Light weight batteries
02-08-2009, 08:38 PM
#14
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My Ride: E60 M5, F85 X5M
I was just kidding and asked about that one cause it was the cheapest. 
I was looking to spend around $200 give or take so for that price, and from all the brands you know out there, what would be the best choice? Or if the best choice means I need to spend more, let me know that too.
I was looking to spend around $200 give or take so for that price, and from all the brands you know out there, what would be the best choice? Or if the best choice means I need to spend more, let me know that too.
02-09-2009, 06:07 AM
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My Ride: E60 M5, F85 X5M
Originally Posted by NobleForums' post='788404' date='Feb 9 2009, 12:00 AM
Well, I've used both the EXT30L and the BAB30-12, and the BAB does lasts longer between charges. They're both good batteries though.
02-09-2009, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by EuroCarFan' post='788526' date='Feb 9 2009, 07:07 AM
Those have 370 and 380 Cold Cranking Amps respectively whereas what was recommended for use on the M5 is the Braille 21lb or the Voltphreaks VPH900, both have 550 CCAs. Do you think I would need the higher CCAs?
Yeah, that's why I said above that the performance was identical, but the quoted specs were different.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2353060
It's not the rebadger's claims that's important, it's the actual real world performance.
02-09-2009, 01:55 PM
#19
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My Ride: E60 M5, F85 X5M
I just read that first post from vwvortex. So the ETX20L shows only 270CCAs on the spec sheet, actually tested at 499CCAs ?? Does that mean the ETX30L, spec'd at 370CCA, could possibly test a lot higher than 500CCAs in real world use? Wonder what the reason is for the huge discrepancy....
Anyway, bottomline, you think I'm good to go with the ETX30L?
Anyway, bottomline, you think I'm good to go with the ETX30L?
02-09-2009, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by EuroCarFan' post='788837' date='Feb 9 2009, 02:55 PM
I just read that first post from vwvortex. So the ETX20L shows only 270CCAs on the spec sheet, actually tested at 499CCAs ?? Does that mean the ETX30L, spec'd at 370CCA, could possibly test a lot higher than 500CCAs in real world use? Wonder what the reason is for the huge discrepancy....
Anyway, bottomline, you think I'm good to go with the ETX30L?
Anyway, bottomline, you think I'm good to go with the ETX30L?
The issue with the specs is no one keeps to a "standard" to measure down to, that's why each is rated differently. That's also why the Amp Hours read so differently from company to company. Some rate down to 10.02v, some to 11v, some to 10.5v, etc.
If you go with the ETX30L (plus SAE posts, of course), you'll be as good as if you bought that Braille 21lb battery. You can buy me a beer with your leftover cash.
Remember though, these batteries are different from the stock battery. The reserve capacity is lower than the OE battery. The charging characteristics are different. Their deep cycle characteristics are different.
I have not used any of these on the M5, only on other vehicles. Because I have not used the battery in question on this specific application, I don't know how well it will work with the kind of certainty I like when recommending a product. All I can say is, the ETX30L + posts is a good, money saving alternative to paying for the Braille, since they work the same.