DIY: Dry-cell lightweight battery installation.
#1
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DIY: Dry-cell lightweight battery installation.
This week I finished my new dry-cell battery installation. Reason? To shave weight off of the front. Stock battery weights 35.5 lbs on my scales and my new PC545 is 11.5 lbs. 24 lbs difference. Some people might say "what the point? you wouldn't notice!". Well to each his own... I can assure you car accelerate and turns better. Because it has less inertia. That's the law of physics.
Odyssey battery series is most recommended according to my research, and they really do superb product. PC545 is one of the smallest in series. It comes fully charged, in tough shell and can be installed upside down or on side or however you need it. Car starts without a hesitation... I use the battery for 5 days now. Of course it's not recommended to listen to audio with engine off. Or to leave headlights on. Buttery discharge time is 19 minutes as I understood.
Also some research shows danger of hi temperatures for dry-cell batteries... I found out that Z's battery compartment is well isolated from engine compartment and it's actully cool there after a drive. It' probably ventilated somehow...
First, couple of pictures of stock and dry-cell side by side:
Odyssey battery series is most recommended according to my research, and they really do superb product. PC545 is one of the smallest in series. It comes fully charged, in tough shell and can be installed upside down or on side or however you need it. Car starts without a hesitation... I use the battery for 5 days now. Of course it's not recommended to listen to audio with engine off. Or to leave headlights on. Buttery discharge time is 19 minutes as I understood.
Also some research shows danger of hi temperatures for dry-cell batteries... I found out that Z's battery compartment is well isolated from engine compartment and it's actully cool there after a drive. It' probably ventilated somehow...
First, couple of pictures of stock and dry-cell side by side:
Last edited by Vlad; 05-03-2004 at 05:53 AM.
#4
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Re: DIY: Dry-cell lightweight battery installation.
Now to the installation. It took me quite a while to think out the best installation method... and couple of trips to home depot...
So here is how i did it. You'll need 1 piece of aluminum L profile 1x1". One piece of aluminum square profile 1x1". Two 10-32 1 1/2" bolts (if I remember well) with cup-shaped nuts. Two 1/2 screws, and drill. Paint if you want to paint new pieces.
Installation is totally reversabel so it allows to switch back to stock battery for winter.
First, open the battery compartment. Plastic cover is hold by 5 plastic rivets. The pop up easily if you push them up from inside. With compartment open unattach the battery terminals, screws, and remove the battery.
Since wires are quite short, there is really only one position where wires will reach the battery. That's were new holder for the battery goes
It's made from aluminum 1x1 L profile. I just lay the piece near the battery and did all the measurements... In the corners I drill 1/4 whole, and cut 90deg piece with metal scissors. It bends easily after that. Drill small wholes in battery stand and screw new piece in with screws.
Fit couple of pieces of thin alluminum to make battery floor flat:
So here is how i did it. You'll need 1 piece of aluminum L profile 1x1". One piece of aluminum square profile 1x1". Two 10-32 1 1/2" bolts (if I remember well) with cup-shaped nuts. Two 1/2 screws, and drill. Paint if you want to paint new pieces.
Installation is totally reversabel so it allows to switch back to stock battery for winter.
First, open the battery compartment. Plastic cover is hold by 5 plastic rivets. The pop up easily if you push them up from inside. With compartment open unattach the battery terminals, screws, and remove the battery.
Since wires are quite short, there is really only one position where wires will reach the battery. That's were new holder for the battery goes
It's made from aluminum 1x1 L profile. I just lay the piece near the battery and did all the measurements... In the corners I drill 1/4 whole, and cut 90deg piece with metal scissors. It bends easily after that. Drill small wholes in battery stand and screw new piece in with screws.
Fit couple of pieces of thin alluminum to make battery floor flat:
Last edited by Vlad; 05-03-2004 at 06:15 AM.
#5
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Thread Starter
Re: Re: DIY: Dry-cell lightweight battery installation.
Next we use this
to make this
Essencialy it's just a two pieces of aluminum tube screwed together... It's easy just to show than to explain. Use stock top piece to measure the length and holes location.
This picture won't take any tropheys for best photography, but it show's how I attached two pieces together with 10-32 1 1/2 screws and cup nuts:
Here is whole piece assembled with stock poles:
to make this
Essencialy it's just a two pieces of aluminum tube screwed together... It's easy just to show than to explain. Use stock top piece to measure the length and holes location.
