12V racing battery recommendations

Dragsinger · 08-09-2019, 12:41 PM

This is a subject on which I have experience and thoughts. With my super stocker and my bracket builds, 16 volts has been my choice for a few years.

However, I am softening with that stance and now think a conventional, lead-acid, or AGM 12 volt deep cycle is an overall excellent choice.

In my opinion, the latest, high tech batteries are not yet completely developed to be 100% dependable in the later rounds that come close together when charging time has been little to none..

The Camaro I am building today will have a 27 series, lead-acid, deep cycle battery. It will cost about $110.00, run the car all day, but carries the penalty of weighing 50 pounds. It is trunk mounted and in this situation, the weight is an advantage.

SSDiv6 · 08-09-2019, 01:02 PM

Lifeline Batteries. Their race batteries are made in the USA and built to MIL-SPEC since the company also builds aircraft commercial and military batteries.

https://lifelinebatteries.com/produc...ing-batteries/

mat H/SA · 08-09-2019, 10:06 PM

Been running odessey for the last 8 years never had any problem and they are not expensive

Larry Hill · 08-10-2019, 06:51 AM

I have used two 11.5 lbs Braille battery's for years in the six pack car with zero let downs. Once the starter acted a little slow, battery was ok just a loose cable. My alternator works. I have tested and could go three rounds without charging in between rounds. I did cool car with sprayer until temp was reached then turn off fan. I change them out every three years.

cyclonebfx · 08-10-2019, 11:54 AM

I used to run the optima batteries because they would last forever but they weigh a ton! Recently switched to the Odyssey batteries and have been really happy so far.

Paul Merolla · 08-15-2019, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

I have used two 11.5 lbs Braille battery's for years in the six pack car with zero let downs. Once the starter acted a little slow, battery was ok just a loose cable. My alternator works. I have tested and could go three rounds without charging in between rounds. I did cool car with sprayer until temp was reached then turn off fan. I change them out every three years.

Sounds like you and I have exactly the same battery experience, Larry. This is the 4th season on my two 11.5 lb Braille batteries. I even completely killed them once last year by leaving the water pump on for 5 hours...discovered this fact when they called us up for first round. Charged them for 15 minutes or so, the car started, and I still beat a few people to the lanes.

btrc · 08-16-2019, 10:43 AM

A few years ago my car wouldn't start for the semi finals at a race and I decided that this was not going to happen again.
Now between rounds I run the fan and water pump from the (2) deep cycle batteries in the trailer normally for the winch and jack. I run 4 ga cables to a switch box and then 4 way cable to a 4 pole plug. The 4 way socket in the car is wired in parallel to the normal wires.

cmracing · 08-16-2019, 08:52 PM

Made 13 passes Saturday with a single Group 31 in the trunk, 105amp GM alternator supplying the juice, never had my charger out. Doubt there are many cars using as much power as mine:

Dual stock GM F-Body fans, over 20 amps each.
Mezier electric water pump.
Weldon EFI fuel pump.
8 injectors, though they take very little.
4 coil packs (DIS waste fire setup, like a GN).
The last two hours ran the electric fan on the 2nd trans cooler, not sure what it draws.

The last 6 passes were made 15 minutes between each, only got to the trailer for fuel.

So....... Why mess with these little batteries you have to worry about charging when there are massive batteries out there that will never give you an issue?

Ed Carpenter · 08-25-2019, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Merolla

Sounds like you and I have exactly the same battery experience, Larry. This is the 4th season on my two 11.5 lb Braille batteries. I even completely killed them once last year by leaving the water pump on for 5 hours...discovered this fact when they called us up for first round. Charged them for 15 minutes or so, the car started, and I still beat a few people to the lanes.

Paul do u have to use their charger?

Paul Merolla · 08-26-2019, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Carpenter

Paul do u have to use their charger?

Nope. I use an el-cheapo Schumacher.

08-09-2019, 12:41 PM	#1
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: 12V racing battery recommendations This is a subject on which I have experience and thoughts. With my super stocker and my bracket builds, 16 volts has been my choice for a few years. However, I am softening with that stance and now think a conventional, lead-acid, or AGM 12 volt deep cycle is an overall excellent choice. In my opinion, the latest, high tech batteries are not yet completely developed to be 100% dependable in the later rounds that come close together when charging time has been little to none.. The Camaro I am building today will have a 27 series, lead-acid, deep cycle battery. It will cost about $110.00, run the car all day, but carries the penalty of weighing 50 pounds. It is trunk mounted and in this situation, the weight is an advantage. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

08-09-2019, 01:02 PM	#2
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,045 Likes: 712 Liked 1,604 Times in 583 Posts	Re: 12V racing battery recommendations Lifeline Batteries. Their race batteries are made in the USA and built to MIL-SPEC since the company also builds aircraft commercial and military batteries. https://lifelinebatteries.com/produc...ing-batteries/

08-09-2019, 10:06 PM	#3
mat H/SA Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Shefford,Qc Can Posts: 295 Likes: 10 Liked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Re: 12V racing battery recommendations Been running odessey for the last 8 years never had any problem and they are not expensive

08-10-2019, 06:51 AM	#4
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,662 Likes: 1,953 Liked 10,822 Times in 2,250 Posts	Re: 12V racing battery recommendations I have used two 11.5 lbs Braille battery's for years in the six pack car with zero let downs. Once the starter acted a little slow, battery was ok just a loose cable. My alternator works. I have tested and could go three rounds without charging in between rounds. I did cool car with sprayer until temp was reached then turn off fan. I change them out every three years. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

08-10-2019, 11:54 AM	#5
cyclonebfx Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 38 Likes: 9 Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Re: 12V racing battery recommendations I used to run the optima batteries because they would last forever but they weigh a ton! Recently switched to the Odyssey batteries and have been really happy so far. __________________ 5705 F/S 5706 D/SA

08-16-2019, 10:43 AM	#7
btrc Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 253 Likes: 286 Liked 84 Times in 42 Posts	Re: 12V racing battery recommendations A few years ago my car wouldn't start for the semi finals at a race and I decided that this was not going to happen again. Now between rounds I run the fan and water pump from the (2) deep cycle batteries in the trailer normally for the winch and jack. I run 4 ga cables to a switch box and then 4 way cable to a 4 pole plug. The 4 way socket in the car is wired in parallel to the normal wires. __________________ Bob Tilton 568 FS/H

08-16-2019, 08:52 PM	#8
cmracing Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 173 Likes: 113 Liked 62 Times in 29 Posts	Re: 12V racing battery recommendations Made 13 passes Saturday with a single Group 31 in the trunk, 105amp GM alternator supplying the juice, never had my charger out. Doubt there are many cars using as much power as mine: Dual stock GM F-Body fans, over 20 amps each. Mezier electric water pump. Weldon EFI fuel pump. 8 injectors, though they take very little. 4 coil packs (DIS waste fire setup, like a GN). The last two hours ran the electric fan on the 2nd trans cooler, not sure what it draws. The last 6 passes were made 15 minutes between each, only got to the trailer for fuel. So....... Why mess with these little batteries you have to worry about charging when there are massive batteries out there that will never give you an issue?