So this weekend I went to start the car and the battery was a no go... I trickle charged it and still nothing. I guess it's time to replace it and wanted to get some opinions on what to replace it with. I use my car primarily on weekends and store it for a good portion of the winter. My requirements are as follows..

1. Lighter than stock by at least 20lbs...
2. Does not need trickle charger if left for 2-3 weeks...
3. Less than $500 in total including (if nessesary new battery tray and mount)


I am thinking of a Optima Red top or some sort of other dry cell battery. Also considering the Sharkwerks setup but don't know how well it will hold a charge without daily driving.

Any suggestions?

 

Autozone...#48. Perfect fit, lasts at least 2 yrs., 36 lbs. $70.00. That's what I have. It sits for 1 month, starts right up.

 

Your requirement about regularly standing for weeks and hold-a-charge is
unrealistic. The car has a small drain on the battery at all times, so repeated
long-term standing will be bad for any battery. The stock battery is not as
good as the Sears batteries or the Optima types, but my stock battery lasted
6 years because I used the Porsche battery maintainer that plugs into the
cigarette lighter.
Keep it charged and it lasts. Let it drain and it'll eventually stop holding a charge.

 

I have a 997 and use a custom tray offered by GMG and a Optima Yellow Top - both slighly less than your $500 threshold. Optima's are great - no acid venting and hold a charge for a long time.

 

Hey Alan,
Grab one of the OE Porsche maintainer and a small deka (jet ski) or braile (race car) battery. This is what we have been doing lately without any issues.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I just picked up a Interstate MTP-91. Seems a bit smaller and lighter than stock. I'll have to weigh both when I get home.

 

East-Penn Deka makes Braille, and is 1/2 the price.

 

There is a Deka Jet Ski battery that is ALMOST identical to the braile...but the battery tester will show slightly different CCA's.

For 54 bucks Ill replace the deka battery every year....

 

I think it depends on the model. More testing info:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2353060

Another inexpensive Deka rebadge choice:

http://www.bigcrank.com/bigcrank_batteries.php

 

Alan you didn't go wrong with the interstate that's what I put in ....weight on interstate is about 37 lbs and the weight on the stock is around 50....

plus a 80 month pro rated warranty I think that's not too bad.

 

Ha I got the interstate one also and put on the interstate maintainer at the same time...I just plug it in under the hood when I'm gone for a week or more...850CCA.

 

If it's smaller (different L and W) you may have trouble with the holddown clamp - better check the dimensions first to see if it fits.

 

It fits perfectly...

 

2nd if fits perfectly.

 

Put the battery in last night. I had to move the mounting bracket over one hole since this battery is one size smaller than OEM but it fit perfectly and shaved about 10-15 lbs as well. For the money you can't beat it. I paid $90+tax.....