This picture won't take any tropheys for best photography, but it show's how I attached two pieces together with 10-32 1 1/2 screws and cup nuts:
Here is whole piece assembled with stock poles:
#6
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Thread Starter
Re: Re: Re: DIY: Dry-cell lightweight battery installation.
The job is done, let's install this baby:
The small pole attaches to lower opening on the left ( there is two holes there and it goes into upper one for stock)
I used round socket on the longer poll since new top piece is too low for stock thread.
Now, put the plastic cover back!
Enjoy the ride!
The small pole attaches to lower opening on the left ( there is two holes there and it goes into upper one for stock)
I used round socket on the longer poll since new top piece is too low for stock thread.
Now, put the plastic cover back!
Enjoy the ride!
Last edited by Vlad; 05-03-2004 at 06:33 AM.
#7
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Thread Starter
Originally posted by jckolnturn
it's so small you could carry a second one in case that one dies but that would defeat the purpose right?
it's so small you could carry a second one in case that one dies but that would defeat the purpose right?
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#8
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Originally posted by drivesolo
Vlad, I like your thinking. This car needs to go on a crash diet. Don't you run in B-Stock though? Can you change your battery under SCCA rules? I can't recall.
Vlad, I like your thinking. This car needs to go on a crash diet. Don't you run in B-Stock though? Can you change your battery under SCCA rules? I can't recall.
#9
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Guess I spoiled somebody's business... $235 is about 135, or 135% more than I paid for parts and battery...
http://www.ntechengineering.com/inde...12&model_id=10
http://www.ntechengineering.com/inde...12&model_id=10
#10
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How about Optima batteries? Aren't they also lighter then stock? From the looks of the optima 6pack design, it looks like an easy fit in the stock battery compartment.
#12
I also like your approach. Have you thought about removing the spare wheel and going to a lighter weight exhaust? I see you went with 17" wheels - good choice for weight.
I have a couple of non-traditional weight reduction developments in the works that I'll bring to the forum when tested out.
I have a couple of non-traditional weight reduction developments in the works that I'll bring to the forum when tested out.
#13
Vlad, I'm glad it worked out for you. Great writeup on the install. Did you ened up making the purchase from gotbatteries.com? If so, I assume the transaction went smoothly?
I'm so lazy I may have to ask you to make me a bracket
I'm so lazy I may have to ask you to make me a bracket
#14
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Thread Starter
Originally posted by boyze
I also like your approach. Have you thought about removing the spare wheel and going to a lighter weight exhaust? I see you went with 17" wheels - good choice for weight.
I have a couple of non-traditional weight reduction developments in the works that I'll bring to the forum when tested out.
I also like your approach. Have you thought about removing the spare wheel and going to a lighter weight exhaust? I see you went with 17" wheels - good choice for weight.
I have a couple of non-traditional weight reduction developments in the works that I'll bring to the forum when tested out.
Ti exhaust is an obvious step... The only problem is to find $2K+ to buy it. I can't affort it right now.
#15
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Thread Starter
Originally posted by trackstar
Vlad, I'm glad it worked out for you. Great writeup on the install. Did you ened up making the purchase from gotbatteries.com? If so, I assume the transaction went smoothly?
I'm so lazy I may have to ask you to make me a bracket
Vlad, I'm glad it worked out for you. Great writeup on the install. Did you ened up making the purchase from gotbatteries.com? If so, I assume the transaction went smoothly?
I'm so lazy I may have to ask you to make me a bracket
How much would you pay for a braket? I'm too lasy to do it for reasonable price...
#16
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Thread Starter
Originally posted by boyze
I have a couple of non-traditional weight reduction developments in the works that I'll bring to the forum when tested out.
I have a couple of non-traditional weight reduction developments in the works that I'll bring to the forum when tested out.
#17
Originally posted by Vlad
Yes. gotbatteries is the way to go. Verrry fast transaction.
How much would you pay for a braket? I'm too lasy to do it for reasonable price...
Yes. gotbatteries is the way to go. Verrry fast transaction.
How much would you pay for a braket? I'm too lasy to do it for reasonable price...