lightweight dry cell batteries

Lewis Ledyard · 11-01-2002, 06:25 AM

Are there any drawbacks to using a lightweight dry cell battery? I think that Elephant has them and they are 15 lbs. Seems like a good way to shed some weight. My intention would be to use it in a street driven 1988 cab with a/c.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Lew

JonT · 11-01-2002, 06:38 AM

Seems like a no brainer--I would like to know downsides too. Thanks

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

If you are looking for a good explanation of the pros/cons of this type of battery, check out http://www.stealth316.com/2-dynabatt.htm . Although the writer's intention is to expose the Dyna-Batt, it provides a good overview.

I would also recommend that you shop around if you decide on the Odyssey PC680MJ. Battery Mart has it for 41.00 less than Elephant.

Chuck Moreland · 07:32 AM

I thought it a no-brainer too. That is why started carrying them.

The downside - as with any battery, smaller sizes have less reserve capacity than do large sizes. But dry cells are capable of producing 2x to 3x the amperage of similar size lead-acid batteries, so you can get away with a lighter battery.

I use the 15.7 lbs job daily and it peforms fine. However I live in California, not Alaska. If I was daily drivng in a cold environment winter, I'd definitely step up one or two sizes on the battery.

The battery sold by batterymart is not the same model listed on my web site. The one I promote is a heavy duty metal jacketed one. Theirs is a plastic case model.

Apparently the cells inside the battery are installed under significant internal pressure. The plastic case ones are more inclined to break from impact and are not recommended for warm environments such as under automotive hoods, the manufacturer doesn't recommend them for auto applications for that reason - granted 911s don't have the batteries in the engine compartment.

I'm a specialist focused on Porsches, I choose to promote the battery models best suited to the application. Although I can provide the plastic case models as well, I felt the metal jacket was the right choice for most of my customers.

Lewis Ledyard · 11-01-2002, 07:32 AM

Even if there was a small price difference for the same battery, I would be happy to pay it as consideration for the vetting done by a specialist.

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

If you carefully read my post, you will see that I was referring to the Odyssey PC680MJ. MJ=Metal Jacket. To be clear, the PC680MJ is listed on the Elephant site for $137, the Battery Mart site for $95.95. That's the $41 difference I was mentioning.

If you want the plastic case, its only $85.95.

Chuck Moreland · 11-01-2002, 08:12 AM

Paul, fair enough. I assumed you meant the plastic one since they promote it heavily.

Again I'm a low volume specialist and can't match that price.

However, if you wan't to chat about which one is the best choice to put in the smuggler's box of your '71 911, best way to fab a tie down strap for stock battery box of your '82, how to convert your '73 to a single battery, etc, etc..... call me.

Try getting that from battery mart.