Let's revisit this battery issue please - LotusTalk

rudaire · 10-10-2008, 11:17 AM

I've read all the posts with battery in the title, and I still have no solution to my particular problem.

My the criteria my lotus battery HAS to meet follow.
1. It has to hold a charge for 2 weeks minimum, 3 weeks would be ideal.
2. It has to hold this charge without the aid of a battery tender, as I have no access to power where I park.
3. It has to not leak acid all over my trunk
4. It has to last at least 2 years without replacement.

I care much less about weight now that I've spent a year with an odessey pc 625 that absolutely will not hold a charge for 2 weeks, and struggles to hold one for 10 days. Actually, it won't hold one at all right now. It's exactly 1 year old, and won't start the car at all after this last 14 day period between drivings. This most recent drain has sent it to the graveyard( won't hold a charge at all, won't start car after charging..), and I even made sure not to set the alarm, so as not to use the motion detector that would create extra drain..

Anyway, has anyone used this battery that is wildly popular for miatas?
Westco Miata Battery

There is apparantly a duralast equivalent at autozone, the 8AMU1R which has an 8 year warranty and is $84.99.. Both batteries are reportedly identical, and use an absorbed glass matt technology, that isn't really a dry cell battery, but does prevent spillage into the trunk. Don't forget miatas mount their battery in the trunk also.. I just went to autozone to pick up one of these batterys, and the 8amu1r they had clearly was not the battery I've seen pictures of. It looked nothing similar, and had a sticker ont he side that said 5/06. Maybe they've changed the battery in the last 2.5 years I expect. So I didn't buy it..

But I ask, has anyone just tried hooking up a hose to the vent tubes on the stock battery and running them into the engine compartment or the wheel well or something to get the acid out of the trunk? That is really all i care about, (well that and that the darn car will start after I let it sit for a couple of weeks........)but the batteries have a wierd square port that round hoses aren't going to want to attach to....

I'm really really frustrated at this point.. And I don't want another dry cell battery. I thought about stepping up to the odyssey 925, but I had this exact problem with a FULL SIZE optima red top that i used in my supra that was replaced by the lotus. Let the car sit for 3 weeks a couple of times, drain the battery a couple of times, and it's toast. The supra optima did last for 2 years, but the wet cell before the optima lasted 6.

Does this absorbed glass technology really work? Or should I just try to run hoses to the vent on the stock battery to keep the acid off my top and luggage..??

dave

Mr. Know · 10-10-2008, 11:23 AM

You need to treat the car as though you are putting it in long-term storage. You are going to continue to have the problem unless you get a battery cut-off switch. Basically, the cheapest route would be to pick one up at Autozone or such and it breaks the connection (I think it goes on the ground...but check mfgr's instructions) and lets you quickly disconnect the battery when you know you are going to leave it for a long time. RVs have the same thing in the form of an easy access switch.

You won't be able to set the alarm, so take that into consideration. You'll also lose your radio presets (more than likely), so another thing to take into consideration. However, from the sound of it...those are already occurring.

Something like this: Battery Quick disconnect Great with Optima Batteries [BRU16] - $6.00 : Batteries Are Us

TheViper · 10-10-2008, 11:44 AM

Here is ALL the info, Consider the Optima Red top 35.

rudaire · 10-10-2008, 11:52 AM

i just discovered the odyssey batteries are the same AGM technology as the westco or duralast miata battery..I can live without the radio presets, so i'll try to install the battery cut off switch. Also, i've learned there are very specific charger requirements for these batteries, as far as amperage and voltage range. I'm going to test my charger right now to see if it is in spec..

thanks
dave

rudaire · 10-10-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Know

Something like this: Battery Quick disconnect Great with Optima Batteries [BRU16] - $6.00 : Batteries Are Us

does anyone know of such a product that is available for the small terminals on the odyssey?

thanks
dave

tvacc · 10-10-2008, 12:31 PM

Get an Odyssey 925. It has the 10mm terminals. Works great. Meets all your criteria. YOu will have to fashion up a bracket to make it stay put.

We have them in my car.....and 4 of our LOONYs.

There is NO other battery to use other than the Odyssey. I know what I am talking about.

Tony V

Edit...you can buy them on EBAy. I get mine from Odyssey marine batteries boat jetski

I have one on backorder with them....should be in about a month. But...you can find them on EBay.

shay2nak · 10-10-2008, 12:34 PM

voltphreaks 6lb battery

TheViper · 10-10-2008, 12:39 PM

Look, it real simple, you are looking for maximum capacity, which IS "amp hour" capacity, hope this helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudaire

does anyone know of such a product that is available for the small terminals on the odyssey?

thanks
dave

tvacc · 10-10-2008, 12:48 PM

By the way..my car sits for 2 weeks sometimes.....not often but it does.

Car always starts up.

I can leave my Odyssey disconnected all winter...no charger. Connect it up and the car starts.

They are amazing.

Tony V

TheViper · 10-10-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvacc

I can leave my Odyssey disconnected all winter...no charger. Connect it up and the car starts.

