Bargain race battery £35.99

[lucifer666]

Was looking for a braille race battery. I know of a fabia vrs and polo gti who have one fitted and have given it good reviews.

It is 11.5lbs approx 5kg, so around a 15kg saving as I believe the standard battery is 20kg. Model is b14 115.

Although the main reason that I decided I needed one was the fact the current battery is in the front rather than in the boot which means my ITG inkake cant sit vertically via a 90deg pipe with the cold air feed going to the grille; it sits horizontally with the cold air feed sitting behind the headlight........apparently theres a pocket of cold air there, but its not ideal.

Anyway, these batteries are around $140 for the one I want so around £85.....not too bad but delivery from us is something like £20. Although when you find a uk distributor, the price is around £135 so the price is "upped".


After doing some digging, I found out that these race car batteries are just motorbike batteries re- branded with a more hefty price tag. The EXACT same battery is the "Big Crank ETX14-BS 51214" and these retail for £35, but are only available in the US.

But.........a Japanese manufacturer make batteries that are a direct swap for these called
YTX14-BS(they've just changed the first letter lol) and they sell via amazon for £35.99 inc delivery.

So if you are like me and refuse to pay for marketing or a big name.........heres the link.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0089CH446/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
Save yourself £100........to buy some oil maybe

 

[Jon Olds]

good stuff

 

[Ben-ibizaFR]

Nice !! Cheers mate ! Not had a look into the electrics but is it the same ams ect ?

 

[reece1591]

This work same as standard battery just lighter? Think my battery on its way out and this would be good replacment

 

[lucifer666]

No idea, its 12v and 15amperes per hour although stated as 12A per hour(the braille is 15) and this is exactly the same. Think its down to marketing. Dont know what the oem one is, but these have been used on our cars with success.

Downside would be the drain time of the battery when the engine is off, but if your anything like me I dont sit in the car with the electrics on when the engine is off. It was also pointed out that you shouldnt leave it longer than a week without driving it as but again if your anything like me, you give your car a decent drive at least once a week.

When its fitted, I will post a review up. For £35 you cant really go wrong.
PS. Nice to see another fr on the scene.

 

[lucifer666]

This work same as standard battery just lighter? Think my battery on its way out and this would be good replacment

Its not a direct replacement, it holds its charge less well than the oem and will drain quicker but thats traded off with the weight and size of it. Most older 1.4tsi cars with the battery in the engine cant fit an intake with a cold air feed to the grille because of the size of the battery. This battery is about half the size. And the weight saving is decent too.

 

[Jay1990]

Sweet.. Wonder how quick they deliver... Before my track day hmm...

You're sure they are the same? Nice find!

Jay

 

[reece1591]

No idea, its 12v and 15amperes per hour although stated as 12A per hour(the braille is 15) and this is exactly the same. Think its down to marketing. Dont know what the oem one is, but these have been used on our cars with success.

Downside would be the drain time of the battery when the engine is off, but if your anything like me I dont sit in the car with the electrics on when the engine is off. It was also pointed out that you shouldnt leave it longer than a week without driving it as but again if your anything like me, you give your car a decent drive at least once a week.

When its fitted, I will post a review up. For £35 you cant really go wrong.
PS. Nice to see another fr on the scene.

Drive my car every day and gets a good old blast every few days and never run things with engine off either so should be ok hmmmmm......may have to get myself one now lol more money spent on car that I have to convince the other half is worth it lol will wait for your review and go from there

 

[Hurdy]

I ran a lightweight race battery on my Polo GTI and that had every option including xenon s, satnav, climate etc and was completely okay. Like has already been said, just don't use too much juice without the engine running.

As long as the battery has decent crank amps it will run with no issues.

 

[lucifer666]

Jay, i ordered it last night and its predicted to arrive on tuesday, so its about a week. And they are chineese not japaneese as first stated(david brent moment lol)

 

[lucifer666]

Well its fitted and works a treat. Exactly how well in the long run only time will tell. Battery is 1/3 of original size.
To fit I had to remove old battery, cut off round connectors since the terminals on these batteries are square. Then replace with a motorbike connector. The plastic battery cover is 2 parts. The top bit is wire connections and the underneath is a bracket to fit a large battery. That bottom bit was detatched for better fitment. Pics will follow once installation is tidied up

 

[reece1591]

Can't wait to see how this looks and works

 

[lucifer666]

It doesn't struggle to turn the car over either. Just like normal

 

[Big-Pete]

pics?

 

[lucifer666]

Will get some up after its secured properly

 

[GMInsite]

Interested in this as want to turn my ibiza tdi into a track prepped car.

 

[lucifer666]

Well after 7 days its working a treat still. Havnt left the car for more than 48 hours yet so we will see how well it lasts over the week.

 

[GMInsite]

Did you relocate this to the boot?

 

[lucifer666]

I havnt so far as I didn't have wire long enough. I'm still not sure if there's any benefit. It's so small that there's ample space now in the front for the itg inkake to sit. Unless I need to mount something else there like an oil cooler then I will leave it up front.

 

[Big-Pete]

I havnt so far as I didn't have wire long enough. I'm still not sure if there's any benefit. It's so small that there's ample space now in the front for the itg inkake to sit. Unless I need to mount something else there like an oil cooler then I will leave it up front.

Would it benefit from a catch can for the oil?