New Battery...

[Arshad]

Man I need to get a new battery now. Weather was awesome so I pulled the car out and got it going with a boost, but the charge won't hold and it's dead in the garage right now. I'm still running my original OEM battery. Any recommendations on what I should replace it with? Something lightweight would be nice. I need to get this done today, like maybe at lunch

 

[magictooth]

I did the same thing to my Legend last year. I bought the NSX last summer and didn't start the Legend until October. Battery was dead and wouldn't hold a charge. I got a battery from Acura. It wasn't too bad (I think about $110 installed). I learned my lesson and disconnected the battery on the NSX. I took the car out once this winter in January after making sure there was no snow, and it fired up perfectly.

Man I need to get a new battery now. Weather was awesome so I pulled the car out and got it going with a boost, but the charge won't hold and it's dead in the garage right now. I'm still running my original OEM battery. Any recommendations on what I should replace it with? Something lightweight would be nice. I need to get this done today, like maybe at lunch

 

[BioBanker]

Last winter (04/05) mine was cooked very quickly also. Wouldnt hold a charge for even 5 minutes. Acura replaced mine on warranty, so I used a tender all winter, or disconnected it.

Ppl keep talking about the Optima batteries. Id look into those. PM Garrick, he will prob know exactly what to do.

BTW - my car is scarey fast!

 

[Arshad]

Too bad you have a short commute to work I'm trying to find an Acura dealer a little far away so I have more of an excuse to drive my car this afternoon hehe. I keep hearing about Black Panther and Optima etc, but not sure if I can find it today, and then there are issues about fitting the bracket etc. I called Markham Acura and they have some OEM batteries in stock so I may just go that route for now.

 

[swbatte]

I bought a battery from Acura last spring to (5year warranty, $110.) You can save on installation if you want. It's easy to do, but they may include it for you!

I put it on a trickle charger this week and it's mint.

I found that the new battery improved the sound of my stereo considerably. I didn't even know that my sub wasn't working until it started to after installing the new battery.

 

[red_dragon]

honestly, Optima is the only way to go!!

 

[Arshad]

Optima because it's lighter? Who carries it in the GTA?

 

[joboo]

i'm pretty sure Costco sells Optima-check it out! They are the way to go - they are a sealed gel pack or something. No leaks and can be mounted in any way- on its side- standing up

 

[Arshad]

I didn't see it on Costco.ca, but I'll go check out the store in person. I ended up getting a boost and driving to the dealership. After I pulled into the service bay and turned the car off, I turned the key just for the heck of it and it growled to life with no problem! I guess I just hadn't driven it long enough this morning to charge it up fully. I'll probably end up replacing the battery anyways, but for now it appears I'm back up and running. Good thing I chose a dealership that was far away BTW, noticed lots of cops on various main streets. I think the nice weather makes everyone speed up a bit and they're on the lookout, so be careful out there!

 

[lithiumus]

Hey Arshad,

Yellow Tops are great but the ones at Costco are not the right size. Since they are deep cycle batteries, they allow the battery to be almost fully drained multiple times without damage. Yellow Tops also hold the charge longer and are dry cells. Costco Yellow Top prices have dropped from $225 down to $180 so it's not a bad deal.

Then again, the Acura battery, which I recently bought because my previous owner had a "SEARS" battery! It couldn't hold a charge unless I was driving it no less than 3-4 days. The Canadian Winter killed the SoCal Sears battery!

I also have an Odyssey lightweight battery but unless you drive the NSX everyday, it will need to be on a Battery tender all the time. Since they are motorcycle batteries, don't expect those to supplement your charging system like the Yellow Top or even OEM for that matter.

FYI, the OEM battery is not built to withstand deep cycle without damage so expect that everytime your battery runs dead that it takes more life out of the battery.

Since the OEM battery has a 5 year guarantee, for $110, you really can't go wrong... At this point, I'd get one just for piece of mind. I bought mine and didn't install it for a month, left it out in the cold and it stayed charged. I installed it without having to charge it at all. Runs great.

 

[Red]

BTW - my car is scarey fast!

Two things:
1) You can buy a special Porsche (not their brand, but at their delaerships) char charger for $100, it plugs into the cig lighter and then to a wall plug, it keeps the battery topped up all winter - nice - I'll use it on the 944 everytime I park between track events.

2) Dave, why is your car so fast? Did you do the SC? (If so I wanna s-e-e!):biggrin:

 

[BioBanker]

2) Dave, why is your car so fast? Did you do the SC? (If so I wanna s-e-e!):biggrin:

Who me? Do I look like a cheating ba$tard? :wink:

 

[BioBanker]

I told you that Garrick would know! The kid knows everything. My steering wheel hub should arrive this week Garrick. I cant wait to stuff the new wheel in.

Hey Arshad,

Yellow Tops are great but the ones at Costco are not the right size. Since they are deep cycle batteries, they allow the battery to be almost fully drained multiple times without damage. Yellow Tops also hold the charge longer and are dry cells. Costco Yellow Top prices have dropped from $225 down to $180 so it's not a bad deal.

Then again, the Acura battery, which I recently bought because my previous owner had a "SEARS" battery! It couldn't hold a charge unless I was driving it no less than 3-4 days. The Canadian Winter killed the SoCal Sears battery!

