The V8 Owners Forum -

Jusst wondering if anyone can recommend a decent battery for running an efi V8 (1UZFE), lightweight/compact preferably, and not silly expensive? What are you guys running? Thanks

chodjinn wrote:Jusst wondering if anyone can recommend a decent battery for running an efi V8 (1UZFE), lightweight/compact preferably, and not silly expensive? What are you guys running? Thanks

"lightweight/compact" (I assume reasonably powerful too) and not too expensive don't usually go hand in hand!

I love Optima batteries as they are very compact but cheap they aint.

I just get the largest one from my local motor factors that fits.

Chris.

Have just replaced the battery in my Westfield Seight with a Yuasa one for £45. Wanted it to be same dimension as the one being replaced, so went for one used in Minis rated at 390A. Started the car instantly.

what's the dimensions/model number of the optima/yuasa batteries mentioned?

Don't know the dimensions of the optima, but will be on the website. You can either use the 'red top' for huge cranking power or the yellow top for almost as huge power but deep cycle capability to prevent the battery getting shagged if its left for long periods or you have a lot of electrics to run with the engine off.

I had a rear mounted red top and another battery but will change to twin yellow tops at some point.

I think they can even be mounted on their sides etc as they don't have loose acid but a gelled acid in fibre glass matting to stop leakage.

I've just replaced the Bosch on my BMW - which lasted almost 12 years. With another Bosch. They are good value from Costco or even Halfords if you have a Halfords trade card.

Many years of experience of using lead acid as a portable power source says you don't want to run them low if possible as it shortens the life. Including deep cycle types.

If Optima really was as good as they claim, why such a poor warranty, and why don't the likes of Rolls Royce etc use them?

Again, my experience of spiral wound (Cyclone) cells wasn't brilliant. Unless you must have the spill proof feature.

DaveEFI wrote:If Optima really was as good as they claim, why such a poor warranty, and why don't the likes of Rolls Royce etc use them?

No need... it's just a standard car with no special requirements, just a very nice interior etc! The one place you'll find lots of Optimas are 4x4s, rally cars, power boats and big industrial equipment such as earth movers.

Their main advantage is their toughness and vibration resistance. But they also have a high power density.

So are you saying Range Rover etc fit them as standard? Or are you referring to competition/ hobby 4x4s which stand a good chance of being inverted?

My point is there's not really any point in paying a large premium for a feature not needed - on the average vehicle if it is rolled, any damage caused by a battery spill is likely to be the least of your worries.

DaveEFI wrote:So are you saying Range Rover etc fit them as standard? Or are you referring to competition/ hobby 4x4s which stand a good chance of being inverted?

My point is there's not really any point in paying a large premium for a feature not needed - on the average vehicle if it is rolled, any damage caused by a battery spill is likely to be the least of your worries.

Lol just competition/hobby 4x4s! Nearly all Landies these days are used to trawl the streets of London.

But it's not just being inverted (the extreme end of the scale), but vibrations - the latter being the reason I presume that they are used in construction vehicles. Always useful in an old vehicle (eg. the guy's MGB I presume?) with less than modern suspension

But regardless, I find they have a good power density for their size and they can be mounted on their side if needed for a tight space. Plus my red top (non deep cycle) has lasted 8 years even after being deep cycled quite a few times - mud in my alternator kept stopping it working.

I have an Optima DR51 Yellow Top Deep Cycle battery in my SD1. Good for a car that is sometimes not used for a while. It's relatively light and small - 11kg and 227mmH X 236mmL X 129mmW and can be mounted at any angle you like. With 450CCA it easily spins the V8 and of course it's maintenance free. It was approx twice the price of an ordinary run of the mill battery from a local motor store.