Need a new battery, again...

[BioBanker]

My battery has an astounding 2.3v according to my voltmeter.

Time for another battery.

Anyone have any local ideas? I could go OEM, again, but as long as it fits the tray and has a billion CCUs, and it doesnt weigh more than stock, Im up for trying something new.

I had the setting on my charger wrong - killed battery - cant bring it back.

Thoughts?

 

[NSXCessive]

I have an aftermarket stereo and wound up using a Yellow top Deep Cycle Optima D34/78. I've used this, and the red top style of battery in every car I've ever replaced an OEM battery in, and never had a problem with any of them. Not sure about the weight compared to stock, might be a bit heavier but an excellent battery for deep cycle, and recharging. I'm also using an on board trickle charger for the winter months while the car is in storage, although I don't need it (left over from my old OEM battery).

I had to slightly mod the battery terminal wires to reach the terminals (Unravelling some electrical tape to allow for some more give) which took 5mins. Terminals on the optima are closer together than the OEM battery, and reused the battery tray & OEM tie downs. The Optima is more narrow, so I have a block of wood to help keep it from moving around in the tray, I'll find some light plastic later, or try to get a buddy to machine me some aluminum brackets instead. You can find this battery in many different places, Crappy Tire, Walmart, Costco, Interstate dealers... etc usually go for around $199~250ish.

Cost a bit more than the average Lead Acid types, mine has been under the hood for about 4years now problem free so worth the extra bit. The first Optima I bought from Interstate batteries has been in use for 12 years and finally gave out this summer because I left it run down for over a year and then charged it with a bad battery charger killing it I can try to take a couple shots from under the hood if you want to see what it looks like? I know there are many other batteries out there dry cells that are lighter, but may not have the higher CCA?

See more info here http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive/deep_cycle.html

PDF Information Here http://www.optimabatteries.com/...

 

[nsxtasy]

Two thoughts:

1. If you want a lightweight battery, get the Odyssey PC925T. Some people get the smaller PC680T, but in a colder climate like ours, the PC925T, with its higher CCA, is a better bet. I've found the best prices here in the States from Portable Power Systems.

2. If you want a conventional battery, check out Costco. Their house batteries, branded with their Kirkland house brand, are made by Johnson Controls, a leading battery manufacturer (who also makes the Optima). They have a 100-month warranty and all the CCA you would ever want. When I recently purchased a conventional battery for my other car, I shopped a dozen different places, and Costco was substantially cheaper than anywhere else, including places like Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, Autozone, etc.

 

[BioBanker]

Ken - Ive found the size for the 925 and its quite small. What did you use to keep it in place? It is not obvious to me that this will be an easy fit in the tray.

The Optima looks to be much closer to stock size.


Thanks for both of those suggestions.

 

[lithiumus]

I've got a the Odyssey 680 with the Dali alimunium bracket. It's not installed yet but a trickle charger is suggested for this battery if it's not a daily driver.

Dali has aluminum mounts for for the 925 as well.

I also have always gone with Optima. I've got a yellow top in my daily driver and have had it for almost 7 years now and it's still strong. I'd have to measure, but I believe the yellow top will fit the NSX perfectly. My guess is that it's slightly heavier than the OEM.

If you don't need a battery ASAP, you are welcome to my OEM one as soon as I install my 680 which will be before summer, just let me know. I'm sure I can find some parts to pilfer from your car in return!

 

[lithiumus]

My OEM battery is less than a year old. My car came with a Sears battery!

 

[NSXCessive]

Yes it almost a perfect fit size wise, just a bit smaller than the OEM Length x Width, it is heavier than OEM... I'll snap some pics to show what it looks like installed...

...I also have always gone with Optima. I've got a yellow top in my daily driver and have had it for almost 7 years now and it's still strong. I'd have to measure, but I believe the yellow top will fit the NSX perfectly. My guess is that it's slightly heavier than the OEM.

 

[BioBanker]

Thankya Rudey and Garrick.

Garrick - Even though my car is away for the winter (why?), I would like a battery in it because I want its alarm working in my garage (which now has video cameras in it ), so I am looking for something to power the alarm. In the past Ive just disconnected the battery, but I sleep better knowing that Ill get paged if there is midnight activity around my car (prox sensor and compustar alarm) in the garage. High rate of garage breakins in my neighborhood.

Rudey -Thanks for all of the above suggestions - The optima is a great alternative to OEM. I dont think I need the pics to see what its like installed. I can envision it.

