery to do then start an engine. I guess that comes second to input for radio security codes.