Battery discussion

[NoGuru]

Just starting to think about replacing my battery next season and thought there are probably much better options then when our cars came out.

Lighter, more amps and volts, last longer, I mean the variables are endless. Does anyone have an idea on what "the best" per user of course battery is for them and why?

 

[NoGuru]

This one looks like a good option. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1RT58C/?tag=carcarecta-20

Is AGM what everyone is putting in there cars now?

 

[JohnDaviz]

Way to expensive and imho you don´t need 100Ah.

INTACT Premium-Power PP45MF 12V 45Ah 450A Autobatterie - Accu-24

INTACT Premium-Power PP45MF - Top-Marken Qualität zum fairen Preis - Große Auswahl an Starterbatterien für Ihren PKW - Jetzt kaufen auf ACCU-24.DE

accu-24.de

this is what germans use to save weight. But it is really small with 45Ah. I am running a 70Ah battery.

 

[NoGuru]

Thanks for the suggestion JohnDaviz.

I will have to find something in the US that has similar specs and do a comparison.

 

[ajm8127]

If you change the battery type I think you need to tell the car what you used (lead-acid or AGM) so it can select the correct charging algorithm. The capacity or amp hour rating is also important for the car to know.

 

[NoGuru]

I ended up getting this one https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brl-b10049

 

[RuskiRacer]

Why did you decide to overkill it on the battery that much?

 

[NoGuru]

Why did you decide to overkill it on the battery that much?

I have PR coils and when I am going Half mile runs, I didn't want the battery to weaken the draw and cause a misfire.
Plus I over kill everything.

 

[RuskiRacer]

Yeah but if you have a strong alternator that shouldn't really be a concern right? I guess I'm just not familiar with how much more current the prs need

 

[NoGuru]

Yeah but if you have a strong alternator that shouldn't really be a concern right? I guess I'm just not familiar with how much more current the prs need

For stock coils yes, but the PR's draw a lot more amps. I have replaced the brushes in the alternator last year but this is more of a, over kill it to try and ensure it's not an issue.
I recall seeing a video from Vehicular DIY were his low battery was causing misfires. He changed it and they disappeared after he was chasing the issue for months,

 

[RuskiRacer]

For stock coils yes, but the PR's draw a lot more amps. I have replaced the brushes in the alternator last year but this is more of a, over kill it to try and ensure it's not an issue.
I recall seeing a video from Vehicular DIY were his low battery was causing misfires. He changed it and they disappeared after he was chasing the issue for months,

Yeah having a strong battery is definitely a must for any bmw. Sounds like you'll be in good shape. That was always my concern with the prs and I never felt a need to move to an aftermarket coil because the eldors have always took whatever I've thrown at them

 

[Torgus]

You could always do the big 3, just a thought if you are really concerned. I have seen BMW ground cables go bad, had it happen in my X5 and E92. I replaced with 4 awg high quality car audio cable vs the standard bmw wire mesh grounding cable. That way it will last 'forever' correct plated terminals and some 'special' heat shrink tape etc. It is also a much better conductor than stock.

Personally before I spend $400 on a battery I would just replace the battery 3 times. If that makes sense. 3 healthy batteries replaced over the lifetime of the braille. Say it lasts 10 years. I would rather have 3 fresh batteries over 10 years then 1 battery over 10. Even if it is 'higher' quality at year 1, it will likely not be at years 7-10 compared to a new battery from the store at year 7. I would ask Braille if they will give you a degradation chart for the battery assuming X cycles a year and depth of discharge.

AGMs are nice, but NEVER discharge them far down. They don't recover like SLAs deep discharge or not.

I think the warranty on an autozone battery is better than Brailles' fwiw.

 

[NoGuru]

You could always do the big 3, just a thought if you are really concerned. I have seen BMW ground cables go bad, had it happen in my X5 and E92. I replaced with 4 awg high quality car audio cable vs the standard bmw wire mesh grounding cable. That way it will last 'forever' correct plated terminals and some 'special' heat shrink tape etc. It is also a much better conductor than stock.

Personally before I spend $400 on a battery I would just replace the battery 3 times. If that makes sense. 3 healthy batteries replaced over the lifetime of the braille. Say it lasts 10 years. I would rather have 3 fresh batteries over 10 years then 1 battery over 10. Even if it is 'higher' quality at year 1, it will likely not be at years 7-10 compared to a new battery from the store at year 7. I would ask Braille if they will give you a degradation chart for the battery assuming X cycles a year and depth of discharge.