Im looking for a Dali mount for an Odyssey right now. Id buy it from Dali if I had confidence Id actually get the product I paid for. Seems it would be easy to rig something up though and since I can have it just sitting there unsecured during the winter, Im tempted to go for one of these small Harley batteries and figure it out. I think Id go 925T over the 680 just because I dont want to worry about trickle over the weekend. That said, between my tracker, the alarm and the wicked parasitic baseline NSX drain, not sure a 925 would make it a few days without a trickle either.

How do we figure out what the total drain is on an individual car over a 24hr period?

 

[lithiumus]

An Amp meter is the best way to tell what the drain level is but a good one is expensive and it's a part that I don't own... yet...

A 925 is a good choice and you might be fine not driving it for a few days, even a week but any longer, I'd use a trickle charger. I'll see what the 925 is reportedly capable of compared to the 680.

PM me about Dali.

 

[BioBanker]

Garrick - Ive got what i think is a pretty good digital voltmeter - does that cover amps also? I donno myself.

I do not even get 7 days out of the stock batter Garrick.

 

[lithiumus]

Hey Dave,

No, an amp meter is different and usually very expensive. It had a clamp that you basically hook around the wire you are measuring and it senses the Amperage that is flowing through it. I've been meaning to get one, but just not willing to shell out big bucks just because I'm a heavy DIYer... it's not my profession but you know me, I like to do a professional job!

7 days isn't good. My Acura battery dies after more than 2 weeks left idle. But then again, I don't have an alarm that puts an additional drain on the battery.

The Yellow top would be the most reliable and I'm sure would last a month or more but the 925 will be lighter and probably the same or worse than the OEM battery... I don't think the weight will make much difference for you so go for a Yellow top. They are about $189 from Costco.

You obviously don't care too much about weight with at BIGASS wing you have. You need to balance that weight up front with the heavier battery anyway!

 

[BioBanker]

The wing is all carbon - light as a feather!

 

[nsxtasy]

My NSX, with the PC925T, can go a week without recharging, and starts right up. If it's going to sit any longer than that, I usually connect my onboard charger.

Incidentally, the T on the end of the Odyssey model number - PC680T, PC925T - refers to the fact that the battery comes with terminal posts. Leave the T off, and you have to add the terminals.

 

[omeys_berlina]

Garrick - Even though my car is away for the winter (why?), I would like a battery in it because I want its alarm working in my garage (which now has video cameras in it ), so I am looking for something to power the alarm. In the past Ive just disconnected the battery, but I sleep better knowing that Ill get paged if there is midnight activity around my car (prox sensor and compustar alarm) in the garage. High rate of garage breakins in my neighborhood.

I know how you feel. I saw one guy install a smoke machine in his prelude, and if anyone broke the window and entered the vehicle, the whole car would fill up with smoke. The guy said "You can't steal what you can't see". Sounds like a plan........

 

[BioBanker]

I decided to try the smaller battery and rig up a bracket to make it fit.

Odyssey 925T on its way. Should arrive Monday.

Thanks guys.

 

[pierceman]

BIO,
mine just died too. I left my stereo on too long and my bat died, I can not even jump it it has not started yet. It cranks but there is no spark. any ideas? it feel like an engine imobilizer. what did i do :redface:

MAtt - happy new year

 

[lithiumus]

Don't jump it... use another running car to charge your battery for at least 15-20 mins. Then disconnect it, and try your car again.

Buy a $30 trickle charger from CT and leave it on for a day or two. If the red light goes out, you are fully charged and try again. Then see how long the car will last and still start up. A good (NSX) battery should last about 2 - 3 weeks and 1 - 2 if it's an older battery. If you have the trickle charger, you can always plug it in to keep a full charge.

 

[BioBanker]

Matt - get a digital volt meter and see what the battery is putting out.

Itll come in handy for other stuff, too.

 

[lithiumus]

Just for reference, a healthy battery should read a voltage of 12.5 - 12.9 volts. As the battery looses charge, the voltage drops.

The alternator puts out 14.4 - 14.5 volts so when the car running, the battery will show the alternator voltage rather than it's own. When you turn the car off, the battery will quickly drop its' voltage and stabilize showing it's voltage level.

 

[Red]

Dave would have no battery problems if he would just buy a stereo for his house instead of using the one in his car to provide music in his kitchen!

He'd also not be as worried the neighbours are going to f$#k with his car!

 

[1HOT NSX]

My OEM Honda battery just died after 7 years and 1 month of service. Guess what I'm going to replace it with? I'm just posting this for those who are considering replacing the OEM battery with something else for whatever reason - you might want to reconsider. The OEM works for me - perfect fit and loonng lasting!