Anyone used Vertex batteries?

[Malcolm]

Just wondering, been having a look around online for a relatively lightweight battery, and came across these
http://www.batterydirect.co.nz/vertex_d ... attery.htm

Prices aren't too bad, although I do notice they've quoted cranking amps (CA) at 25 degrees, rather than cold cranking amps (CCA) which is at 0 degrees I think. I looks like the two models are comparable to the Odyssey PC545 and PC680, the PC680 being a common choice for a lightweight car battery
http://www.odysseybatteries.co.nz/tabid ... fault.aspx

With the Odyssey being $395 + freight, and the Vertex being $215, it looks worth the gamble for the lesser known brand, but I'd be keen to know if anyone has any experience with them

[Mr Ree]

Subscribed. I would love a lightweight battery too, so hopefully someone has some first hand knowledge of these.

[wde_bdy]

I bought two to fit in the sides of the tray of my Corolla ute, haven't used them yet though. A mate has recently fitted one in his race car but not had it long enough to judge.

Callum

[molex]

Bought one ~2 years ago. Has cranked over cars doing initial startup tuning like a CHAMP. Been run down and charged up many times, sits idle for months and still fires without issue. Overall, hugely impressed.

Thing is TINY too, tech inspectors can't even find the thing and it's in the engine bay (of a starlet!)

[solitaire]

can these be used in daily drivers without any legal issues? thought a lightweight battery in my levin (when i eventually get it on the road again) would be awesome - how do they handle a moderate amp and sub?

[Malcolm]

There's definitely no legal issues, provided you meet all normal battery rules. In terms of working with a stereo - I'd suggest you monitor your battery voltage for a while with your current set up and see what it does. If it never drops below ~14v in use, then the battery isn't doing a freakin thing. Really the battery only starts the car and then the alternator takes it from there.

The difference with a smaller battery is you have less capacity for running your stereo with the engine off, less current available to crank the engine when cold and if it's being a bastard and not starting, you'll get less cranking out of it before it dies. Also, if you have any devices drawing current when the car is off (stereo memory, alarm) then it will discharge more quickly.

molex - cheers for the feedback, that sounds very positive

[wde_bdy]

My twin battery setup will run one isolated just for that reason, especially since I have no lock barrels so flat battery means the doors won't open. Legal wise they are better than a normal battery, especially if you want to mount inside the car. Usual story, make sure it is secure, suitable wiring, terminals covered etc.

Callum

[cogent]

Any suggestions for a drycell to suit a rotary? I find my current random-brand one fitted by the PO is a bit lacking in oomph.

[DeeCee]

Basic stereo will run from alternator with battery capacity being used as required. No major issues with a reasonably simple system. If a more elaborate system is used, or if there is continual playing of the system while the engine is off, then there is the likelihood that the battery may discharge faster due to smaller capacity.

have observed a couple of lower capacity lightweight race batteries dying due to inactivity. If the car is a proper daily driver, then there would be no issue with the battery in daily use. But if the car is driven occasionally, then there are high chances that you'll get a flat battery.

I'm of the mind that there is enough current draw on the battery when the car is parked up to be an issue with smaller capacity batteries with elaborate car audio systems. I just haven't investigated a way to measure the minute current draw that a car and a large stereo system has on a battery.

[Zestripper]

Hey Malcolm I use one of these batteries in my Silvia, had it for a few years now. Seems to have a lot of grunt in it although I don't have anything in that car to really put a load on it. You're welcome to borrow it to have a play with if you like, It's just sitting in storage with the car. Would be interesting to see if it still has a charge after sitting a few months, it's not connected to the cars wiring at the moment but hasn't been connected to the maintenance charger either, and it's been run dead flat by the cars alarm a few times in the past so has had a rough life with little useage and excessive draining.

[Malcolm]

I got a response from the dude from Battery Direct. I asked about who the club pricing applies to, apparently being in the MR2 club is sufficient to get the discounted rate, not sure whether Toyspeed would count being an unofficial club but I'd guess it probably would.

