Thinking of replacing the circa 1990 battery that's starting to give up the farm in my '79 SA. Running my battery in the stock position with OEM battery tray. Would prefer something that looks more "original" but with modern features. Please share your thoughts on what you're using and have had success with. Anyone running new brands like Braille? If so, which model are you using? I used to run the Optima Red Top in my FD, but many who I've spoken with have had issues with those. Let me know the latest!

Thx

 

I go to Walmart every 5 years and then the size and type speced for our cars. Looks pretty much
stock.

This a poor shot of my battery if it helps:

 

I've been running an Optima Yellow-top, Tim. It's one of the smaller sized batteries that COSTCO used to sell, and the guy there claimed that it wouldn't start any type of car whatsoever, but it's worked great on my 84-SE for about 5-6 years now.

It's about 2/3 the size of a standard Optima, and matches the car, as you know. Aside from that I try to stick to lighter weight batteries to avoid making that left front corner any heavier.

 

I've heard of folks using miata batteries which I think are lithium (not sure) but they are very small
and I think have 500 or so crank amps in them. I thought about using one of those but I'm on the
fence about it.

 

several options.

Mazda sells a Mazda branded interstate, its black with a Mazda logo on it, around $150 i think at this point.

you can certainly buy any other brand of lead acid battery, in the right size for less

the 00-2005 miata came with a gel cell from the factory, and these are great, as long as you don't kill it, it'll easily last a decade. unfortunately the replacements are just a lead acid.

there are some other options, although they tend to be $$$ and or need some kind of controller

 

Hey Tim-
I've used the Optima batteries since day 1. Here is my Yellow-Top, I am now running a Red-Top (for obvious reasons )
Like the clean look. Completely sealed so no gassing or spill drama or refill hassles. Take a lot of abuse, not that WE would do that! Not cheap at around $200 but my Yellow Top lasted 10 yrs! These are bit shorter than stock, which is why you see the custom alloy "spacer" I ran over the top of my Yellow Top. I just slide a flat board under the current Red Top to bring it up to visual specification. Of course, if you want a more "OE" look then some of the black batteries will do the trick.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska