Wez Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Hey All, Would a Varley Red Top 8 work on a MKIV :- Voltage=12 Capacity=7Ah Weight=2.7kgs Dimensions=138x86x101mm Terminals=M4 female Cranking current (20°C for 5secs)=200A. Or should I go a little bigger to the 15 :- Voltage=12 Capacity=14Ah Weight=5.0kgs Dimensions=200x77x140mm Terminals=M6 male Cranking current (20°C for 5secs)=400A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 The stock cranking ampage is quite low isn't it? I can't recall the exact figure but it's much less than 200A isn't it? Unless you're running some electronics with major current draw the stock alternator should be able to keep up with with ease provided it gets a good run when it's used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bignum Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 They both seem a bit small to me, it would never fire mine up on hot start, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 The stock cranking ampage is quite low isn't it? I can't recall the exact figure but it's much less than 200A isn't it? Unless you're running some electronics with major current draw the stock alternator should be able to keep up with with ease provided it gets a good run when it's used. I am sure I read in the battery FAQ that less than 200A is required, looks like the super small one should do the trick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruggs Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 i think mine is a varley red top 35 if that helps?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 i think mine is a varley red top 35 if that helps?? Cant see a 35 but here is the info the 30 :- Voltage=12 Capacity=26Ah Weight=9.0kgs Dimensions=250x97x156mm Terminals=M6 male Cranking current (20°C for 5secs)=685A. Its 6.3kg more than a Red Top 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruggs Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 maybe its a 30...i cant really remember. It sits in its holder so i cant see what version it is easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 maybe its a 30...i cant really remember. It sits in its holder so i cant see what version it is easily. Nice, they do nice ali holders for the 30, 40 and 60 models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruggs Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 ahh...maybe its a 30 then. I remember there being 3 seperate patterns to cut for the padding for the holder depending on which of the 3 batteries you have. so probably a 30 then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 I'd use a 40, but you may well get away with a 30. You know these things won't stand fast charging, so never let it get discharged, jump start and let the stock alternator ram a huge amount of amps into it!!! I can do good prices on Red Tops and have some in stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruggs Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 I got the trickle charger they sell at the time so I can keep it nice and topped up. Great little charger. Think I may have done that after speaking to you (CW) about the red tops. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 15, 2008 Author Share Posted July 15, 2008 I'd use a 40, but you may well get away with a 30. You know these things won't stand fast charging, so never let it get discharged, jump start and let the stock alternator ram a huge amount of amps into it!!! I can do good prices on Red Tops and have some in stock. Arent they a bit large Chris? Would the be happier if they are disconnected between use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 I use a 40 in both the Zeus race cars, the extra capacity would be very welcome on the Supra, but, as i said, you'd probably get away with a 30. If you have a battery master cut off switch just use that. The weight difference between a 40 and a 30 isn't that great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 15, 2008 Author Share Posted July 15, 2008 These Braille batteries look good :- http://www.brailleauto.com/ Braille B106C Carbon Fiber Sealed Battery Weight: 6 lb/2.8kg Volts: 12 AmpHr: 10 Cranking Amps: 527 L: 5.8" W: 3.3" H: 4.2" Uses: Ultimate in Lightweight Performance. Small displacement motors. Braille B14115C Carbon Fiber Sealed battery Weight: 11.5 lb/5.2kg Volts: 12 AmpHr: 15 Pulse Cranking Amps: 904 Exterior Size L:5.8" W:3.3"H:5.9" Uses: Sport Compact Vehicles Street Use Warm Climates; 4 & 6 cylinder Race Vehicles Braille B3121 Carbon Fiber Sealed battery Weight: 21 lb/9.5kg Volts: 12 AmpHr: 31 Pulse Cranking Amps: 1380 Exterior Size L: 6.6 " W: 5.2 " H: 6.8 " Uses: All Vehicles Street Use Warm Cold Climates; All Race Vehicles; CustomAudio; EV Application Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 POS, a good way to get a none starting engine Red Tops are aircraft certified, the buyers of the Braille ones need to be certified, (IMHO....) Seen 4 race car owners running round like headless chickens trying to cock up a battery that works with those things, IN THE LAST MONTH ALONE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 15, 2008 Author Share Posted July 15, 2008 POS, a good way to get a none starting engine Red Tops are aircraft certified, the buyers of the Braille ones need to be certified, (IMHO....) Seen 4 race car owners running round like headless chickens trying to cock up a battery that works with those things, IN THE LAST MONTH ALONE. you dont rate them then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolarbag Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 What about these Voltphreaks batteries Chris:D http://www.voltphreaks.com/ https://s.p10.hostingprod.com/@www.voltphreaks.com/ssl/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_5&products_id=55 Item Specifications Model Number VP550 Nominal voltage 12.8V Cranking Amps (CA) 550 amps Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) 300 amps reserve capacity (RC) 22 minutes Capacity 12Ah terminal type 5/16" gold plated ring working temperature -22°F to 140°F (max 185°F) dimensions 8.3x5x3 inches (not including terminals/flanges) weight 4.25 pounds It says US shipping only, but I contacted them and the delivery is only $40 A good few folk over in the beemer forum have been using these with full electrics and were impressed, pricey but I've spent more on carbon to lose the weight than what I would on this 1.92kg!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 15, 2008 Author Share Posted July 15, 2008 The Red Top 25 looks like a winner Voltage=12 Capacity=16Ah Weight=6.1kgs Dimensions=182x77x168mm Terminals=M6 female Cranking current (20°C for 5secs)=625A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kranz Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 I had a 30 for a little while. The alarm drained it after a few days. Get a battery master switch to ensure it lasts long enough between starts. Short journeys will soon make it a non-starter too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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