Manufactured by East Penn for the Braille Battery company, these AGM (absorbed glass mat) technology batteries have an energy to density ratio that seemingly makes them the lightest and dimensionally smallest, for a given power output, of any commercially available battery currently on the market. To accomplish this, Braille claims they use an "Enhanced Mat Technology" to produce more surface area on the lead plates combined with "calcium full frame power path grids," for increased cranking power. Additionally, by using "high-density oxide," Braille batteries are capable of deep-cycling ability over the life of the battery. Finally, the terminals are resistant to severe vibration reducing the tendency to crack and deteriorate common to many lightweight batteries used in demanding automotive environments. Indeed!
As an AGM battery, it can be mounted in any position (except upside down) made even easier due to its adjustable SAE terminal posts.
http://www.braillebattery.com
Braille Advantages
1. The biggest advantage is weight reduction. Even the largest Braille lightweight battery (B3121; B3121C) weighs only 21 lbs.
2. Size reduction. Braille lightweight batteries are not made to BCI Group specs and are considerably smaller dimensionally, thus allowing more clearance for other components in the engine compartment. Also takes up less space in trunk mounting.
Braille Disadvantages
1. The biggest disadvantage, at least for daily drivers, is the available energy output in terms of cold cranking amps (CCA). Although extremely high for its size and weight, it's relatively low in terms of our vehicle needs. Most Mazdas require BCI Group 35 batteries, with late-model Canadian 3s using a BCI Group 34R, and the 6 using a BCI Group 41R type.
AGM batteries in BCI Group 35 (Diehard Platinum, Exide Orbital, Odyssey, and Optima Red Top) have a CCA range of 690 to 740, with a mean of 722.5. In Group 34R (Diehard Platinum, Deka Intimidator, Exide Orbital, Odyssey, and Optima Red Top), the range is 740 to 880, with a mean of 814.
The problem is that the largest Braille lightweight battery only has a CCA specification of 550. This may or may not be a problem for a daily driver depending on temperature extremes, added electonics, trip duration, etc. Only you can decide. This problem is further complicated by the fact that, by their own admission, Braille doesn't use the standard test for CCA but rather employs conductance testing resulting in a possible discrepancy in the figures obtained from the two different methods.
2. Since the Braille lightweight batteries are not made to BCI Group specs, they will not fit in our battery trays requiring the purchase of appropriate mounts, and their installation. At least, Braille has a full selection of mounts of varying kinds for each of their battery types thus simplifying this requirement.
Associated with this problem is the fact that the OEM cables may not reach the terminals of these lightweight batteries because of their non-stock location.
Notwithstanding the above, for cars that see mostly track use where such things as lights or aftermarket audio systems are not a factor, these lightweight batteries, even in the smaller, lighter sizes, may be quite advantageous. In extreme cases where a jumper battery can be used to start the engine, only a small onboard battery (such as the 11.5 lb B14115; B14115C) may suffice to operate the ignition system and the control electronics.
Happy Motoring!
As an AGM battery, it can be mounted in any position (except upside down) made even easier due to its adjustable SAE terminal posts.
http://www.braillebattery.com
Braille Advantages
1. The biggest advantage is weight reduction. Even the largest Braille lightweight battery (B3121; B3121C) weighs only 21 lbs.
2. Size reduction. Braille lightweight batteries are not made to BCI Group specs and are considerably smaller dimensionally, thus allowing more clearance for other components in the engine compartment. Also takes up less space in trunk mounting.
Braille Disadvantages
1. The biggest disadvantage, at least for daily drivers, is the available energy output in terms of cold cranking amps (CCA). Although extremely high for its size and weight, it's relatively low in terms of our vehicle needs. Most Mazdas require BCI Group 35 batteries, with late-model Canadian 3s using a BCI Group 34R, and the 6 using a BCI Group 41R type.
AGM batteries in BCI Group 35 (Diehard Platinum, Exide Orbital, Odyssey, and Optima Red Top) have a CCA range of 690 to 740, with a mean of 722.5. In Group 34R (Diehard Platinum, Deka Intimidator, Exide Orbital, Odyssey, and Optima Red Top), the range is 740 to 880, with a mean of 814.
The problem is that the largest Braille lightweight battery only has a CCA specification of 550. This may or may not be a problem for a daily driver depending on temperature extremes, added electonics, trip duration, etc. Only you can decide. This problem is further complicated by the fact that, by their own admission, Braille doesn't use the standard test for CCA but rather employs conductance testing resulting in a possible discrepancy in the figures obtained from the two different methods.
2. Since the Braille lightweight batteries are not made to BCI Group specs, they will not fit in our battery trays requiring the purchase of appropriate mounts, and their installation. At least, Braille has a full selection of mounts of varying kinds for each of their battery types thus simplifying this requirement.
Associated with this problem is the fact that the OEM cables may not reach the terminals of these lightweight batteries because of their non-stock location.
Notwithstanding the above, for cars that see mostly track use where such things as lights or aftermarket audio systems are not a factor, these lightweight batteries, even in the smaller, lighter sizes, may be quite advantageous. In extreme cases where a jumper battery can be used to start the engine, only a small onboard battery (such as the 11.5 lb B14115; B14115C) may suffice to operate the ignition system and the control electronics.
Happy Motoring!
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