Battery question

[Rxsep]

Thinking of changing my battery. Any suggestions on the best battery for an 84 targa? What do fellow pelican have?

[brasch]

I went with the odyssey 925, it fits in the smuggler box and reduced weight a lot

[Franks89-911]

I chose an Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) from Advance Auto Parts. H6 size, which I think is one step smaller than the H8 my '89 calls for. Advance has a 20% online discount, and you can order it online and pick up free in store, so I think I paid around $140 for it. It's been a great battery.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by Franks89-911

I chose an Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) from Advance Auto Parts. H6 size, which I think is one step smaller than the H8 my '89 calls for. Advance has a 20% online discount, and you can order it online and pick up free in store, so I think I paid around $140 for it. It's been a great battery.

I did the same 3 years ago and have seen no downside to the battery downsize -- the battery tray even has a pre-drilled/tapped hole for the h6 bracket position.

[Tremelune]

Why do you want to change your battery?

The fact that lead acid batteries can leak means they're not worth the cost savings to me...Lots of AGM and Lithium options out there. In terms of weight savings for a small battery, it's equivalent to a few gallons of gas, and it's in the front where you want it anyway.

In any car, if you don't start it below 0°F, you can cut the cold-cranking amps spec (and thus the size of the battery) in half without affecting the starting capability. You can do this again if you don't start the car below freezing. I wouldn't worry about brands too much—in the US, they're all made by the same 3-4 companies. I have an Odyssey PC925 and it starts my 3.6 with gusto, even below freezing.

Whatever battery you go with, put it on a tender if you don't drive it every few days. It'll last a lot longer, and good tenders are $25.

[JRSIII]

I think people tend to overthink this. A Duralast Gold or Die-Hard H6 will work fine. Volts are volts and amps are amps. The battery doesn't know or care that it's in a Porsche, and the car doesn't know what brand the power is coming from!

[Tremelune]

While they will work fine, there is a reason every classic car buying guide says "check for rust under the battery."

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by JRSIII

I think people tend to overthink this. A Duralast Gold or Die-Hard H6 will work fine. Volts are volts and amps are amps. The battery doesn't know or care that it's in a Porsche, and the car doesn't know what brand the power is coming from!

I agree, however whatever brand you use, don't select a flooded cell
battery, they are rust and corrosion creators. The modern AGM Absorbed Glass Mat batteries don't leak and you can even use them side ways or upside down! Plus they are not that much higher priced and last longer than flooded cell batteries.

[RDM]

Originally Posted by JRSIII

Volts are volts and amps are amps. The battery doesn't know or care that it's in a Porsche, and the car doesn't know what brand the power is coming from!

And a gallon of highly concentrated sulfuric acid sloshing loose is just... a really bad thing to have in a metal car that you want to preserve. Especially one that goes around corners, accelerates, and stops with some vigor. The steel doesn't care whether it's a Porsche or a Vega when the acid arrives.