I need new battery. What specs?

[Hendog]

Originally posted by Gunter

Is the replacement from Weissach ($159) the smaller 10.5" or the bigger "boat anchor"??
Please, ask what the weight differences are between the two, I need one pretty soon.
BTW: For anyone that needs to top up their battery, use DESTILLED water.

The guy on the phone made a comment "Oh, that big battery!" when I told him it was for a '87 911. I'll check and see what else is available when I go pick it up this week.

[disfin]

Any reason not to just replace with the average $50 battery that they sell everywhere? I'm going to replace mine in the near future, and assumed I'd buy one of those. I always put them in my cars and boat without ever having any problems.

[Gunter]

Henri:
I will not get another one of those monsters.
Why? It's the weight.
Think of this: Under the left fender sits the windshield washer bottle which holds 2 Gallons, the battery is also on the left weighing 38 lbs.
The A/C blower is on the left side.
And the driver is on the left.
Too much weight sitting over the left front tire.
I'll get the smaller 10.5" battery that Weissach sells next time I go to Vancouver unless I find a better one somewhere.

[Gunter]

Originally posted by disfin
Any reason not to just replace with the average $50 battery that they sell everywhere? I'm going to replace mine in the near future, and assumed I'd buy one of those. I always put them in my cars and boat without ever having any problems.

Acid-spilling is the big fear. Check the area under the battery and you may find some rust.

[Wil Ferch]

The big battery is more load to "top-off" while driving and can cause premature alternator problems. Ask Loren....honestly.

"Don't add water" = sealed is a no-no and not a proper definition of a sealed battery. It still vents and can leak acid, which leaks RIGHT OVER the front suspension pivots. Clever Germans. Even if it just normally vents, the fuse box ( for God's sake)..is RIGHT THERE...and we wonder about all the green corrosion and electrical gremlins we get.

Normal "non sealed" batteries either vent into the trunk compartment, or you need to route a hose from a nipple on the battery, to the outside. Not all "normal" batteries have the nipple.

Did anyone read my posted links? Pet peeve of mine......issues continue to be discussed that are answered in linked posts...but no one reads. Sorry for the rant...but it happens all the time. Cliffs note version....the hold-down holes in the front of the batery compartment show three different locations axially....alowing three different "lengths" of batteries. The huge 93/49 size....next down is the 91/48 size..plenty big.

-Wil

[Por_sha911]

Wil: I was told (not by Porsche) that the big Porsche battery is setup differently. If you look at it there is an extra layer above the standard size and channels going from one cell to the next. The bottom line is this battery has a way of channeling gases inside so that it doesn't vent outside. Is this weird science? (and for the record, I did read your links)

[Hendog]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch

Did anyone read my posted links? Pet peeve of mine......issues continue to be discussed that are answered in linked posts...but no one reads. Sorry for the rant...but it happens all the time.
-Wil

Yes Wil I also read your links. I value your opinion since I read much more than I post and have come to know who's posts are informative. Your help is appreciated. I may have missed something though while reading; sorry. Please don't let the "peeve" disuade you from being an educator.

[disfin]

+1 Wil, you have been a big help, your advice is appreciated.

[Wil Ferch]

Sorry.... I seem to be coming off as a prima donna..... I'll check that at the door next time !! Maybe not you guys, and not necessarilly with my posts alone....but "embedded" answers seem to be too much work for a lot of people to go through. Pity. Gets to you after a while.....

Back to the question. Joe...as to your point... that's interesting. I see what you mean but if you really think about it...any wet-cell ( normal) battery will accummulate off-gassing and needs to ultimately lead to the outside, otherwise pressure will build up. It may be a clever way to do a pre-collection of gasses....but at some point it vents or "breathes" to the outside.

- Wil

[scottb]

Originally posted by disfin
Any reason not to just replace with the average $50 battery that they sell everywhere? I'm going to replace mine in the near future, and assumed I'd buy one of those. I always put them in my cars and boat without ever having any problems.

I bought my battery at Costco, and paid about $50 for it. It's the same size and weight as the standard battery (more or less). I don't care about the extra weight as compared to an Optima or other similar battery.

I've had no problems with mine, and it has a very good warranty. For my purposes, it's been just fine. YMMV.

[Wil Ferch]

The only issues with a "normal" battery are possible acid spillage ( right over a major structural member..the front suspension pivot) , and off-gassing into the trunk compartment...leading to nearby electrical fuse corrosion issues, etc.

At the very least, these cheap batteries can be purchased ( if you look closely as to model) with a vent nipple..to which you can add a flex hose and lead it to the outside of the vehicle !

- Wil

[scottb]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
At the very least, these cheap batteries can be purchased ( if you look closely as to model) with a vent nipple..to which you can add a flex hose and lead it to the outside of the vehicle !

The Costco battery does have a vent nipple and I routed some plastic tubing to vent any gassing.

[Wil Ferch]

Ok then....

- Wil

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by scottb
I bought my battery at Costco, and paid about $50 for it. It's the same size and weight as the standard battery (more or less). I don't care about the extra weight as compared to an Optima or other similar battery.

Scott keep in mind that in the '80's Carreras the batteries were HUGE as opposed to what they put in the early 911's. My '86 still had the stock battery and it weighed in at 68lbs! I switched it out to the Optima red top several years ago. Also got rid of the stock windshield washer as my car has the optional "intensive" washer with the quart tank inside the trunk.

[scottb]

The Costco battery is pretty large, and it's heavy. I don't care. I don't track my car and the extra few pounds are completely irrelevant to me. I simply wanted a reliable battery that would start the car when asked to do so. The Costco battery does just that. I just don't have a reason to spend additional $$ on a smaller battery and new mounting system.

OTOH, if people are concerned about weight, then I agree that there are much better options out there.

[Hendog]

OK Gunter, here's the pics I promissed you. I tried to send them via PM but couldn't, so I'm adding here.

[Gunter]

Thanks Henri:
It fits nicely.
Check the area now and then, this type can spill under heavy breaking.
I had to do some serious cleaning, scraping and painting with Tremclad on, and around, the tray because the PO had some acid spill.
A pad is recommended to absorb any possible spill.
I found that the neg. connection to the body needed thorough cleaning.
Dielectric grease is good stuff for all connections.
Maybe we'll see you at the Porsche North in Salmon Arm?

[Hendog]

Good idea on the dielectric grease. My last battery didn't spill a drop, even when autoX. I'm a little bummed to hear this one can spill. Somehting else to watch out for now...

[afterburn 549]

I dont want to say this, my brain says dont, but my fingers ( their fault) want to know - why not a PC 680 ??? it is the most simple solution !!

[Early_S_Man]

Regarding the RC spec ... it is Reserve Capacity, in minutes.

http://www.battery-care.com/battery-types.htm

Some of the proposed solutions to a smaller battery are quite marginal in practical terms. Just so that the data will be in one place, here is an Odyssey datasheet:



A slightly more powerful battery than the Odyssey PC680 is contained in a Vector Manufacturing VEC012 portable power pack ... a 19 Ah AGM sealed battery ... for under $50 at Sams Club, Walmart, etc.

http://vectormfg.dev.mvisolutions.com/jump-starters.php

Black & Decker just bought Vector, and is repackaging in their black& orange color scheme ... so, be aware that there may be some closeout pricing on the Vector products as they get discontinued and replaced by Black & Decker labeled items in the 'new' colors!