Race batteries? optima? odyssey? sears?

I finally got to the 1/8 miles track last nigh, made one run and the battery died out soon after that. My first run was a mind numbing 8.77 at 63 mph[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_spin.gif[/img] cut a 1.9 60ft then I was just making sure it drove straight[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] Pulled to the pits to check stuff out and lower the tire pressue. When to recrank and nothing, charged it, it started, then wouldn't re-start in the staging lanes. Had to get jumped, then some jackas5 car dumped dirt down the track so instead of shuting the car off and me not re-starting again, the techs let me limp down the side of the track back to the pits.

What battery does everyone run? Anybody using a race type battery? I think the ability to fully recharge a race battery in 1 hour and make several accidental full drains without killing it would be great.

I tried everything out there including 2 deep-cycle 27F's. I run a single Optima now... never fails
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Ya, I'm looking real hard at the optima's. Thinking on getting the tellow top 4 post D34/78, but I was wondering if there is any benefit/harm to using a deep cyce?

Would a deep cycle be a bad/wrong choice? Whats the difference...only the reserve time? Looks like they only sell only the deep cycles to honda's, toyota's, Acura's in the JEG'S catalog.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: fogged408w on 9/21/03 1:44am ]</font>

A deep-cycle can take abuses &amp; discharges somewhat better &amp; is easier on something driven recreationally as opposed to everyday. I got a steal on a red top but mysely, I prefer the deep-cycle.
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I'll put a vote in for the Stinger SP1000 battery. They're made for rough abuse such as high current car audio and such. I've got a couple of them and they are truely awesome. They're smaller than an Optima but they are rated the same and certainly last longer from my experience. I've tried a lot of batteries on my Galaxie and I'm happiest with the Stingers. If you're not wanting to spend a lot of money see if you can find someplace that sells Interstate batteries. Most of them also carry Optimas and you can occasionally get awesome deals on reconditioned ones straight off the truck. A good friend of mine uses them a lot out at his starter/alternator shop and if I remember right I think he pays around 70 bucks a piece for the red tops.
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[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]for racing the exide orbital is also a good choice.
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I run an Odysey battery in my racecar and feel they are the best out there. I have owned 2 of them. The first one is 8 years old and the guy I sold it to still uses it every weekend without any problems.
One thing you might want to also consider, is putting an alternator on the car. I run one, and frankly, I wont run without it. And if you are worried about it slowing you down, my car is slightly quicker with the alternator hooked up than it is without it. The more electrical load you put on the battery, the more important that alternator becomes.

Thanks guys, I just ordered a yellow top optima deep cycle.

Kid V: I have a 160 amp alt on the car, I'm guessing my other battery just wont charge fast enough or hold a charge that long anymore, it was a old small 4 banger stang battery anyway....not that great to start with.

Your battery must have been bad due to age or [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img].

My alternator only puts out 75 amps at max output, and it does a fine job keeping up. I do charge my battery about every 5 or 6 passes, but I also have a bunch of electrical items to run; big electric fuel pump (Holley 350), 2 electric fans (one 14" on the radiator and a 10" on the trans cooler), one electric fan in the car to blow air on the driver, MSD 7AL2 box, electric water pump drive, delay box, lights, tach etc.

I am running an SLA type Odyssey PC680. It is very small and lightweight. I was concerned that it might not have enough power, but there is no problems there. The only thing is the chargning system must be good, and you have to remember that it doesn't have much reserve time on it, but it has no problems cranking my Cleveland engine time after time. And you can mount these SLA batteries in any orientation. From what I have read about them though it is best to keep them out of the engine bay, away from high heat in order to prolong the battery life.