any problems from using undersized battery in car

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OS

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
my car battery has that indicator which says it needs water (but it's sealed) and it's taking more cranks to start. I think it might be time to replace it.

http://www.brailleauto.com/

There's a 11 lb battery that I'd like to try. It's a relabel that can be had for $90.

The thing is the new battery is rated 360 CCA, stock is 410 CCA, it's down 12%. I don't think it'll be a problem, but if someone else thinks otherwise.
 
jlee

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
360CCA is tiny...though one (also 360CCA, IIRC) did start my Corolla for years w/o any trouble.

I don't know for sure..but if it doesn't get really cold out (and you have a small / easily turned engine), I don't see why it wouldn't work.
 
CPA

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
I had a Corsica several years ago. Went through 3 alternators, ended up the undersized battery was killing them. Not exactly sure, since I'm not a mechanic, but that's what ended up being the cause of the dead alternators.
 
A

Apex

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
6,511
1
71
www.gotapex.com
The Braille is a great battery. They're especially popular with the Lotus Elise crowd.

You probably won't be able to leave your car as long between drives, but as long as your car isn't especially high drain, you should be fine.

You may want to check into Odyssey too.
 
OS

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
Originally posted by: Apex
The Braille is a great battery. They're especially popular with the Lotus Elise crowd.

You probably won't be able to leave your car as long between drives, but as long as your car isn't especially high drain, you should be fine.

You may want to check into Odyssey too.
Click to expand...

The car is a daily driver so that's not really a problem. Also I am in CA so it'll never see cold weather.

The odyssey has bad rated CCA, something like 280, won't even bother with that.

Braille lists a 425 CCA, 15 lb battery that is bigger than my stock rating, but I don't know what the cross reference is. Braille charges too much for basically just relabeling a battery.



 
I

iamaelephant

Diamond Member
Jul 25, 2004
3,816
1
81
If the manual specifies 410CCA then use a 410CCA+ battery. Simple.

As for the guy who thinks a small battery was damaging his alternator - wtf? Bollocks.
 
A

Apex

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
6,511
1
71
www.gotapex.com
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: Apex
The Braille is a great battery. They're especially popular with the Lotus Elise crowd.

You probably won't be able to leave your car as long between drives, but as long as your car isn't especially high drain, you should be fine.

You may want to check into Odyssey too.
Click to expand...

The car is a daily driver so that's not really a problem. Also I am in CA so it'll never see cold weather.

The odyssey has bad rated CCA, something like 280, won't even bother with that.

Braille lists a 425 CCA, 15 lb battery that is bigger than my stock rating, but I don't know what the cross reference is. Braille charges too much for basically just relabeling a battery.
Click to expand...

CCA is actually not what you really care about in California. The normal warm cranking amps, or 5-10 second cranking capacity is much more important.

The really nice thing about the Odyssey is it's a true deep cycle (improvement on the Optima design). However, there are drawbacks as well, such as the alternator voltage requirements, and poor functionality with high drain applications.
 
T

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,034
127
106
Hell there are people that run lawnmower batteries to save weight and space in their cars. You just don't have as much of a buffer.
 
OS

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
Originally posted by: Apex
OS: What model is it relabeled from? It's a Deka of some sort, right?
Click to expand...

yes Deka something. I found out about this on helix13.com which sells both.

I've contacted their CS and he says he is able to cross the bigger 15 lb braille one to a Deka, so I am waiting for him to get me a qoute.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,154
635
126
You're a fvcking ricer to the max for wasting your money on a "lightweight" battery. You have like 2 power "mods" on your car ; neither of them significant. Get a clue man.
 
OS

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
Originally posted by: NutBucket
You're a fvcking ricer to the max for wasting your money on a "lightweight" battery. You have like 2 power "mods" on your car ; neither of them significant. Get a clue man.
Click to expand...

Ass, remind to drive to your work and key your car.

I need a new battery soon anyways and that's $60+. If the little one is $90, what's that to you.

oh btw, my bank account is still worth more than your car.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,154
635
126
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: NutBucket
You're a fvcking ricer to the max for wasting your money on a "lightweight" battery. You have like 2 power "mods" on your car ; neither of them significant. Get a clue man.
Click to expand...

Ass, remind to drive to your work and key your car.

I need a new battery soon anyways and that's $60+. If the little one is $90, what's that to you.

oh btw, my bank account is still worth more than your car.
Click to expand...
OIC, because you have money you can spend it on mods THAT MAKE NO DIFFERENCE.
 
OS

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: NutBucket
You're a fvcking ricer to the max for wasting your money on a "lightweight" battery. You have like 2 power "mods" on your car ; neither of them significant. Get a clue man.
Click to expand...

Ass, remind to drive to your work and key your car.

I need a new battery soon anyways and that's $60+. If the little one is $90, what's that to you.

oh btw, my bank account is still worth more than your car.
Click to expand...
OIC, because you have money you can spend it on mods THAT MAKE NO DIFFERENCE.
Click to expand...

man, if you wanna trash talk, if i lived at home and got free rent, I could afford both my car and yours.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,154
635
126
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: NutBucket
You're a fvcking ricer to the max for wasting your money on a "lightweight" battery. You have like 2 power "mods" on your car ; neither of them significant. Get a clue man.
Click to expand...

Ass, remind to drive to your work and key your car.

I need a new battery soon anyways and that's $60+. If the little one is $90, what's that to you.

oh btw, my bank account is still worth more than your car.
Click to expand...
OIC, because you have money you can spend it on mods THAT MAKE NO DIFFERENCE.
Click to expand...

man, if you wanna trash talk, if i lived at home and got free rent, I could afford both my car and yours.
Click to expand...
Yep....that one really hurts.

All I'm saying is you want a faster car and you're going about it all wrong. I mean really, the weight savings in that battery is the same as taking some stuff out of your trunk; or you going on a diet for a couple weeks (yes, I know you're not fat).
 
A

Apex

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
6,511
1
71
www.gotapex.com
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: Apex
OS: What model is it relabeled from? It's a Deka of some sort, right?
Click to expand...

yes Deka something. I found out about this on helix13.com which sells both.

I've contacted their CS and he says he is able to cross the bigger 15 lb braille one to a Deka, so I am waiting for him to get me a qoute.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was wondering. Deka's site sucks for finding information. :(
 
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