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PC680 Alternative

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Old Mar 26, 2016 | 11:58 AM
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PC680 Alternative

So I've been looking for a PC680 alternative since mine died. The current CCA on them is now 170 as opposed to the 220 I had. As of right now, the 7 sits in the driveway and isn't my daily. So I was hoping to find one that's the same size with higher CCA. The tray in the car is built to the size of the PC680 and I have the M2 Intercooler preventing me from getting a normal sized battery. After a few searches on here and the web, I haven't really decided on one. I've seen people using lithium batteries, but I'm unsure if they can stand the heat inside the engine bay of a 7 along top the high humidity of Virginia. Please point to a post if I somehow missed it in my searches and my apologies if it's already been discussed, but does anyone have any recommendations?
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Old Mar 26, 2016 | 11:42 PM
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I would check out Deka battery ETX 14L. They weigh about 12lbs and mine has last over 12 months so far as long as you keep it on a trickle charger when not driven.
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Old Mar 27, 2016 | 06:55 AM
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Originally Posted by James2u
I would check out Deka battery ETX 14L. They weigh about 12lbs and mine has last over 12 months so far as long as you keep it on a trickle charger when not driven.
Thanks James2u! Looking at the picture, it looks like it doesn't use the same SAE terminals as my PC680. I'm looking at this one on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Deka Power Sports ETX14L Battery: Automotive Amazon.com: Deka Power Sports ETX14L Battery: Automotive

Can the terminals I have on mine be used on this?
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Old Mar 27, 2016 | 07:29 AM
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The Deka is what I believe Braille is actually supplying. When I bought the Braille I got the SAE post kit. I've bought a couple of Dekas since then and each time I had to re-use the post kit from Braille.

Not sure where to get the post kit separately. It's certainly not worth paying for a Braille just for that.
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Old Mar 27, 2016 | 08:10 AM
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Do a search for Odyssey SAE terminals on Amazon. That is what I used with the Deka ETXL 14 battery.
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Old Mar 27, 2016 | 12:24 PM
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I also use a Deka ETX14. I put it on a trickle charger everyday or else it'll die if I dont drive it for a week. I've had it for almost 2 years and still working good. I used sae battery posts like you can find all over EBay.
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Old Mar 27, 2016 | 04:19 PM
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Thanks for all the help everyone! Is 220 CCA the highest in this size battery?
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Old Mar 28, 2016 | 04:50 AM
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Beware the CCA comparisons - Braille for example rates with PCA and they seem to do it differently from anyone else (different temp perhaps?)

They should be about the same given the same type and size of battery.
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Old Mar 28, 2016 | 02:38 PM
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I've been using one of these.
Amazon.com: Shorai Lithium Battery LFX36L3-BS12 Lightweight Powerful: Automotive Amazon.com: Shorai Lithium Battery LFX36L3-BS12 Lightweight Powerful: Automotive

Powerful enough to start the car anytime and super light. Price is the only downside. You also need to get their charger for it.
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Old Mar 28, 2016 | 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by dgeesaman
Beware the CCA comparisons - Braille for example rates with PCA and they seem to do it differently from anyone else (different temp perhaps?)

They should be about the same given the same type and size of battery.
I hadn't heard of that, that's interesting. So would the 170 be okay for the FD?

Originally Posted by Smokey The Talon
I've been using one of these. Amazon.com: Shorai Lithium Battery LFX36L3-BS12 Lightweight Powerful: Automotive

Powerful enough to start the car anytime and super light. Price is the only downside. You also need to get their charger for it.
I've considered lithium batteries, but can the handle the heat of the FD's engine bay? One of my pigtails already burnt out in it.

Last edited by FloopyDisk; Mar 28, 2016 at 07:07 PM.
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Old Mar 28, 2016 | 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by FloopyDisk
I hadn't heard of that, that's interesting. So would the 170 be okay for the FD?
I don't know the minimum cranking amps to run an FD. Naturally that's subjective because a fully charged battery and kind ambient temperatures are never a given.

I have been running a Deka EXT30L which is 400CCA. Until the electrical gremlins in my car eat it, this is plenty of battery to start the car even in freezing temps.
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Old Mar 28, 2016 | 11:51 PM
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If you get it out of the engine bay and use a trickle charger, they all last better.
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Old Mar 29, 2016 | 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by FloopyDisk
I've considered lithium batteries, but can the handle the heat of the FD's engine bay? One of my pigtails already burnt out in it.
I honestly can't speak to the longevity in a FD because I haven't had mine that long. It's in the engine bay though and I wrapped it in DEI gold foil to help reflect heat away from the core.
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Old Mar 29, 2016 | 04:00 PM
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It charges ok off the alternator though right? After putting one in my bike im never going back to lead acid. It wasn't that expensive. I already have a C-tek charger. Any decent (smart) charger should have a setting for lithium batteries. Chargers are cheap these days.
When my PC680 lets go - if it ever does - i will be going litium.
check out the one on the bottom left side of Floopy's Amazon ad. $99 and 300cca Edit, sctratch that. Too small. I think that is the same size, different brand in my bike. Its basically an empty plastic box with a tiny battery inside.

Last edited by WANKfactor; Mar 29, 2016 at 04:16 PM.
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Old Mar 29, 2016 | 05:25 PM
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FloopyDisk

Thanks for all the help everyone! Is 220 CCA the highest in this size battery?


Not even close as others have pointed out above me.

I use a Shoria LiFePo battery in my FD in stock location (except lying down flat).

Haven't had problems.
I did leave my radiator fan on once (ac with interior fan on 1 with engine off to keep radiator fan on) to cool my car down after racing and let it run the battery down while I was distracted. Started my car with jumper box and still no problems with batter fully quick charging off the alternator (cringe).

Just under 5lbs and 550 Cold Cranking Amps.

I do usually pop my hood when I park the car to let the engine bay heat out, IDK how well it would survive in a daily driven situation in a hot climate where you have to park with the hood securely shut.
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Old Mar 30, 2016 | 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by BLUE TII

FloopyDisk

Thanks for all the help everyone! Is 220 CCA the highest in this size battery?


Not even close as others have pointed out above me.

I use a Shoria LiFePo battery in my FD in stock location (except lying down flat).

Haven't had problems.
I did leave my radiator fan on once (ac with interior fan on 1 with engine off to keep radiator fan on) to cool my car down after racing and let it run the battery down while I was distracted. Started my car with jumper box and still no problems with batter fully quick charging off the alternator (cringe).

Just under 5lbs and 550 Cold Cranking Amps.

I do usually pop my hood when I park the car to let the engine bay heat out, IDK how well it would survive in a daily driven situation in a hot climate where you have to park with the hood securely shut.
What model of that do you have? If it can stand a race I think it'll be okay for weekend warrior stuff here.
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Old Mar 30, 2016 | 03:10 PM
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Well, my "races" are just 4-5min sprints around a kart track at longest.

I just grabbed the biggest Shorai with the terminals on the correct sides.
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Old Apr 1, 2016 | 12:42 AM
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https://www.braillebattery.com/index...atteries/b3121

Here's a startup video of my 20b with ungraded rx8 starter.
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