quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
I have had 4 of the XS Power 16 volt batteries. All new on two different cars with less than impressive results on both.
Fist car was my Front engine dragster, I went with 16 volt when I built the car new. That motor had a 70 amp mini alternator on it and mechanical fuel injection. First battery started going dead real quick after about 6 months. A few months later they finally replaced it with a new one under warranty. The replacement worked pretty good until one night I had my tune up a little off and car did not want to start up good. Battery went dead in Semi Final costing me a race. I sold that car and soon after that 16 volt battery died and had to be replaced, they did take the alternator off which I am sure did not help. Maybe 2 years on that battery?
Next car the Outlaw Altered, brand new XS Power battery and it would spin over like crazy but go dead quickly. New battery and it was some what better. Problem with the Outlaw Altered is there is absolutely no place to put an alternator on the car. So last week I put 2 of the 16 volt batteries up front and hopefully that will resolve any future issues. This car does not need the weight penalty but you definitely lose if car wont start. I know I would not spend $1200 again on two 16 volt batteries and charger.
Both cars were new and wiring was good with no issues there.
When a 16 volt battery is down around 14 volts you would think it is still better than a 12 volt battery but that is not the case. When it is say 14 volts or less it will not start the car.

So I think the 16 volt battery spins over say 20% faster but it also goes dead faster and not sure that is a good trade off for all of us. I suspect the Lithium batteries are worse so I probably will not be trying them. Total starting power or energy is about same so it comes down to do you want more starts or spin it over faster? For me none of the 16 volt batteries have lasted as long as good 12 volt batteries. I have had 2 of the four 16 volt batteries start acting up in about 6 months and one die after about 2 years. That does not give me a warm fuzzy feeling about the other two although they are still working good now.

12 volt system. In my old altered it had a Optima Red top as that was on the car when I bought it. I ran it for about 5 years and it was still good. I simply changed it out with a new one because I felt I had got my moneys worth out of it. I think 6 or 7 years later it is still working great in the trailer running trailer jack and radio etc in it. While people talk about the Red top Optimas as junk I have had really good results with them. In fact when I got that car it had one of those wimpy Shogun alternators that puts out maybe 20 amps. I did some testing in Texas heat was over 100* that day made 14 passes and had water pump and fan running most of the day to keep it cool. Had electric fuel pump at that time and 12 volt optima. I was running most everything electrical to test and see how long it would last and did not charge at the track. Did not want to get to Final or something and not start so find out what it will do in testing.

My new Straight Shooter altered I went with 12 volt system and on the Outlaw Altered when it comes time to replace the 16 volt batteries I may go back to 12 volt system. Will decide when that time comes. Point is the 16 volt battery is different but not sure it is any better. I do not care about the money, I want performance and for it to start every time. I also do not mind spending money if it gets better results.

What ever system you run I would always keep a battery maintainer on it at home and run an alternator if you possibly can.