Hi, I have had my mini cooped up for the winter and I know its time for a new battery from trouble it was having last year. Its an R53 and the battery box the battery normally sits in got raised up a good 5 inches from previous owner putting a stupid straight pipe exhaust so now the battery sticks off the floor a good 5 inches. Besides fixing the box with welding which I dont have access to easily. Are there any batteries that are skinnier then regular car batteries. I thought I found a link to one on here a few years back but no luck finding it. This way I can hopefully use that space more safely.

Thanks

 

Best choice seems to be Odyssey or Braille:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t-battery.html

Back on my old '86 Saab 900 I did a battery relocate and used an Odyssey PC925 and it performed flawlessly. However, batteries of this type don't like sitting for long periods and benefit from a trickle charger when not in weekly use.

 

hmmmm, thanks Ill look into it, dont know if it be a good idea for the use of my Mini as sometimes it sits for a while. I dont use it in the winter but almost all week so it would probably be fine and then Ill just bring it inside on a charger for the winter or put in my other vehicle if I can make it work.

Edit: the PC680 is now $122 on amazon, times have changed back in 2005 in that thread the battery was around $60 I guess lol. But $122 isnt really more then a normal car battery.

 

If I go with pc925 did that work well in the winter? or did it get used then? just wondering as I may start using my old mini in the winter months.

 

A PC925 is probably going to be too tall to use in your shortened battery box. The PC680 can be turned on its side which is going to help your situation. Keep in mind that Odyssey states that their batteries will hold a charge for up to 2 years if disconnected. FWIW, I've been using a PCM680 in TRACKRAT for years and it's never let me down and saves 15 lb. over a stock battery.

 

Thanks I was just debating on that smaller one just because its smaller and going to be less capacity, I havent done this kind of mod before so its nice to get some more recent insight on it.
You're are right though the pc680 should work on its side unlike the 925. So i think i will go that route and lay it on its side hopefully after 3 years get my trunk back!

 

I haven’t had good luck with two PC925’s on my Porsche. Odyssey said it’s undersized for the car and wont warranty a two month old battery. If the capacity doesn’t match they will not warranty.

Antigravity seems to be welll respected.

 

See I just dont want to spend the same amount on a battery that isnt going to last when i can just get a regular sized battery for the same cost. and then maybe one day ill lower the box if i find someone who can weld up a new box.

 

NC I am totally inspired by this battery kit setup, sorry to highjack the thread but I need to ask a couple questions about it.

I am thinking about it for a Daily Driver that get spirited driving, is the battery enough as long as I drive it ever few days?

Why did you not get the one with the cut off switch, I dont need the external switch but the internal might be nice if I decide not to use it for a long period, Would it not fit ok?

I looked the kit up it looks like I need to order the "T" model of the batter to get the one that comes with the Male terminals is that correct?

 

The pc680 should fit laying flat but still cant decide if I should just go with a normal sized battery and figure out how to re lower the box one day, because it is a daily driver.

 

I'm sure there's a local fabrication shop that can weld a box under there for you.

 

LOL! I see I'm not the only one that hates the battery box delete. Cargo space is already a premium without the battery in the way. How difficult would it be to reverse the battery box delete? I would think a visit to the salvage yard should do it. Might not even need to weld if you leave enough lip.