545OH

I was interested in knowing how much weight can be saved by using one of the light weight batteries on the market. I forget the brand name I am thinking of but curious if it would be worth it.

EuroCarFan

I've been research this also and have come across two brands, Voltphreaks and Braille. Voltphreaks are very pricy ranging about $1200 for the VPH700 to over $1700 for the VPH1200. Braille batteries are only a couple hundred depending on which model. Of course, there are differences in design that probably explain the differences in costs.

The Voltphreaks range from 5.25 to 8.5 lbs whereas the Braille range from 6lbs to 21lbs. I don't know about the battery for the regular E60 but I think the one for the M5 is about 60lbs.

Besides for weight, you have to consider the cranking amp so that you don't get left stranded somewhere because the battery is too weak. The lighter batteries usually have less cranking amps and would not be good for cars in really cold weather or cars with a lot of aftermarket audio equipment. I'm actually about to pull the trigger on the Brailled 21lb battery from TireRack. It's the heaviest but it has the most cranking amps and it's less than $200.

Here's more info on the Voltphreaks battery on a thread on M5Board: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/m5-e60-gr...-batteries.html

NobleForums

Forget about the Braille. They're rebadged East Penn Deka batteries with the addition of SAE battery posts.

That 21lb Braille you're looking at is the East Penn Deka ETX30L.





Why not just pick up the Deka from Ebay for like $70 or so:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Deka-ETX30L...4QQcmdZViewItem

Then, go to your local auto parts store and pick up SAE posts for like $5?

skunkd

I can also confirm that Deka is the manufacturer of the lighter 11lb battery as well that is what I use in my STi. Had both the braille and the deka, they are Identical.

deka is way cheaper. If you go with an extremely light weight battery just know that it is not that good in cold weather or not good for cars that sit unused for periods of time.

otherwise i recommend them completely very good mod.

EuroCarFan

Man, the next time I'm about to research something I'm just going to PM you Gabe.

So the Deka's exactly the same? How are they performance wise?

skunkd

Very good performance wise actually! The only time I ever ran into trouble with my 11 lb deka was when I put my car away for the season and drove it maybe 1 once every 3 months on the random nice days. This was my fault of course since I didnt use my trickle charger that season. otherwise i say y not

NobleForums

Identical performance, different quoted specs, different price.

If you really want a more expensive rebadged Deka, you may as well pick up a Big Crank battery. At least they're only marked up to $80 instead of $180.

http://www.bigcrank.com/motorcycleba...v?p=BIG-ETX30L

I've used a few of them. Good batteries.

Personally my favorite lightweight battery, price/performance wise, is currently the Tempest BAB30-12. Nice bump in (real, not just spec) crank and reserve at the same weight.

http://tempestbatteries.com/html/bab30-12.html

The LiFePo4 batteries are definitely the best currently available, until the Li4Ti5O12 batteries become widely available. Too costly for anything but the most radical ultralight racecar though.

http://www.nobleforums.com/showthread.php?t=4540

EuroCarFan

Alright, let's make this easier. Which battery should I get for my M5? Lightest possible battery without any starting issues. Considering I live in NorCal, I don't think I'll have a problem with severe cold weather and my car is a daily driver without any audio or electronics upgrades.

NobleForums

No budget constraints, eh? I hear ya, baller.

http://www.lifebatt.com/new2/retail_sheet.html

Get the LifeBatt 1240-HPS. It's an excellent LiFePo4 choice based on 40138 cells. It has an automatic secondary cutoff too, when it senses voltage drop below a certain point, it switches off. Just push the yellow button to reset and start car.

EuroCarFan

Uh no, I'm not rich. I can only spend what's in my son's college fund.

If cost wasn't an issue, I probably would have bought the Voltphreaks battery a while back.

How much is the LifeBat?