I got the idea from all the talk about the ultra-lightweight drycell, but I wanted something that could make it through the winter. So I ordered the Miata battery from WestCo. It has 475 cold cranking amps and 31 A.H. and is completely sealed. It cost $84.95 including shipping direct from WestCo:
http://www.westcobattery.com/pages/products.asp?id=11

It's a bit smaller:
http://www.rallystuff.com/images/battery1.jpg

And weighs just 22 lbs:
http://www.rallystuff.com/images/battery3.jpg

But contrary to popular myth, the stock battery doesn't weigh 40+ lbs:
http://www.rallystuff.com/images/battery2.jpg

Oh, well, I saved 12 lbs ahead of the front wheels. Not too bad for 85 bucks and 20 minutes.

Here's the installed pic:
http://www.rallystuff.com/images/battery4.jpg

Move it in the trunk and save 40lbs ahead of the front wheels!!!:D For about 30 bucks more couldn't you get an Optima?

As I pointed out, it would be hard to save 40 lbs when the stock battery only weighs 34. ;) FYI, the Optima battery weighs 38 lbs.

It sooooo cute!:lol:

I was rounding up!!:D Is that a battery out of a Mazda Miata, or is that just what the battery's called?

Click the link, see pics of Miata. It is the battery from a Miata, the car that does everything tiny.

Originally posted by Jon Bogert
Oh, well, I saved 12 lbs ahead of the front wheels. Not too bad for 85 bucks and 20 minutes.


Just wondering, is this battery still running in your car?

I'm going to replace my stock battery soon and I just want to find out the life expectancy of these alternative batteries. Thanks.

Chieh

It made it through this past winter OK. It would definitely crank weaker on a sub 20º morning after a cold night parked outside. I'll probably get a new one in the Fall just to be safe and put this one on a trickle charger as a backup. In California, I wouldn't expect any problems.

I just converted my old 911 from the stock dual heavy batteries to a single WestCo:

http://www.rallystuff.com/images/pcar_battery5sm.jpg

Thanks. That is very helpful. Sounds like you really like your Westco battery.

Chieh

Also check out the Hawker 12 Volt/16 Ah (G16EP). It's the same exact battery as the Dynabat, but at 1/2 the cost. Runs about $70 from Portable Power Systems (http://www.portablepower.com/Productpage.asp?ProductNum=37L105S1&AddOn01=30Z101B1&AddOn02=35S202S1&AddOn03=35S206S1&AddOn04=35S206S1P&AddOn05=) and weights in @ just 13.5 lbs

Originally posted by kastle
Also check out the Hawker 12 Volt/16 Ah (G16EP). It's the same exact battery as the Dynabat, but at 1/2 the cost. Runs about $70 from Portable Power Systems (http://www.portablepower.com/Productpage.asp?ProductNum=37L105S1&AddOn01=30Z101B1&AddOn02=35S202S1&AddOn03=35S206S1&AddOn04=35S206S1P&AddOn05=) and weights in @ just 13.5 lbs

Thanks. I'm also looking into that right now. Do you have long-term experience with it? If so, would you please add your experience to the following thread:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=367820

Chieh

posted

don't forget about the baker precision batteries....

www.bakerprecision.com/battery.htm


That battery is 15lbs, and has more CCA than stock, but less amp hours.....so just don't forget and leave your car on....heheh

Originally posted by ScreaminFast
don't forget about the baker precision batteries....

www.bakerprecision.com/battery.htm


That battery is 15lbs, and has more CCA than stock, but less amp hours.....so just don't forget and leave your car on....heheh

Looks exactly like the Hawker / Dynabat

Just posting an update...

After almost two years, including one mild winter and one very bad winter with the car parked outside every day, the Miata battery is getting tired. It cranks slower now, and really labors to get the car started after sitting for a few days.

Not going to risk it if this winter is a cold one, so I ordered a new battery today.

Now that there's an Electrical forum, maybe a mod will move this thread there...

One thing to note is that the Westco battery, like the OEM Miata battery, but unlike the Optima and Exide Orbital batteries, cannot handle as wide a range of charging voltages and currents as can normal batteries. When not used in a car designed for the Westco/Miata OEM type, they thus may not last nearly as long as the 5+ years expected in Miatas.

Of course, asking them to turn over a high compression 2.5L horizontally opposed engine instead of a 1.6L I-4 doesn't help either. :)

So do Miatas have better voltage regulators than all other cars, or what?

Originally posted by Jon Bogert
...So do Miatas have better voltage regulators than all other cars, or what?
They don't have better ones, but I'm pretty sure they have a lower limit on the maximum voltage, and a less powerful alternator, hence a slower max charge rate. The Westco/Miata batteries are also often damaged if jump-started, unlike the other batteries.