Can you confirm that you leave it connected to the Elise ALL winter and it starts the engine up, because simple electrical calculations prove otherwise?

jim-clayton · 10-10-2008, 01:23 PM

I like the Odyssey but I keep it plugged in. I also have the "special" Odyssey charger.

My Escalade barely starts after sitting for 1 week and it has a big Interstate battery.

Mr. Know · 10-10-2008, 01:28 PM

Problem is, he stated he can't leave it on a tender.

No connected battery will stay good for lots of extended periods with small amounts of driving in between. You must have a disconnect. TheViper is saying the same thing, sort of.

def · 10-10-2008, 01:52 PM

Remember, some will say "My car sits for 2 weeks and starts no problem". They may have thier alarm off. If you park your car with the alarm enabled, it drains battery much faster

Mr. Know · 10-10-2008, 02:02 PM

I've got an RV with 3 Lifeline 31T AGM Batteries which gives me oh...315 Amp Hrs. They will go dead if I don't disconnect them, just from a CO2 monitor draining them.

Chili Red · 10-10-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheViper

Can you confirm that you leave it connected to the Elise ALL winter and it starts the engine up, because simple electrical calculations prove otherwise?

My will start after sitting all winter with the battery connected. You do need to take into consideration that winter is only 2 days in Houston...

ZAMMY1 · 10-10-2008, 02:35 PM

no matter what battery you use, the problem is the drain on it while not in use.
as a poster said, the switch is the thing, it's the only thing.
good luck, sam

rob13572468 · 10-11-2008, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvacc

Get an Odyssey 925. It has the 10mm terminals. Works great. Meets all your criteria. YOu will have to fashion up a bracket to make it stay put.

We have them in my car.....and 4 of our LOONYs.

There is NO other battery to use other than the Odyssey. I know what I am talking about.

Tony V

Edit...you can buy them on EBAy. I get mine from Odyssey marine batteries boat jetski

I have one on backorder with them....should be in about a month. But...you can find them on EBay.

I disagree with your suggestion.. the odessey is fine but if he wants to start the car after 3 weeks he should use the 1200.. or the optima 35.. both are great batteries.

A battery drains because all batteries have an internal resistance that causes a small parasitic drain as well as the drain from the vehicle. If the battery is big enough you can leave your car for a month with the alarm on and not have any problem starting it up. The issue is one of storage capacity.

SO I would recommend this: get the bigger battery.. when you go to the track, switch it for the small odessey for your weight savings.

10-10-2008, 11:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
rudaire Pb Foot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 107	Let's revisit this battery issue please I've read all the posts with battery in the title, and I still have no solution to my particular problem. My the criteria my lotus battery HAS to meet follow. 1. It has to hold a charge for 2 weeks minimum, 3 weeks would be ideal. 2. It has to hold this charge without the aid of a battery tender, as I have no access to power where I park. 3. It has to not leak acid all over my trunk 4. It has to last at least 2 years without replacement. I care much less about weight now that I've spent a year with an odessey pc 625 that absolutely will not hold a charge for 2 weeks, and struggles to hold one for 10 days. Actually, it won't hold one at all right now. It's exactly 1 year old, and won't start the car at all after this last 14 day period between drivings. This most recent drain has sent it to the graveyard( won't hold a charge at all, won't start car after charging..), and I even made sure not to set the alarm, so as not to use the motion detector that would create extra drain.. Anyway, has anyone used this battery that is wildly popular for miatas? Westco Miata Battery There is apparantly a duralast equivalent at autozone, the 8AMU1R which has an 8 year warranty and is $84.99.. Both batteries are reportedly identical, and use an absorbed glass matt technology, that isn't really a dry cell battery, but does prevent spillage into the trunk. Don't forget miatas mount their battery in the trunk also.. I just went to autozone to pick up one of these batterys, and the 8amu1r they had clearly was not the battery I've seen pictures of. It looked nothing similar, and had a sticker ont he side that said 5/06. Maybe they've changed the battery in the last 2.5 years I expect. So I didn't buy it.. But I ask, has anyone just tried hooking up a hose to the vent tubes on the stock battery and running them into the engine compartment or the wheel well or something to get the acid out of the trunk? That is really all i care about, (well that and that the darn car will start after I let it sit for a couple of weeks........)but the batteries have a wierd square port that round hoses aren't going to want to attach to.... I'm really really frustrated at this point.. And I don't want another dry cell battery. I thought about stepping up to the odyssey 925, but I had this exact problem with a FULL SIZE optima red top that i used in my supra that was replaced by the lotus. Let the car sit for 3 weeks a couple of times, drain the battery a couple of times, and it's toast. The supra optima did last for 2 years, but the wet cell before the optima lasted 6. Does this absorbed glass technology really work? Or should I just try to run hoses to the vent on the stock battery to keep the acid off my top and luggage..?? dave __________________ "What now? Let me tell you what now..." 06 Audi S4 25Quattro car #100 of 250 06 Lotus Elise

10-10-2008, 11:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 2,156 Images: 5	You need to treat the car as though you are putting it in long-term storage. You are going to continue to have the problem unless you get a battery cut-off switch. Basically, the cheapest route would be to pick one up at Autozone or such and it breaks the connection (I think it goes on the ground...but check mfgr's instructions) and lets you quickly disconnect the battery when you know you are going to leave it for a long time. RVs have the same thing in the form of an easy access switch. You won't be able to set the alarm, so take that into consideration. You'll also lose your radio presets (more than likely), so another thing to take into consideration. However, from the sound of it...those are already occurring. Something like this: Battery Quick disconnect Great with Optima Batteries [BRU16] - $6.00 : Batteries Are Us __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S Last edited by Mr. Know : 10-10-2008 at 11:32 AM.

