Big Crank Battery vs Braille B106 CHEAP lightweight option

[kinger]

So I have been toying with a lightweight replacement for my Odyssey PC545 for my SC apex. I really want to try a Lithium but I think the cold start procedure is just something I'm not interested in. So the next best bet is a Braille B106, this is a light weight AGM battery (like the odyssey) and saves me 5lbs (12lbs PC545 to 7lbs B106). Its been proven to work in yamaha sleds. So ready to purchase I start looking around and it appears that this battery is made by Deka a large manufacturer and rebranded by Braille. There is another brand called Big crank that sells the ETX9 battery which is rumored to be the exact same thing as the B106.

The Braille sells for $150 and the ETX9 about $70. Before you run and say the CCA ratings (120 vs 210CCA) are not the same I found on Braille web site long ago they used to post how they come up with their ratings. I cannot locate the statement on their current web site but found this from another forum:

Cold Cranking Amps is a rating used to give an approximation of a battery’s ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. The higher the CCA rating, the greater the potential starting power of the battery in colder weather. Braille Battery’s are tested using conductance testing which is an approximation of BCI testing. The BCI rating is the number of amps a new, fully charged battery can deliver at 0° Farenheit for 30 seconds, while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts, for a 12 volt battery using a draw down test. Since this type of testing can shorten the life of a battery, Braille’s batteries are individually tested prior to shipping using the conductance method. This method is much faster and less destructive to batteries.
-NOTE: All cranking performance ratings are based on calculations of data collected from conductance testing. For more information about this method, please click here.

To me I think it means their rating is going to be different then the 120CCA as listed by Deka direct. That 120CCA number is GOOD number meaning its been tested under the standards that all batteries should be.

So point of the post is that from searching its becoming obvious the lightweight battery market is all about marketing especially to performance people wanting light weight and willing to pay.

Secondly our sleds really only need 120CCA (real test) battery. These claims of 300-500CCA on performance products are inflated.

Third AGM is a better alternative to factory lead acid and now with this Big Crank battery is probably the cheapest weight loss mod available.

Lastly will it work? I would assume so but for $70 I will try it this winter.

Hope this helps.

 

[nate007]

I've had the Braille for the ist several years, and purposefully NOT charged them over the summer, left them hooked up, let them sit outside overnight in the U.P. and they've been good to me over the last few years. I'm running the B106's, both on screw charged sleds, and they've done just fine.
It used to be pretty much just the 545 or the stock one, but the options are slowly growing.
Just don't use lithium on your sled. I tried a crazy light battery in my Apex that was so light I thought it was a store display, but it was used to start a 1000cc sport bike. It started my sled just fine in the fall when I put it in, but the first ride of the season left me hanging the first time my sled cooled off sitting out in the snow. They need to be exercised to build a bit of internal temp to actually deliver full power in the cold. It can be done, but not always very convenient.

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[kinger]

Thanks Nate007 your reviews of the B106 is what convinced me it is ok. Seems to be a great value for weight loss and performance at 7lbs, and the big crank ETX9 generic version at $70.

 

[nate007]

I've only been able to abuse them for about 3 seasons now, so I have yet to really see how they hold up over the long run, but so far so good. I ran one dead this spring messing with my sled, so we'll see how we'll that one comes back after sitting dead all summer.

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[kinger]

Yes my odyssey PC545 is actually about 6 years old and I have never once charged it. Its a AGM just like the Braille and Big Crank version. I love the no maintenance of it. Although I do admit I checked the sled over very well long ago to make sure I had no drains on the battery because as you know getting to it is a giant PITA when you add a supecharger in the way and not something I want to do on a trip. So once there is no drains on it, they seems to last a good while. Honestly my expectation is 3-4 years with no maintenance and I am happy! I hope the new one serves me well and the 5lb weight loss is a nice bonus!

 

[Redbeard]

Good info and review here! Thanks!

 

[thrasher]

Had both the Odyssey PC 545 in my Vector and the PC 680 in my Warrior. Always started for the first 3 seasons which were fairly mild, never below -20 deg celcius. Recently our winters have become colder, so in the morning temps of -20 t0 -40 in the morning. Both my Odyssey batteries were not up to the task, and had to replace the PC680 first. The PC545 seemed to have a little more juice turning over the triple, but was becoming very sluggish, and I really didn't realise how sluggish until I replaced it. Prior, I had noticed the Odyssey's were becoming sluggish and read that they are supposed to hold a charge for two years and so on, but started removing them and testing them with s digital multimetre. I soon found out that they definitely were losing voltage over the summer, from fully charged with 13.4 volts to well under 12 volts during a 6 month lay off. I assumed that my batteries were good until I started actually testing them. No wonder they were struggling.
So went back to the Yuasa YTX20HL-BS, what a difference. A lot more cranking power. I forgot what I had been missing. So much so, last winter up in Matagami Quebec, the start of our morning ride at -45 deg celcius with a wind chill of -58 deg. celcius, my sled was the only one to start on its own. Fortunately, my 06 Vector was the oldest sled and actually had a choke on it. It started after the fifth crank. I couldn't believe the sled actually turned over and the battery had enough juice to do so five times, not that it was cranking fast by any means. But it started. I had to boost my buddies 2012 Ski-doo 1200 c-tec. Other cats their had to be boosted by trucks and hooked up for 15 minutes or so. Was quite amusing, if it wasn't so bitterly friggin cold.
Anyhow, imo the Odyssey batteries are good, but the high output Yuasa performs a bit better.

 

[nate007]

What is the size of the YTX20? Only problem is that some of us blower guys can't fit a full size battery in our sleds. I haven't seen a Yuasa that would even fit mine. My sled is set up a bit different than the MPI guys, and my battery sits in the nose of my sled where mpi puts the oil reservoir, so I have very limited space.

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[kinger]

It is:
Length (in):6.875 in.

Width (in):3.437 in.

Height (in):6.125 in.

Its a beast of a battery weighing almost 16lbs full of acid. If you need CCA and have to give up weight it may be worth a look.

 

[yukon yamaha]

I have been looking at the deka battery ETX14 w/ 200cca and 11 lbs
or
ytz14s w/ 230 cca @ 8.6 lbs. Both seem to be getting great reviews
I think I am gonna end up with the YTZ14S just for the extra CCA

 

[Handy]

This is a good read. I have an Odyssey in my sc Apex and because of the sc there really aren't many options. Lead acid is not an option because the battery has to lay on it's side. My Vector which is stock always cranks and starts better than my Apex in -25 C weather. Warmer weather really doesn't pose any problems. The battery in my Vector is original from 06 while the Odyssey I have replaced once due to a battery drain condition. I use an Optimate 4 charger through the summer to keep my batteries from sulphating and it seems to work.