Ginger gets a Braille light weight race battery! - Page 4 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

notagoat · 02-27-2013, 11:02 PM

FYI Braille batteries are rebadged Big Crank batteries, both manufactured by East Penn. Big Crank batteries are marketed for motorcycles and ATVs, but they are the exact same batteries. Look for the ETX20L if you want the 15lb battery, ETX30L if you want the 21lb. I had an ETX30L in my 2001 Z28 and it was great. I have a high watt system in my 2010 so I haven't made the jump yet but I'm sure it would be fine.

TJ91 · 02-27-2013, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notagoat

FYI Braille batteries are rebadged Big Crank batteries, both manufactured by East Penn. Big Crank batteries are marketed for motorcycles and ATVs, but they are the exact same batteries. Look for the ETX20L if you want the 15lb battery, ETX30L if you want the 21lb. I had an ETX30L in my 2001 Z28 and it was great. I have a high watt system in my 2010 so I haven't made the jump yet but I'm sure it would be fine.

Is this method cheaper?

notagoat · 02-27-2013, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ91

Is this method cheaper?

Sorry forgot to mention prices! The Big crank batteries are around $88 for the 15lb, $100 for the 21lb, shipped. So I would say so! Unless marketing (having a "lightweight race battery") is worth $80 to you...

Brian 1LE SS · 02-28-2013, 01:44 AM

If you guys want real lightweight check out anti gravity batteries. 4lbs. http://antigravitybatteries.com/?page_id=3262

ChrisBlair · 02-28-2013, 06:16 AM

And it's a lead battery not li-ion or li-poly? Awesome.

SUKXOST · 02-28-2013, 07:08 AM

I'm leaning towards the 2317 but do our cars need the right side positive or not?

I've seen pics with batteries in both ways and just flipped around....does it matter?

Also, what does the reserve capacity (RC) mean? Is that how long before the battery would die if I left my halos on or something?

Also, does the mounting kit work with our cars? Do we also need the FRP Kit with the 8" hooks?

They don't have a vehicle breakdown for install/mounting application help...frustrating. Thanks for any guidance anyone can provide...been looking at these for months.

Pro Stock John · 02-28-2013, 08:26 AM

Notagoat thanks will check out the info.

Doc · 02-28-2013, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notagoat

FYI Braille batteries are rebadged Big Crank batteries, both manufactured by East Penn. Big Crank batteries are marketed for motorcycles and ATVs, but they are the exact same batteries. Look for the ETX20L if you want the 15lb battery, ETX30L if you want the 21lb. I had an ETX30L in my 2001 Z28 and it was great. I have a high watt system in my 2010 so I haven't made the jump yet but I'm sure it would be fine.

Since I'm always interested in saving money if it's reasonable to do so I looked at these batteries but they don't appear to be equal to the Braille versions. For example the CCA (cold cranking amps) of the 15 lb Braille battery is rated at 426 (mine was factory-tested at 682 CCA) but the Big Crank battery you listed only has a CCA rating of 310. The amp hours of the Braille is 21 versus the Big Crank which is 17.5.

The Big Crank is really a motorcycle battery and just doesn't have the same "oomph" as the Braille does. That's not to say it wouldn't work in a race-only application but for a street car, especially if you live in colder climates, I'd prefer the battery with more cranking power.

vroomapunk · 02-28-2013, 12:37 PM

Dont worry about whether it would last the car as long if the alternator fails. With all the electronics/lights/electric engine components modern cars have, either battery would be drained fairly quickly.

Also, as stated before, alternator failures arent that common.

gmen09 · 02-28-2013, 01:44 PM

Are these batteries "up to the task" of being in a car that's driven daily (3-5 times a week)

Pro Stock John · 02-28-2013, 02:13 PM

Some are but some might like cold weather.

I've been planning to get a 17 or 20 lb one for DD, but nothing smaller I think.

kjkjr27 · 02-28-2013, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Some are but some might like cold weather.

I've been planning to get a 17 or 20 lb one for DD, but nothing smaller I think.

Same here, I went to their website and haven't been able to find anything about CCA.

Pro Stock John · 02-28-2013, 02:42 PM

Cold cranking amps?

kjkjr27 · 02-28-2013, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Cold cranking amps?

Yea unless I am missing it I haven't found any info about it.

