When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've Googled and searched a bit on the forum, but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I have my battery located in the rear bin and I got a new Miata battery to replace the dead one. However, the CCA is 370 and the amp is 500. Is that enough to start and run the car? It's also a standard battery, if it's in the rear bin, should I be running a dry cell?
That should be good, I've been running a Miata battery for quite a while and it is fine. The only downside with going to a smaller battery is you have less reserve, that means less cranking if the car doesn't immediately start. Also you can't run things as long with the engine not on.
Any battery in the passenger compartment needs to be a sealed battery or needs a vent. Standard Miata batteries have little rubber vent tubes that hook up to them to vent gasses to the outside - the Miata battery goes in the trunk, so it is vented.
I’d recommend a Braille B3121 battery. It delivers 1,380 PCA and has great reserve for its size. Less than 22 pounds and smaller than an Odyssey PC925.
That should be good, I've been running a Miata battery for quite a while and it is fine. The only downside with going to a smaller battery is you have less reserve, that means less cranking if the car doesn't immediately start. Also you can't run things as long with the engine not on.
Any battery in the passenger compartment needs to be a sealed battery or needs a vent. Standard Miata batteries have little rubber vent tubes that hook up to them to vent gasses to the outside - the Miata battery goes in the trunk, so it is vented.
Dale
Sweet! Thanks! If it vents into the interior, does that cause any health risk?
Originally Posted by Brilliant7-LFC
IÂ’d recommend a Braille B3121 battery. It delivers 1,380 PCA and has great reserve for its size. Less than 22 pounds and smaller than an Odyssey PC925.
No issue with my Miata battery, this one been in the car for about 3 years now, it has enough reserve to start the car several times in a row.
The CCA number is not as important as the RC, ideally you want a battery with high RC, 370 CA will start the car fine, it's the RC that gives you more try if you run into problem. IIRC the stock battery RC is 90mins, so you want something as close to that as possible, the Miata battery RC is 45mins, and I think the B3121 Nick suggested has 75mins RC.
I vent my battery, when I did the relocation I drilled a small hole behind the bin to run a small vacuum hose out the back to release the fumes.
There is a rubber grommet under the bin, can I put the hose vent through that? Is it best to use 0 gauge 2 gauge or can I use 4 gauge for the run to the rear bin?
There is a rubber grommet under the bin, can I put the hose vent through that? Is it best to use 0 gauge 2 gauge or can I use 4 gauge for the run to the rear bin?
You can put the vent hose anywhere it reaches outside.
As for the wiring, that largely depends on your car and what aftermarket goodies you have. For 95% of us, 4 gauge is plenty good. If you have aftermarket amplifiers and subwoofers, 0 gauge may be the better option. It’s a trade off however between power needs and ease of install. The thicker 0 gauge wire will be less flexible and more difficult to deal with.
Here’s a link to the best battery relocation writeup I’ve seen:
I've been having good luck with these. S925 - 12V AGM Battery They are more affordable than Braille and seem to last longer. Don't worry about the retail price. You can buy them for about $180.
I've been having good luck with these. S925 - 12V AGM Battery They are more affordable than Braille and seem to last longer. Don't worry about the retail price. You can buy them for about $180.
I got my Braille for about $200 which makes the prices comparable. The XS battery you posted up has less than half the cranking amps that the Braille has and is roughly the same price, so why would you recommend it over a Braille?
As for longevity, I can’t say, I’ve only had the battery for about six months. However, a quality battery made in the USA (which Braille is), if charged and maintained properly, should last you several years.
There are other factors of course, such as climate but generally speaking I’m expecting 2-3 years from this battery - maybe more if I’m lucky.
Nick
EDIT: After reading on XS Power’s website, it looks like only a select few batteries are made in the US. Just food for thought, but only their “Super Cell” batteries come from here. On a more minor note the XS battery here weighs about a pound and a half more than the Braille, no big deal.
Last edited by Brilliant7-LFC; 11-14-17 at 10:12 PM.
I've been having good luck with these. S925 - 12V AGM Battery They are more affordable than Braille and seem to last longer. Don't worry about the retail price. You can buy them for about $180.
This just looks like a Odyssey PC925. Why XSpower over Odyssey?
FYI, either way when at SEMA all the manufacturers had batteries similar in size to Odyssey's range.
I did not check the capacity/internal technology for CCA, reserve etc.
This just looks like a Odyssey PC925. Why XSpower over Odyssey?
FYI, either way when at SEMA all the manufacturers had batteries similar in size to Odyssey's range.
I did not check the capacity/internal technology for CCA, reserve etc.
Exactly. The Braille B3121 is virtually identical in size to the PC925 (actually slightly smaller), except it has 50% more cranking power and weighs 5 pounds less than the Odyssey does.
It weighs the least, cranks harder, has the most reserve, is made in the USA, and is used in race applications from HPDE to F1. I’m convinced that Braille is the best option by far.
My old Odyssey PC925, for comparison had so little reserve that if I didn’t drive it for long just here and there it would begin to crank a little slow. Never with the B3121.
Remember that a weak battery with our cars leads to big problems. Flooding and fuel dilution with the oil.
After having a number of Odyssey and Optima Red Top batteries die on my prematurely I stopped using them. I remember years ago if you would kill one of these batteries they would usually charge back up with the correct charger. I believe they are being manufactured with cheaper materials and don't seem to last these days. The Braille 21lb is about $30-40 more expensive than the XS925. Not a giant different but to some it matters. XS is readily available in the NE USA. I can have most next day. They also have a nice mount that doesn't cost an arm and a leg like the Braille mounts.
11-10-17 | 10:44 AM
