my Optima 'mini' yellow top battery died over the winter, and is unfortunately discontinued. The worst part is that its in my passenger bin with a custom carbon fiber sheet over it with brackets to hold it in and wires cut specifically for the size. Well long story short, i need to replace it and i am considering either the Miata 5"x8"x8" ($105) battery or a Braille 5.8"x3.4"x5.8" 11.5lb battery ($190.) The Braille battery has 360 cold cranking amps and 904 pulse cranking amps.

does anyone have any experience with either the Miata battery or any Braille battery with a FD?


here's some info: Braille Auto
i figured it's pretty light, so it cant be that bad of an option; i would just appreciate some feedback from someone other then the salesman.

the old battery:

 

Very nice!!!

 

The Miata battery is probably the cheapest option and works well for me. At 475 CCA and 25 lbs it's lighter than stock but has a big enough capacity to be usable when it get cold. You should be able to find the Westco Miata battery for less than $105 too. Here's a good writeup of a battery relocation with the Miata battery...

http://www.stanford.edu/~sunid/battery/

 

kinetic hc600
google it its not the lightest but it sure has the most power..

 

It only weighs in at 14 lbs. Not bad really.

 

A wet cell battery will need a sealed enclosure with a vent tube to the outside if you plan to use it inside the vehicle. just something to consider.........

 

The Braille battery you are looking at is very similar to the Odyssey PC-545MJ, and it has a metal jacket the braille doesn't have. The Odyssey can be had for under $150 delivered, I think. I used one in my race car until it was outlawed (too small).

Personally, I use the WestCo Marine Miata battery in all of my RX-7's. I avoid Optimas like the plague since they are expensive and can't withstand an accidental deep discharge (had two before I learned). The WestCo can. The WestCo is $100 delivered direct, and may be cheaper locally or elsewhere.

I highly recommend using an intelligent battery maintainer on any battery that sits for more than a month at a time. Wal-Mart usually has this one for about $20.

- Bill

 

thanks everyone for the input. i went with matt hey's and wankelbolt's recomendation and ordered the WestCo Miata battery. the battery's 25lbs, but is the closest option to fit the set up i have built for my current (dead) optima battery. one thing i know for sure is that i am definitely using a battery charger from now on. this is money i feel i shouldn't have to be spending right now, since this could've been avoided in the first place. you live and you learn; the RX-7 just makes sure your wallet learns in the process as well.

thanks again guys.

 

thats funny, i was just on the braille auto website - i didn't even realized theyre from my hometown in FL