Hi Malcolm, thank you for your enquiry.
Price and price difference. Yes you can purchase at the club price. The Vertex is manufactured in China and we tested it for one year before adopting it. The Odyssey PC680 if from the states and generally has a metal case made to military spec.
We test the V1220HD electronically and see it delivers better than 400A. There are now hundreds of them in the NZ market in circuit, rally and rods.

Ctek charger, any of the ctek chargers will be OK for both charging and maintaining but bear in mind a small capacity battery can only tolerate a certain amperage and if the charger has a high limit, it may alloy the battery to draw more than is good for it and cause overheating and therefore dryout. Best charger MXS5.0 (5 amp) @ $195.00 or XS3600 (3.6 amp) @ $154.99
V1220HD $215.00
Pricing includes GST.
If you would like to order a battery and charger, go to our secure order page http://www.batterydirect.co.nz/Submit%20paymant.htm
Kindest regards, John

I also asked about their Ctek chargers, hence the comments there (I've heard good things about them for AGM batteries). I wont be using the car as a daily driver so just chucking a charger on now and then when it's in the garage would probably be wise.

Kev - I would be pretty keen to borrow the battery sometime so that I can work out mounting etc for it. That would allow me to leave purchase of a battery until closer to when the car is ready to drive since they sometimes like to die from sitting around. I'll get in touch once I get round to that point

[Dunny]

No direct experience with Vertex but us a Gel battery in my race car. It's a larger one (26Ah) than I would like will look to down size when I need to purchase a replacement.

It's called Enersys (I'm pretty sure they make Odyssey) and made in the USA, was told it wasn't suitable for car application by Oddessy rep, thing is I have run it for 5 years now in my race car so extreme vibration etc and it still holds good voltage after sitting for months, I don't run an alternator and it cranks car (13.5:1 compression 4cyl) from cold and starts and runs car all day at a race meeting. Admittedly most of my gauges are mechanical.

Anyway that aside I use one of these chargers (4amp one), just whack it on after a race day, leave it for a couple of days or so and then that's it, good to go the next time out. I usually give it a top up the night before going out but it always flicks to the green float charge light straight away

http://www.aasolar.co.nz/PowerMaster%20Battery%20Chargers.html

It has done the business and at $90incl is much cheaper than CTEK or other similar named stuff.

That's my 2c anyway

I'd probably be looking at Vertex when I need a new battery, althought the brallie ones by forum sponsor look tempting. Could also look at yardley (sp?) out of UK but I think $$$ start getting up there

[solitaire]

Could we make a sticky based on this thread? Good info and I know I'll be referring back to it when the time comes...

[Dunny]

Forgot to mention I have battery disconnected while not in use between events, not that I have anything electrical outside of shift light for rev counter, tail lights/rain lights & wiper

[neo]

Got one of these in the racecar, never had any problems. ( I leave it on a trickle charger when its not in use).

Dude told me that they trialed them in his daily for 2 years prior to selling them to the public.

[nz_climber]

No experience with the Vertex Batteries, but here is a some information I have found while looking at similar batteries for my lotus 7.

Came across MotoBatt batteries, and will probably get a MBTX24U (350 CCA, 24AH), On trademe for $152 with 2 year warrenty

And found this review online of them compared to other bike batteries (only the 16U (260 CCA 16AH) and also includes the odyssey equivalent of the same size to see how they compare)

http://www.intruderalert.com/cafe/index.cfm?page=topic&topicID=157926

Its an interesting read

[kiwi4agze]

Any suggestions for a drycell to suit a rotary? I find my current random-brand one fitted by the PO is a bit lacking in oomph.

Sell the rotary buy a real engine?

My plane has 2 Gel batteries in it as emergency power, never have failed at all. I use a GEL batry in my wifes 206GTi 180, had a few cold start issues but nothing out of the normal.

I always buy leading brand batteries, they maybe not any better but I prefer peice of mind with a well known brand.. thats just me tho