I feel like the Lithium batteries have progressed enough that I may consider them. I have been using a D1600 for years without issue but the fast re-charge of the lithium does peak my interest.

I am not so much concerned with weight savings but more about fast charging for the double entries.

What are the thoughts of people who have made the change? I know the boss here runs a Altronics I believe. I would be looking at them or Go Lithium.

Also one or two with a alternator?

If you do not need the weight savings it is hard to beat a D1600 with a properly working alternator. I use the D1600 with a House of Payne alternator and charging the battery is optional - even when double entered in my bracket s10.

Regarding lithium, I ran a Braille battery in my TS car with a House of Payne alternator with no issue. And I never push or pull my car to the lanes or back from the run.

FYI - I "think" the Go Lithium requires modifications to standard alternators.

save your money simply

quote:

posted December 13, 2023 03:12 PM Hide Post
save your money

Unless you recently won a lottery or received a large inheritance check, save your money. The cost of a lithium battery and the charger VS the performance gain (weight reduction) is not worth the expense.

Bob

I always run an alternator if possible. As for 16 volt standard battery they go dead faster than a 12 volt. They spin over faster for sure but go dead quicker especially in later rounds. Ask me how I know. I think the Lithium is even worse about going dead quickly. Not worth it to me. The weight does not matter one bit if it does not start your car in final round. Save your money unless you are trying to save every little bit of weight. Many people running the lithium batteries are running two probably to help make sure it starts every time.

On my green car Dan had bought two new XS Power 16 volt batteries so I am using them on that car and I now have an alternator on it. On my personal car I have went back to 12 volt system after running 16 volt for years on my dragster. By the way my Dragster had an alternator to and it still did not start once in later rounds.

Simple solution to address your charging concerns and say you a bunch of money!

Use a slave battery (not in the car) to run the fan and water pump while your charging the car battery with no draw on it! I run a small 12v battery in the nose of my dragster with an alternator. When I double or it's Africa hot and they round robin the late rounds, I use an old battery to run the fan and water pump, wired a separate plug o the car side of the on/off switch so in the off position the charger will charge the car battery and the slave battery runs the fan and water pump. Works great.

quote:

Originally posted by TOP38:
Simple solution to address your charging concerns and say you a bunch of money!

Use a slave battery (not in the car) to run the fan and water pump while your charging the car battery with no draw on it! I run a small 12v battery in the nose of my dragster with an alternator. When I double or it's Africa hot and they round robin the late rounds, I use an old battery to run the fan and water pump, wired a separate plug o the car side of the on/off switch so in the off position the charger will charge the car battery and the slave battery runs the fan and water pump. Works great.

I have both my bracket and TS cars wired this way and it definitely works / helps. I used it all the time on the TS car.

quote:

Originally posted by TOP38:
Simple solution to address your charging concerns and say you a bunch of money!

Use a slave battery (not in the car) to run the fan and water pump while your charging the car battery with no draw on it! I run a small 12v battery in the nose of my dragster with an alternator. When I double or it's Africa hot and they round robin the late rounds, I use an old battery to run the fan and water pump, wired a separate plug o the car side of the on/off switch so in the off position the charger will charge the car battery and the slave battery runs the fan and water pump. Works great.

For the record, I don't have charging issues and never have using a D1600 for 10 years. I was just looking at the fast charging properties of lithium. It is for sure faster than charging a AGM.

Curly, your the only I have seen that says this about 16v. If everyone had those isuues, no one would run them.....

If it matters at all, I won’t be going 16 volt lithium on my new build.. staying 12v agm

I've seen too many things with lithium batteries burn completely down that I wouldn't even consider one. Not just the car but trailer and everything in it, I'll pass...

I used Braille 16 volt lithium for a while. Basically I saw that it went dead quickly without warning. They say a full recharge can be done in 25 minutes but I never saw that happen. They cannot be charged while running a load and fully discharging them is problematic as polarity can reverse possibly. Cold temps also presented issues with the battery performing properly and holding a load. Too much money and too many issues for me for little gain. A 16v agm is my preference and I can run a slave with it agm to agm and not worry over anything catching on fire lol

quote:

Originally posted by 67TSCHEVY2:
I used Braille 16 volt lithium for a while. Basically I saw that it went dead quickly without warning. They say a full recharge can be done in 25 minutes but I never saw that happen. They cannot be charged while running a load and fully discharging them is problematic as polarity can reverse possibly. Cold temps also presented issues with the battery performing properly and holding a load. Too much money and too many issues for me for little gain. A 16v agm is my preference and I can run a slave with it agm to agm and not worry over anything catching on fire lol

Thanks, I am going to stay with what has worked for over 10 years. (D1600) I thought I would ask the question to get some real world answers and you basically confirmed my thoughts.

I never had a problem with my old car and a 50amp Ultra Mini and now on the new car I have a 120 amp Mini Alternator. And no matter what I always put the car on the charger after every run.

quote:

Originally posted by Busted Knuckles:
I've seen too many things with lithium batteries burn completely down that I wouldn't even consider one. Not just the car but trailer and everything in it, I'll pass...

X100…

NOT!!!

go lithium for the win

Hard to justify spending $500+ on a charger, $1000+ for a battery when there is not only zero gain to be had, but at the risk of sudden catastrophic fire, sudden failure, and crap like that. AGM batteries, whether you prefer 12v or 16v have been around a long time, and are proven, not to mention substantially less expensive, and generally readily available. The racer store at Bandimere speedway sold both 12v and 16v batteries....so you were covered either way. I get it, they are all the rage right now...don't care.....there are a hell of a lot of other things you can get with the money you save by not buying one on your car that will net you gains.....

Like most everything in life good and bad. Good light weight, Cost bad, If you are running light weight and it goes bad you either have to have backup battery or replace it with something heavier that may not fit the same space or mount.
If can have a backup and one in the car and money noit issue. Run the lightweight lithium.

I would rather have other itmes with difference in cost.JMO

quote:

Originally posted by TonyB6255:

quote:

Originally posted by TOP38:
Simple solution to address your charging concerns and say you a bunch of money!

Use a slave battery (not in the car) to run the fan and water pump while your charging the car battery with no draw on it! I run a small 12v battery in the nose of my dragster with an alternator. When I double or it's Africa hot and they round robin the late rounds, I use an old battery to run the fan and water pump, wired a separate plug o the car side of the on/off switch so in the off position the charger will charge the car battery and the slave battery runs the fan and water pump. Works great.

For the record, I don't have charging issues and never have using a D1600 for 10 years. I was just looking at the fast charging properties of lithium. It is for sure faster than charging a AGM.

Curly, your the only I have seen that says this about 16v. If everyone had those isuues, no one would run them.....

You stated you were looking for faster battery charges when you double up!!! But you state no issues charging now.

What I stated above will allow you to charge your battery faster an it's simple and cost effective. For the slave battery, I use the old one form my car after 3 or 4 years of use. You don't need a killer slave battery to run the fan and water pump.

The bracket racers using Lithium batteries that I know of need 2 in the car (not sure which ones they use, weigh about 8 lbs each), one will not make it in the late rounds even with an alternator.

$1500 to save 35 pounds? In what universe does that make any sense?

Bob

NOT! Been using red tops for along time. Just replaced 2 that where 7 year’s old , still tested good but did not want a problem hot lapping. I need the extra weight in the truck , haha