Would this be bad to run with say and amp and sub? I currently have NAV in the MCS and am looking to add a small sub and amp, but this looks nice

 

I've been running with an SLA battery for 2+ years, and there are some compromises needed. For example, sitting in the parking lot playing the music (engine off) while the wife finishes-up some shopping can be problematic, if over 30 minutes. I hope I recall correctly... Not something I typically do, so no biggie for me...

 

Unfortunately, the Cooper's battery box is different: It won't just drop in and fit.

 

Why couldn;t the battery be wounted to the left side (rotate 90 degrees CCW from your install) and allow a straight through exhasut configuration still?

 

You might as well figure out the shape of what's to replace it on your own.

Matt

 

I've seen one install where someone basically put a very clean hole right through the battery box for the tubing to go straight through. The muffler would then need to be forward the box, and post tunnel, so not much room; at least for a well designed db-knocking style unit...

I contemplated leaving part of the box (the left or right side for the battery to reside), but from my calculations, with the mufflers I narrowed it down to, the battery would be quite near it. SLA batteries don't like heat, and I'm guessing the Braille is not different in that regard.

For me, with what I wanted to do (a straight system), complete removal of the box just made more sense. With what Eric is providing, I feel he did the right thing as most folks will not want to venture down this surgical road...

 

Personally, I am not cutting up anything, I just wonder why no vendor has made somethign that could mount that way.

 

Save yourself some bread on the battery, as found on the Grassroots Motorsports forums (where they're always looking for the cheapest ways to do everything!)... Braille refuses to answer whether or not their battery is simply a re-branded Deka PowerSports battery. The tests are included in this thread - you decide.

You can find the Deka ETX14 online for $53-60...

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

Also, note that someone else makes a pretty sweet battery box for the Deka/Braille battery that might work in a Cooper with a bit of modification...

http://www.momentummotorparts.com/store/batteries.asp

 

Very interesting. I just got off the phone with Deka about this battery and their relationship with Braille. I haven't gotten all the information yet--I'm waiting for a call back from one of the engineers. Their specs on the ETX14 are 270CCA versus 360CCA of the Braille. The rep that I talked to had no knowledge of private labeling for Braille, which of course doesn't mean that they don't make Braille batteries, just that he didn't know. As the Vortex thread stated, the case sure looks the same. I will continue to pursue this and see if there is a less expensive alternative. To be continued...

 

Props to Helix on the quick response! . Maybe I can buy a [Deka] battery and mounting hardware from you sooner than I thought!

 

oooooo that would be a great price

 

Just thought I would share... Excellent to see that you're pursuing this!

I know what the specs say - the test shows 398 CCA's on the Deka battery, though, and they've tested several of the Deka's.

An SLA battery is an SLA battery, though, pretty much...

Here's a link the the GRM discussion:

http://www.grmotorsports.com/board/v...ic.php?t=14110

I've heard SLA batteries have trouble tolerating temps above 100 degrees and discharge considerably faster when temps get high?

http://www.stealth316.com/2-dynabatt.htm

 

Okay, I have spoken to three different folks at Deka today, none of whom know about a relationship with Braille. They are going to send a rep to the shop on Wed., January 25th. We will compare load tests that day. If they are the same battery, we're psyched: the Dekas are considerably less money. But I'm not getting my hopes up until I see it: the factory specs on the EXT14 are a far cry from the Braille.

 

Right on, keep us posted.

 

Bump - tomorrow is the day?

 

Deka made the top 100 places to work list today.

 

Glad Helix is following up on this.

We all know Braille is a rebadged SOMETHING with a huge markup added. I'm surprised noone's figured it out by now.

 

no one has found the same case with the same electrical specs. With the Odissy, it was obvious, same size, same shape, same electrical capacities.... The Deka looks the same, but the specs (at least on paper) are different. I sure hope the Deka is the same, as I may need anotherone for a skunk works project that I may sometime get to, and saving the $ would be a very good thing!

Matt

 

No sign of Mr. Deka salesman yesterday as promised. I just left a message on his voicemail. Will update as soon as I get one.

 

Ya think he might'a been scared O th 'hood?

 

Yo, North Philly is clean and pure as the morning dew.











Now if you'll exuse me, I can get back to cleaning graffitti...

 

Maybe you have to lure him in with the promise of cheese steaks...

I went to Tony Luke's for lunch today. Definately worth the $3 toll.

--
Cheese

 

Are the Brailles back in stock yet?

 

On paper maybe - but the tests on VWVortex sure look the same...

 

The same as in the Deka matching the Braille specs, or vice versa (the Braille specs were over-rated)?

I bought the Braille, and altered my mounting set-up primarily because of the provided (impressive) specs. Look forward to getting to the bottom of this... Thanks for sharing.