On the subject of batteries, my Banner "Starting Bull" 12v 30ah battery has decided to give up the ghost, after 5/6 years and was wondering what recommendations you would have for a replacement. My 7 is a Super 7 K series 1600.
Would welcome your suggestions and recommendation, and any website to buy from.
Hi Jonathan - thanks for your prompt reply, my 7 battery is isolated, discounted and yes for long periods , but this is the first time , battery was charged before and started, this time battery charged and it didn't start, as it just died when turned the ignition over.
I've got a cheap-ish Li Ion in my car. My master swich is a Brise relay and if I forget it on, the car won't start. Otherwise it turns so fast that I was almost scared first time I tried.
It's correct that the capacity isn't huge, but as long as your alternator is up for the job it's not a problem.
My car is maninly used on track, but when it's on the road the lights are always on (Legal requirement here). I rarely use the heated windscreen/wipers as the car has an aeroscreen but on the other hand the alternator is smaller than standard so I would think you'd be OK. Of course when the alternator fails (not if, they do!) then you are worse off with a 6Ah battery than with a 30Ah though they have the same cranking capability.
He provides 2 option suggestions, a 7.5Ah battery for lower powered cars and a 10Ah one for high end Duratecs.
This weigh in at 1.2Kg and 1.5KG respectively.
In summary:
Varley - 1.1 kg 5Ah
Magenti - 2kg 32Ah
DF option 1: 1.2kg 7.5Ah
DF option 2: 1.5kg 10Ah
What I am looking for is the lightest battery that will work for track days and the odd weekend away blatting, which will start a max of 5 times a day. A few cranks to warm things up (or the headlights on for a few secodns first) doesnt bother me.
I just don't know now if the 5Ah Varley is too low a capacity?
What I am looking for is the lightest battery that will work for track days and the odd weekend away blatting, which will start a max of 5 times a day.
Will the battery live on a charger when the 7 isn't being used? Is the current drain low when it isn't being used and not on the charger? Does the 7 start well?
If all of those are the case the energy storage might not be too important...
Dear All
Happy New year to All
On the subject of batteries, my Banner "Starting Bull" 12v 30ah battery has decided to give up the ghost, after 5/6 years and was wondering what recommendations you would have for a replacement. My 7 is a Super 7 K series 1600.
Would welcome your suggestions and recommendation, and any website to buy from.
Thank you
SAJC (Simon)
Have you already decided that you definitely want a lithium battery?
How is the 7 stored: on a charger, immobilised, battery isolated, long periods? See discussion of energy capacity above.
Everything from the archives.
Happy New Year
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan - thanks for your prompt reply, my 7 battery is isolated, discounted and yes for long periods , but this is the first time , battery was charged before and started, this time battery charged and it didn't start, as it just died when turned the ignition over.
Simon
I wouldn't be optimistic but is it the sort that can be topped-up, and do you have a multimeter?
And if it is shot... Have you already decided that you definitely want a lithium battery? I've just updated my recommendation for non-lithium types.
Jonathan
I've got a cheap-ish Li Ion in my car. My master swich is a Brise relay and if I forget it on, the car won't start. Otherwise it turns so fast that I was almost scared first time I tried.
Could be this https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Lithium-Ion-Motorcycle-Battery-for-KTM-Rc8-R-2009-and-Onwards-LIPO14B/1260147138?iid=122210984733&_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D49138%26meid%3Dbefd0220500f4d0185fde8663909706e%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D172442365296&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
It's correct that the capacity isn't huge, but as long as your alternator is up for the job it's not a problem.
My car is maninly used on track, but when it's on the road the lights are always on (Legal requirement here). I rarely use the heated windscreen/wipers as the car has an aeroscreen but on the other hand the alternator is smaller than standard so I would think you'd be OK. Of course when the alternator fails (not if, they do!) then you are worse off with a 6Ah battery than with a 30Ah though they have the same cranking capability.
Blatchat Google Search
But the Varley Li5 Simon Rogers recommends on his Meteor Motorsport site is apparently suitable for Caterhams running Duratecs.
The 3rd dimension here is weight.
Daniel French i: http://www.caterhamr500.co.uk/2016/11/15kg-10ah-lifepo4-battery-inc-carbon.html
He provides 2 option suggestions, a 7.5Ah battery for lower powered cars and a 10Ah one for high end Duratecs.
This weigh in at 1.2Kg and 1.5KG respectively.
In summary:
Varley - 1.1 kg 5Ah
Magenti - 2kg 32Ah
DF option 1: 1.2kg 7.5Ah
DF option 2: 1.5kg 10Ah
What I am looking for is the lightest battery that will work for track days and the odd weekend away blatting, which will start a max of 5 times a day. A few cranks to warm things up (or the headlights on for a few secodns first) doesnt bother me.
I just don't know now if the 5Ah Varley is too low a capacity?
If the Varley Li5 can start my Busa as it does then it can start a Duratec.
My Busa is very high compression.
What I am looking for is the lightest battery that will work for track days and the odd weekend away blatting, which will start a max of 5 times a day.
Will the battery live on a charger when the 7 isn't being used? Is the current drain low when it isn't being used and not on the charger? Does the 7 start well?
If all of those are the case the energy storage might not be too important...
Jonathan
The Li5 lives on a small 2A trickle charger built for the sole purpose of keeping a lithium topped up.
It will not over charge. And only charges when the battery requires it.
Thanks Simon, I’ll buy one from you before the track day season starts...