02-27-2013, 11:02 PM	#43
notagoat Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 333	FYI Braille batteries are rebadged Big Crank batteries, both manufactured by East Penn. Big Crank batteries are marketed for motorcycles and ATVs, but they are the exact same batteries. Look for the ETX20L if you want the 15lb battery, ETX30L if you want the 21lb. I had an ETX30L in my 2001 Z28 and it was great. I have a high watt system in my 2010 so I haven't made the jump yet but I'm sure it would be fine. __________________

02-28-2013, 01:44 AM	#46
Brian 1LE SS Drives: 98 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 461	If you guys want real lightweight check out anti gravity batteries. 4lbs. http://antigravitybatteries.com/?page_id=3262 __________________ 98 Camaro SS M6, a few mods 13 Ram R/T, tow vehicle 6th gen??

02-28-2013, 06:16 AM	#47
ChrisBlair Buick 455 Fan Drives: 1970 Buick, 2012 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5,957	And it's a lead battery not li-ion or li-poly? Awesome. __________________

02-28-2013, 07:08 AM	#48
SUKXOST Do you even lift, bro? Drives: 2013 1LE Camaro Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Sumter, SC Posts: 3,159 View My Garage	I'm leaning towards the 2317 but do our cars need the right side positive or not? I've seen pics with batteries in both ways and just flipped around....does it matter? Also, what does the reserve capacity (RC) mean? Is that how long before the battery would die if I left my halos on or something? Also, does the mounting kit work with our cars? Do we also need the FRP Kit with the 8" hooks? They don't have a vehicle breakdown for install/mounting application help...frustrating. Thanks for any guidance anyone can provide...been looking at these for months. __________________ My 1LE (645WHP/597WTQ) build/journal Thread: 1st ever 1LE COTW http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255461

02-28-2013, 08:26 AM	#49
Pro Stock John Writer Drives: 2010 SS / 1967 Camaro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 7,216	Notagoat thanks will check out the info. __________________ PROJECT HEAVY CHEVY Camaro Now: Mods for the Masses Part I \| Part II 13.15@106 1.95 \| 100% Stock 12.37@112 1.85 \| + Kooks Headers/Cats + 20" 555R + CAI + BW TB + UDP + Tune 12.06@113 1.70 \| + CD 3200 + 18" NT05R + RCR Intake + NE OTR + GPI Tune 11.84@115 1.59 \| + 3.91s + Race Star 17x7 Fronts 10.90@125 1.47 \| + GPI VVT Cam + BW Ported Heads + CD 3800

02-28-2013, 12:37 PM	#51
vroomapunk [COTW 5/12/14] Drives: 2012 CRT NF Cammed 2SS/RS For Sale Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NOLA Posts: 6,115 View My Garage	Dont worry about whether it would last the car as long if the alternator fails. With all the electronics/lights/electric engine components modern cars have, either battery would be drained fairly quickly. Also, as stated before, alternator failures arent that common. __________________

02-28-2013, 01:44 PM	#52
gmen09 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS ls3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Flemington NJ Posts: 588 View My Garage	Are these batteries "up to the task" of being in a car that's driven daily (3-5 times a week) __________________

02-28-2013, 02:13 PM	#53
Pro Stock John Writer Drives: 2010 SS / 1967 Camaro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 7,216	Some are but some might like cold weather. I've been planning to get a 17 or 20 lb one for DD, but nothing smaller I think. __________________ PROJECT HEAVY CHEVY Camaro Now: Mods for the Masses Part I \| Part II 13.15@106 1.95 \| 100% Stock 12.37@112 1.85 \| + Kooks Headers/Cats + 20" 555R + CAI + BW TB + UDP + Tune 12.06@113 1.70 \| + CD 3200 + 18" NT05R + RCR Intake + NE OTR + GPI Tune 11.84@115 1.59 \| + 3.91s + Race Star 17x7 Fronts 10.90@125 1.47 \| + GPI VVT Cam + BW Ported Heads + CD 3800

02-28-2013, 02:42 PM	#55
Pro Stock John Writer Drives: 2010 SS / 1967 Camaro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 7,216	Cold cranking amps? __________________ PROJECT HEAVY CHEVY Camaro Now: Mods for the Masses Part I \| Part II 13.15@106 1.95 \| 100% Stock 12.37@112 1.85 \| + Kooks Headers/Cats + 20" 555R + CAI + BW TB + UDP + Tune 12.06@113 1.70 \| + CD 3200 + 18" NT05R + RCR Intake + NE OTR + GPI Tune 11.84@115 1.59 \| + 3.91s + Race Star 17x7 Fronts 10.90@125 1.47 \| + GPI VVT Cam + BW Ported Heads + CD 3800

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