AGMs are nice, but NEVER discharge them far down. They don't recover like SLAs deep discharge or not.

I think the warranty on an autozone battery is better than Brailles' fwiw.

If you get time can you link me to the alternative cables?

I get your point about just replacing it more often then hanging onto it. For me, that was one way to do it but the Braille seems to have the stronger specs I was looking for. I will make some notes and see how it holds up over time.

My car goes on the charger if it is going to sit for more then a week. I might even bring this one in over the 'winter with my wheels

 

[Torgus]

If you get time can you link me to the alternative cables?

I get your point about just replacing it more often then hanging onto it. For me, that was one way to do it but the Braille seems to have the stronger specs I was looking for. I will make some notes and see how it holds up over time.

My car goes on the charger if it is going to sit for more then a week. I might even bring this one in over the 'winter with my wheels

https://jlaudio.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/204374080-The-Big-3-Wiring-Upgrade <--the battery ground to chassis wire, the chassis to engine block wire, and the alternator plus to battery plus wire. This increases your electrical system's current flow capability, ensuring a more consistent voltage under varying demand conditions. The chassis to engine block wire is the one that failed on my vehicles. I recommend everyone check theirs, especially if you live in an area they salt the roads etc.

People sell premade universal kits but I find they generally are made with cheap products to maximize profits. You want good oxygen free tinned copper. Tinned being VERY important: http://www.knukonceptz.com/company/news/what-is-marine-grade-wire/#:~:text=Tinned copper will not tarnish,to the elements will tarnish.&text=By stripping the cable of,exposing bare copper to oxygen.

Quality lugs, and quality shrink tape. It's small money more to do it right.

I don't think anyone makes a kit for the E9X platform. Usually people just DIY it. I would use 1/0 personally, cost is so minimal same with weight. Don't forget to fuse your alt to batt wire. You size the fuse to the wire, not the amperage draw etc.

I do like the weight of the Braille give the CCA etc. it is a very nice AGM battery.

Can a E9x sit with no battery for months? I assumed the damn dme would forget everything including it's own vin

 

[NoGuru]

Thanks Torgus! Links won't let me view at work but I will look into it when I get home.

Can the E9x series sit without a battery in it. Funny you mention that because I was wondering the same. I still have the old batt that was only a few years old I can put in it for the Winter months. Would I trust it without a battery, no probably not

 

[RuskiRacer]

You could always do the big 3, just a thought if you are really concerned. I have seen BMW ground cables go bad, had it happen in my X5 and E92. I replaced with 4 awg high quality car audio cable vs the standard bmw wire mesh grounding cable. That way it will last 'forever' correct plated terminals and some 'special' heat shrink tape etc. It is also a much better conductor than stock.

Personally before I spend $400 on a battery I would just replace the battery 3 times. If that makes sense. 3 healthy batteries replaced over the lifetime of the braille. Say it lasts 10 years. I would rather have 3 fresh batteries over 10 years then 1 battery over 10. Even if it is 'higher' quality at year 1, it will likely not be at years 7-10 compared to a new battery from the store at year 7. I would ask Braille if they will give you a degradation chart for the battery assuming X cycles a year and depth of discharge.

AGMs are nice, but NEVER discharge them far down. They don't recover like SLAs deep discharge or not.

I think the warranty on an autozone battery is better than Brailles' fwiw.

I agree thats why I have a duralast battery from autozone and just bring it there before the warranty is up and the guys over there always give me a fresh one

 

[Torgus]

I agree thats why I have a duralast battery from autozone and just bring it there before the warranty is up and the guys over there always give me a fresh one

Mine started testing the batteries ;( No more free batteries every 2 years. Not that I really abused it much.

Thanks Torgus! Links won't let me view at work but I will look into it when I get home.

Can the E9x series sit without a battery in it. Funny you mention that because I was wondering the same. I still have the old batt that was only a few years old I can put in it for the Winter months. Would I trust it without a battery, no probably not

That is what I was going to suggest. Throw an older battery in it and hook it to a charger. Even if the battery is mostly shot the charger will keep the voltage stable and caps full etc.

 

[RuskiRacer]

Hahahah woww your autozone doesn't like you that much im basically sponsored by my local autozone I just go up in there be like I need a couple little things and there like ok and never ring me up lol.