Braille Batteries - Customer Service

[Pat]

Thanks for posting. It's so rare to hear good customer service stories anymore.

[70Sixter]

This was the worst case I found when searching on Braille batteries, and the customer support only adds confidence.

The Red Top Optima in my 914 is dead, and I'm about to pull the trigger on Brailles for both my Pcars.

Here's Tire Rack's listings for those who might want it.

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/brands/braille.jsp

Suncoast also sells them, and I have not cost compared yet.

For 986s - any reversing issues as like the Optima 94R?

Last chance to give me any reason not to go Braille.

[Lil bastard]

Good write-up!

Couple of questions -

Does this switch require any modification to the existing, or replacement of, the Battery Tray?

Do you need to install longer Battery Cables as with some other type of Batteries?

Did you happen to ask them if there are any charging issues for these batteries with the standard 120-Amp Bosch Alternator?

I ask because some Deep Cycle AGM batteries can overwork an alternator, sometimes leading to early alternator failure. Also, what is the optimum charging voltage? The Bosch is generally around 14.5 volts (though you can alter this with an internal voltage regulator swap), but some batteries prefer more/less voltage (true Gel batteries prefer much less).

[edevlin]

"Does this switch require any modification to the existing, or replacement of, the Battery Tray?"

Yes, I started with a temp solution using foam blocks and a home-made strap to keep the battery in place. I eventually got a strap from a 911 Turbo exhaust system and had a strap made as a permanent solution, you can see a pic of it on my webpage.

"Do you need to install longer Battery Cables as with some other type of Batteries?"

No, but its close, there is a little slack with cables, but not much.

"Did you happen to ask them if there are any charging issues for these batteries with the standard 120-Amp Bosch Alternator?"

No, but I have been using their batteries for over a year to good effect.

Ed

[heyjae]

Braille batteries are the same as Deka. Just repackaged. It seems Braille Cust Serv is very good, so the higher price (about 2x as expensive) may be worth it. I have the 11 lb battery in my track car. Supposedly it optimally charges at 12.5 volts or so, so I may be overstressing the battery. However, it isn't my daily driver so it may be fine. If not, the Deka replacement is a lot cheaper.

I've been using a "modified" hold down from Pep Boys as an interim solution. I just ordered a great looking hold down made specifically for Braille/Deka batteries from spturbo.com last weekend. It should be a simple matter of drilling 2 holes into the battery tray and I'm good to go.

I did have to get a longer + battery cable, but that is very easy to do. It's a simple 2 bolt affair using a $7 cable from Pep Boys. One terminal on the firewall and the other on the battery.

[Kirk]

I suspect this won't fix your light dimming problem though, but it's good to hear about the great customer service. I've been kicking around the idea of a light weight battery...

If you crank your stereo system and it's drawing a lot of juice even the best battery may cause light dimming problems. Have you considered a capacitor? Maybe I'm old school or something, but in '96 and '99 when I competed in car stereo we always used a 1 farad or 2 farad capacitor to eliminate this problem. I've still got a 1 farad cap I'll probably use in my next system.

[blinkwatt]

@heyjae,

Do you have pics of your Deka battery installed? What model # is it? How much was it?

[Lil bastard]

@edevlin - Thanks for the info, it's a big help.

@heyjae - Thanks. I read that Braille batteries are just repackaged Dekas too - the VW guys swear by them. I read that using many of these batteries without changing the alternator's voltage regulator will constantly overcharge them. Swapping the voltage regulator on the Bosch alternator is easy - it's just a snap-in modular unit.

@Kirk - I agree. But, I have read that the use of a Cap is unecessary and actually further increases the draw on the Battery/Alternator.

Essentially, the article said, that the Cap discharges some energy to meet the demands of the amplifier, but then recharges itself immediately, adding to the strain already placed on the battery to begin with. The guy who produced the 1st Car Audio Caps is now advising against their use for that reason.

Most high-end Audiophiles now use additional batteries and/or custom alternators with increased capacity. There are also devices for sale which allow two batteries to be used, but cut one battery out if the draw becomes too great in order to protect it for car starting, accessory power demands and such.

Space in the Boxster is limited, so I think a custom higher capacity alternator has more appeal and practicality than either additional batteries or Caps.

But, I better be careful here or I may incur the wrath of Jack G... j/k Jack