I also have an Odyssey lightweight battery but unless you drive the NSX everyday, it will need to be on a Battery tender all the time. Since they are motorcycle batteries, don't expect those to supplement your charging system like the Yellow Top or even OEM for that matter.

FYI, the OEM battery is not built to withstand deep cycle without damage so expect that everytime your battery runs dead that it takes more life out of the battery.

Since the OEM battery has a 5 year guarantee, for $110, you really can't go wrong... At this point, I'd get one just for piece of mind. I bought mine and didn't install it for a month, left it out in the cold and it stayed charged. I installed it without having to charge it at all. Runs great.

 

[Tony Montoya]

The Sears Diehard in my NSX has lasted 11 years this summer. I only started hooking up a Schumacker charger to it the last 5 years or so. Over the years it's died a few times but still holds a charge. It might not start this spring but that's OK.
Sears Canada closed it's auto shops and parts dept.

 

[lithiumus]

I told you that Garrick would know! The kid knows everything. My steering wheel hub should arrive this week Garrick. I cant wait to stuff the new wheel in.

Thanks for the kudos! Let me know when it arrives. One more note, does the hub come with SRS bypass? i.e. if we disconnect your drivers' SRS, the SRS light will come on.

Just let me know as I can make a bypass for you if it doesn't come with one. I'm right by Active Surplus and that other electronics store and can get the required parts before hand.

G

 

[BioBanker]

^^^ Brain drain from the US to Canada right up there^^^^^

The Americans were crazy for lettin' you leave.

I ordered the rapid steering hub from SOS. http://www.scienceofspeed.com/produ...s/NSX/ScienceofSpeed/steering_hub/default.asp

Doesnt mention SRS, but it does say that I can use the horn and cruise (the steering wheel has two additional buttons aside from the honker).

 

[lithiumus]

Ha-ha! You'll be proud to know that I was always Canadian and it was the US that tried to Brain drain! I decided to drain back! :biggrin: It's pretty simple really, I'll show you how it's done...

OK, the SOS hub. You will need the SRS bypass since you definitely want your passenger SRS to continue working in lieu of your drivers SRS. Forget about the cruise control unless you want to use buttons provided by the aftermarket wheel. Retrofitting the OEM buttons is not worth the hassle but yes, the SOS allows the wires for the cruise to reach the wheel. Just depends on how you want to utilize those wires, or not all.

 

[BioBanker]

Well, Ive got the buttons on the wheel so if its easy to rig up cruise, then Id like to do that. That said, Im not even sure my cruise works; Ive never used it

 

[lithiumus]

Shouldn't be a problem. As long as you have 2 additional buttons plus 1 horn, you are good to go. I'll hook them up. Just send me a PM when it arrives and we can arrange a time.

 

[Arshad]

You're the man Garrick! I'm glad we stole you away from SoCal!

Re: Battery -- yeah I definitely need something that can do multiple deep discharges. All this time I thought that I had the original OEM battery, but now I think that's probably not the case as every winter it ends up dying completely and I boost it in the spring and it's good to go. In fact this was the first year I've driven it a few minutes and it didn't hold its charge. I'll look into the yellowtops. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Red]

Shouldn't be a problem. As long as you have 2 additional buttons plus 1 horn, you are good to go. I'll hook them up. Just send me a PM when it arrives and we can arrange a time.

PM/email/call me too! I'd love to watch the metal surgery!

I even offer my garage as a venue (two cars and empty)! And, I live down the road from Garrick.:wink:

S

 

[lithiumus]

You're the man Garrick! I'm glad we stole you away from SoCal!

Re: Battery -- yeah I definitely need something that can do multiple deep discharges. All this time I thought that I had the original OEM battery, but now I think that's probably not the case as every winter it ends up dying completely and I boost it in the spring and it's good to go. In fact this was the first year I've driven it a few minutes and it didn't hold its charge. I'll look into the yellowtops. Thanks for the tips!

No problem Arshad! The Yellow Top model is SC34DA. Double Check Costco just in case as I don't think I checked the model number to verify and I had already bought my OEM so it didn't matter much...

It's definitely possible that your battery is the original. A deep cycle every year probably eventually killed the battery like the old cell phone batteries before NiMH and Lithium. Let us know what you end up getting.

 

[lithiumus]

PM/email/call me too! I'd love to watch the metal surgery!

I even offer my garage as a venue (two cars and empty)! And, I live down the road from Garrick.:wink:

S

You're on. Since you have a nice big garage to work in... we'll take you up on the offer! I'll PM you when Dave's goodies arrive.

G

 

[BioBanker]

My stuff has arrived!

Stu - I love the idea of doing this in your swanky garage and I love that you're so close to Garrick so it is easy for him. Im less fond of the thought of you guys ripping around in my car after you and Garrick say that "oh Dave, we gotta go and it will take too long for us to put your steering wheel back on, so you will have to leave your car here for awhile".

When works for you guys?

Ive gotta get my brake lines and harness bar and belt installed too. Waiting to hear back from my Acura tech if he will do the bar.

As an aside, my rear lights have condensation. My warranty is up. CRAP!

 

[Oyagi]

Incidentally, are there law issues with changing the airbagged wheel with an aftermarket one? I have a new momo race I'd love to install but for some reason I thought it was illegal.