MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Jared on May 3, 2024, 10:47

Title: LifePO battery or lead
Post by: Jared on May 3, 2024, 10:47
Hi all, been trying to get more info on lithium batteries but it's hard to get info on which size (power more than dimensions) is best for the mr2.
I like the idea of less weight and found a few that are getting better price wise.
Not doing a track stuff just fun daily driver but as need it to get back and forth to work don't want any starting issues or need to put it on trickle charge things like that.
Any ideas / suggestions guys.
Title: Re: LifePO battery or lead
Post by: Petrus on May 3, 2024, 11:27
a creative search should bring up quite a bit Jared.

My 7 y.o. mini lifepo is still doing great btw. 
Well, it wás, I hope will be  :-*   Disconnected it three weeks ago and fingers crossed it will start the engine in about a week.
If it gives up, will buy the same or equivalent again.
Title: Re: LifePO battery or lead
Post by: jvanzyl on May 3, 2024, 13:13
I ordered this back in Dec 2021.
https://jackwebbmotorsport.co.uk/JWM-PS-12-LiFePO4-BATTERY-BUNDLE-p250876921

No issues what so ever, I used the car as a daily commute all fine. When left for a while it will go flat, but then it's fully charged in what appears to be less than an hour using the charger.

In terms of weight reduction/cost there is unlikely to be anything else on the car that comes close.
Title: Re: LifePO battery or lead
Post by: Petrus on May 3, 2024, 13:17
Quote from: jvanzyl on May  3, 2024, 13:13In terms of weight reduction/cost there is unlikely to be anything else on the car that comes close.

agree
Title: Re: LifePO battery or lead
Post by: steveash on May 3, 2024, 13:44
I have one of these: https://www.tayna.co.uk/motorcycle-batteries/exide/eltx20h-bs/ (https://www.tayna.co.uk/motorcycle-batteries/exide/eltx20h-bs/)

Used it for a couple of years without problems. I have aircon but no stereo and I use a battery isolator if I'm not using the car for more than a couple of days after the alarm drain killed off 3 lead-acid batteries. I bought a Ctek lithium charger for topping up over the winter as the standard type can apparently cause problems.

The battery is so much smaller that I had to buy a new clamp with shorter rods to hold it in.
Title: Re: LifePO battery or lead
Post by: Jared on May 3, 2024, 15:10
Both good options and they state the cca's which not many do.
Was looking to see if I could get a tidy one for around £100 to £120.
I see a few called eco-worthy that look OK but not sure if they are good enough for the job.
Title: Re: LifePO battery or lead
Post by: Alex Knight on May 3, 2024, 20:53
Ever since a Marshall at Blyton park told me an entire fire engine could not extinguish a Lithium battery that caught on fire, I'm not ready to risk my car for a few KGs, especially on the road. I doubt even Senna would tell the difference in a comparatively lardy road car.