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Dry Cell Battery Group Buy

Nunga

By Nunga,
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Nunga Contributor

Nunga

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OK, I want to get a dry cell battery (due to relocation to boot to free up room in engine bay- I know you don't need to go dry cell if you box a wet cell, but I like the advantages of small size and less weight). The thing stopping me is the cost- they are very expensive here in Australia for the three brands I've researched; Odyssey, Buddy Club and Braille Auto. $260 was the cheapest and the cost went north very quickly from there ($400+).

The fact of the matter is it's very worthwhile now to purchase one from the US given the current exchange rate (96USc for AUD$1 or thereabouts). Typical cost savings are between $100 and $200 (give or take for freight).

I'm definitely going to buy a dry-cell battery for my Silvia, and it will almost definitely come from the States. I'm putting this up to give others an opportunity to express interest in purchasing one, too. It's up for discussion because people will have different needs- power, size, weight, cost, and other concerns. The only possible problem is getting a lot of batteries through customs. I'm currently in talks with a mate who works in customs to see if it is indeed cause for concern.

I haven't gone so far as getting even rough quotes for freight because if nobody shows an interest I don't need to worry about it for many, just my one. If there is interest, I can get rough quotes and potentially lower purchase prices as well.

Be that as it may I've come up with a shortlist of batteries I am considering to suit these priorities- decent PCA and CCA outputs, weight and cost (because I'm cheap).

The links have more detailed info on actual dimensions, PCA outputs, and amp hour (Ah) ratings but I'll list what I think is important.

Braille B14115 Battery

360CCA

11.5lbs/5.2kg

RRP USA- $150

RRP Aust- $335

Braille B2015 Battery

425CCA

15lbs/6.8kg

RRP USA- $160

RRP Aust- $379

Buddy Club RSB-25 Battery

All the information I could gather...

22Ah

600CCA (reportedly, I'm skeptical of this)

16lbs/7.2kg

76mm x 180mm x 167mm

RRP USA- $170

RRP Aust- $260

Odyssey PC925 Battery

380CCA

24lbs/10.9kg

RRP USA- $170 approx

RRP Aust- $329

Stinger Car Audio also do dry-cells but my interest was waning when I got to them.

The last issue is what legs we have to stand on if they fail or have problems. Warranty is something I'll have to look into. If it's a huge concern I can move the focus from the US and get as good a price as possible from an Australian dealer, but I can almost guarantee the savings will be very minimal.

So yeah. Currently my Silvia is off the road (literally) until I get my new jack, but I'd like to sort out this battery stuff while it's doing nothing. I'll let this run for a week or two and see if there are people interested.

By the way, the batteries I've listed should be sufficient to kick over an RB25-DET, but there is no massive audio- just a deck and splits, and an alarm with a few bells and whistles.

Cheers folks.

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https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/223189-dry-cell-battery-group-buy/
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Nunga Contributor

Nunga

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I rang up three separate places here in Oz and not one could give me a figure on the Buddy Club- an eBay seller told me 600CCa, but he does have a real store in Sydney I think? I'll start enquiring in the States tonight after Origin.

ShadowDrift Newbie

ShadowDrift

Posted
Posted

I would be interested in getting a battery too.

I just have a couple of question

1. Is it possible for you to order a Optima Yellow Top, and how much would it be?

2. Is the Odyssey PC1200 an option? How much would that be?

3. I haven't heard of Buddy Club RSB-25 Battery, how good is its life and is the cca really 600?

Thanks

djr81 Grand Master

djr81

Posted
Posted (edited)

http://www.tristatebattery.com/product_inf...products_id=982

I got a 365 CCA Deka. Works fine. It is an ETX30L. AFAIK Braille are rebadged Dekas.....

Caveat: Be a little bit careful when looking at cranking capacity for dry cell batteries. Some of them quote their output in different units which can be misleading.

Edited by djr81
Nunga Contributor

Nunga

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Update: Sorry for the lack of information going around, it's a struggle communicating with people on the other side of the globe.

At this stage I've got a pretty firm price on the Braille B14115- the top one listed in the first post. $US135 is the single price, and I am trying to negotiate a lower price still if more are bought. Shipping is $US85!!! But they did not clarify if that was a blanket shipping fee or shipping for just two batteries. If it's a total fee, obviously these batteries can be had very cheaply (like, $US150-$170 depending on how many people buy). That's about $AUD190 max for a battery weighing a tad over 5kg.

Djr81- how long have you had the Deka for? Obviously had no problems with it? WHat does it kick over, and how often is it used?

djr81 Grand Master

djr81

Posted
Posted
Update: Sorry for the lack of information going around, it's a struggle communicating with people on the other side of the globe.

At this stage I've got a pretty firm price on the Braille B14115- the top one listed in the first post. $US135 is the single price, and I am trying to negotiate a lower price still if more are bought. Shipping is $US85!!! But they did not clarify if that was a blanket shipping fee or shipping for just two batteries. If it's a total fee, obviously these batteries can be had very cheaply (like, $US150-$170 depending on how many people buy). That's about $AUD190 max for a battery weighing a tad over 5kg.

Djr81- how long have you had the Deka for? Obviously had no problems with it? WHat does it kick over, and how often is it used?

Had it for 12 months or so. It starts an RB26 with no problems at all. I only use my car periodically so it is not uncommon for it to sit for a length of time (fortnight, three weeks) and then be started. Battery copes fine. It has 26AH.

Just be careful comparing CCA's to cranking amps to pulse cranking amps to whatever other bullshit measures some manufacturers use. Also make sure you understand how many Amp hours the thing stores. Batteries are heavy because of their storage capacity.

cazman Enthusiast

cazman

Posted
Posted

this isnt that cheap (sorry to bombard) , i can do oz cell for about $200, and they are decent in amps at least (unlike all the ones you have listed)

600ccs

55ah (not some weak as piss 26 bs)

$200ish in SA, with warranty. My supplier has said min 5 years youll get

236 length

138 width

210 height

and yes there are other sizes.

Nunga Contributor

Nunga

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They're awesome specs, and $200 is more than reasonable given some of the prices I've been getting. Optima Yellowtops are around the $300 mark at best, best price for a Buddy Club RSB 25 is $230+p&h.

PM sent.

Nunga Contributor

Nunga

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I can get the small Buddy CLub $230 best price so far, pick up Brisbane. Postage about $15 I think. The problem I have with this is nobody can tell me all its specifications. I've had a few places tell me it'll kick over an RB25 no worries, and one say best to go to the RSB 30 (which is at best $310 pick up).

I honestly think the best value batteries are these Oz Cell jobbies- $150 for an 11kg battery is sensational. It's only 4kg heavier than the buddy club, but almost $100 less. $100 can be put to better use getting a tune as opposed to saving 3kg.

That's my opinion. Getting stuff from the US is difficult- I've had no luck trying to get any Braille battery suppliers.

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