10-10-2008, 11:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
TheViper Ex-Brit Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 1,814	Here is ALL the info, Consider the Optima Red top 35. Attached Images __________________ A/C Improvement Modifications http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/e...ent-mod-59938/ 1) Insulate the cockpit from Solar (3M Crystalline Tint) & Convected (insulate sills) heat. 2) Replace evaporator thermostat with an upgraded electronic version to prevent freeze up. 3) Increase airflow into cockpit by removing both driver & passenger side footwell intake panels & blocking 2 outside air intakes in nose.

10-10-2008, 11:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
rudaire Pb Foot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 107	i just discovered the odyssey batteries are the same AGM technology as the westco or duralast miata battery..I can live without the radio presets, so i'll try to install the battery cut off switch. Also, i've learned there are very specific charger requirements for these batteries, as far as amperage and voltage range. I'm going to test my charger right now to see if it is in spec.. thanks dave __________________ "What now? Let me tell you what now..." 06 Audi S4 25Quattro car #100 of 250 06 Lotus Elise

10-10-2008, 12:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
tvacc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 1,761	Get an Odyssey 925. It has the 10mm terminals. Works great. Meets all your criteria. YOu will have to fashion up a bracket to make it stay put. We have them in my car.....and 4 of our LOONYs. There is NO other battery to use other than the Odyssey. I know what I am talking about. Tony V Edit...you can buy them on EBAy. I get mine from Odyssey marine batteries boat jetski I have one on backorder with them....should be in about a month. But...you can find them on EBay. __________________ Tony Vaccaro 2005 Ardent Red, Touring, Hardtop, Driving Lights, HIDs, Rear Window Shield. www.lotusowners.com LOONY (Lotus Owners of New York) and the Church of the Holy Lotus Supplier of the Polycarbonate Shield for Rear Window and Sachs Coil Over Suspension Drive Fast Take Chances Last edited by tvacc : 10-10-2008 at 12:46 PM.

10-10-2008, 12:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
shay2nak GGM ENFORCER Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 12,736	voltphreaks 6lb battery __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 GG EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEO CLIPS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

10-10-2008, 12:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
tvacc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 1,761	By the way..my car sits for 2 weeks sometimes.....not often but it does. Car always starts up. I can leave my Odyssey disconnected all winter...no charger. Connect it up and the car starts. They are amazing. Tony V __________________ Tony Vaccaro 2005 Ardent Red, Touring, Hardtop, Driving Lights, HIDs, Rear Window Shield. www.lotusowners.com LOONY (Lotus Owners of New York) and the Church of the Holy Lotus Supplier of the Polycarbonate Shield for Rear Window and Sachs Coil Over Suspension Drive Fast Take Chances

10-10-2008, 01:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
jim-clayton Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Lauderdale Florida Posts: 1,206	I like the Odyssey but I keep it plugged in. I also have the "special" Odyssey charger. My Escalade barely starts after sitting for 1 week and it has a big Interstate battery. __________________ 2005 Elise Storm Titanium Last edited by jim-clayton : 10-11-2008 at 06:56 AM.

10-10-2008, 01:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 2,156 Images: 5	Problem is, he stated he can't leave it on a tender. No connected battery will stay good for lots of extended periods with small amounts of driving in between. You must have a disconnect. TheViper is saying the same thing, sort of. __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S

10-10-2008, 01:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
def ...ault Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,102	Remember, some will say "My car sits for 2 weeks and starts no problem". They may have thier alarm off. If you park your car with the alarm enabled, it drains battery much faster __________________ //kevin - 05 Graphite Gray - Red Touring / LSS / Starshield / Stage 2 + more

10-10-2008, 02:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 2,156 Images: 5	I've got an RV with 3 Lifeline 31T AGM Batteries which gives me oh...315 Amp Hrs. They will go dead if I don't disconnect them, just from a CO2 monitor draining them. __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S

10-10-2008, 02:35 PM	#16 (permalink)
ZAMMY1 ZAMMY Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: washington, pa, (near PGH.) Posts: 1,210	no matter what battery you use, the problem is the drain on it while not in use. as a poster said, the switch is the thing, it's the only thing. good luck, sam __________________ Sam Mayberry, W3CYO/R, resident curmudgeon. aspen white '06 elise, now with hinged rear clam! nice! youtube: sam's jet turbine scooter

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