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Tofuball's '94 XFi; It's all about city MPG
Topic Started: Mar 12 2011, 08:59 AM (39,432 Views)
Tofuball
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Strange Mechanic

Installed the RBC2 battery, removed Redtop, battery tray, bolts, and that metal shield in front of the engine next to the radiator. I guess that saves around 40lbs.
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nerys
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Grr

well WEIGH it and tell us exactly what is saves.

I do have to admit though I am ADDICTED to my bluetop optima

twice now I left the lights on for over 3 hours and it started RIGHT UP as if nothing was wrong (though the engine bogged a bit for 10-15 minutes as the alternator worked hard to recharge it) Only noticed at idle and on the guino.

one time I left the inverter for my 5.1 going for 12 hours. not even a hiccup on cranking.

LOVE the bluetops :-)

Imagine a Lithium Ion pack. boy would that save some weight boy would that cost a fortune :-)
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Tofuball
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Yeah, if this $20 (new) 5.5lb battery works, I really don't see a point in springing for a Li-ion, what is that going to save, 1lb? :)

I don't sit in the car listening to the radio or anything. And if I leave the lights on, guess I have to bump start it for my mistake :P
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Coche Blanco
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Sounds like good enough punishment to me. haha
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nerys
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Grr

I am curious still about the weight difference. especially if you use ONE battery.
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Tofuball
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nerys
Aug 20 2011, 06:52 PM
I am curious still about the weight difference. especially if you use ONE battery.
Ok ok looked it up for you.

According to the site, my Red Top battery alone, not including tray\bolts\terminals\mounting bracket (all removed), weighs 38.8 lbs. It was forward of the shock tower.

The RBC2, in spec weighs 5.5lbs. It's held in with a few zip ties to the shock tower.


Edited by Tofuball, Aug 20 2011, 08:46 PM.
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nerys
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WOW nice. so if we assume the tray and all are 5 pounds you removed 100% the mass of the red top :-) nice. its like you erased it replaced it with nothing and the car still works.

I can live with that :-)

careful with the zipties man. they are SERIOUSLY unreliable with "heavy" shock loads. I can reliably break most zipties with my bare hands. Drives me nuts I can not find any "good" zip ties anymore.
Edited by nerys, Aug 20 2011, 10:26 PM.
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Coche Blanco
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nerys
Aug 20 2011, 10:24 PM
careful with the zipties man. they are SERIOUSLY unreliable with "heavy" shock loads. I can reliably break most zipties with my bare hands. Drives me nuts I can not find any "good" zip ties anymore.
?
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Tofuball
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I guess I just buy better zip ties then you ;)

Don't buy zip ties at auto parts stores.
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t3ragtop
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Tofuball
Aug 20 2011, 01:29 PM
I don't sit in the car listening to the radio or anything. And if I leave the lights on, guess I have to bump start it for my mistake :P
don't forget that your car has electronic fuel injection. if you leave the lights on and deplete the battery's charge, there won't be anything left to power the fuel pump, ecu, ignition, and injection.

you can push the car until the cows come home and if the battery is flat it will never start. :(
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Bigshane90


nerys
Aug 20 2011, 10:24 PM
WOW nice. so if we assume the tray and all are 5 pounds you removed 100% the mass of the red top :-) nice. its like you erased it replaced it with nothing and the car still works.

I can live with that :-)

careful with the zipties man. they are SERIOUSLY unreliable with "heavy" shock loads. I can reliably break most zipties with my bare hands. Drives me nuts I can not find any "good" zip ties anymore.
Go to your local hvac supply house and get yourself a bag of pandoit straps.
Not sure if I spelled pandoit right? But these are the baddest zip ties I know of. Police use them in raids for handcuffs.
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nerys
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Grr

Is this true? you can't start a car with no or a dead battery even bump starting it? you might need to get it going fast enough to spin the alternator a few times to generate a few watts of power to get things rolling but it SHOULD start if you get it rolling fast enough (assuming the alternator is good)
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Tofuball
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If the battery is TOTALLY FLAT then starting it requires a lot of windup before the pitch, but I've done it.

But even totally flat batteries come up a bit (usually to around 8.6v or so) if you let them "rest" for a little bit.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

nerys
Aug 20 2011, 10:24 PM
careful with the zipties man. they are SERIOUSLY unreliable with "heavy" shock loads. I can reliably break most zipties with my bare hands. Drives me nuts I can not find any "good" zip ties anymore.
If you click on Search: Industrial Strength Zip Ties I see one that is rated 120 pounds. The CarQuest one is rated at 50 lbs. :smackface That's not industrial strength, IMHO.

You need to get some that are at least 120 pounds (listed on eBay) if you want something that will last a long time.

Click on this Amazon.com listing: Boston Industrial UV 175 Tensile Strength 24 Inch Cable Ties, 100 Pack - Black -
"Patented DoubleLock design ensures 50% more tensile strength than standard ties. Resistant to degradation by ultraviolet rays. Flexible Nylon material allows cable ties to remain serviceable thru temperature ranges of -40 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Recognized under component program of Underwriters Laboratories, E125869. Meets flammability classification UL 94 V-2 and meets military specification MS3367. Length: 24 inches, tensile strength: 175 pounds. Color is black and package quantity is 100. "

All for $11.10 :D
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eage8
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Tofuball
Aug 20 2011, 08:30 PM
nerys
Aug 20 2011, 06:52 PM
I am curious still about the weight difference. especially if you use ONE battery.
Ok ok looked it up for you.

According to the site, my Red Top battery alone, not including tray\bolts\terminals\mounting bracket (all removed), weighs 38.8 lbs. It was forward of the shock tower.

The RBC2, in spec weighs 5.5lbs. It's held in with a few zip ties to the shock tower.


Just be careful... I've heard of people using similar batteries and they have exploded during charging... I can't find the thread currently though, it was on an autocross forum.

I'm running an 11 lb AGM Yausa YTX20L-BS in my Corolla. It's the OEM battery in 1.8L Honda Goldwings and a bunch of other stuff and has 270 cca. Starts my 1.6L high compression 20v 4age pretty easily.

-Mike
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