CSX/Kirkham - Dual Battery Questions

[James Baldwin]

For those of you running the dual batteries behind the passenger seats of Kirkhams and Shelbys:

1. What kind are you using?
2. Where did you get them?
3. How much?
4. How happy are you with them?


Thanks for your help!

[ItsOnlyMoney]

James,

1. The ones in this pic http://kms.nfshost.com/information/batteries/
2. From the Kirkhams.
3. Not sure on price, got them when I got the car.
4. So far, I'm ecstatic. And I really like the batteries too.

I've also seen some red top Optima's made in this same shape that look nice that others are using.

David

[Allan A]

James,

I have not had any problems with mine. It is my understanding that the KMP set up is not the same as the Shelby. We used the gel filled ones. Contact Kris Kincaid at csxinfo.net he purchased them for us.

Allan

[Jamo]

The trays are slightly bigger in the SAIs and will accomodate Optimas...the Kirkham tray will not.

I have the ones David linked above and they have been great for the past year I have had them.

[Bud Man]

Jimmy:

1. Dual Rebats (NOS)
2. It's a secret (I'll need spares, after all)
3. Blocked it out of my mind
4. Happy, as long as you keep them topped off.

In a collision, if the explosion doesn't kill you the battery acid probably will......

Hope this helps.

Bud

[Gary Morris]

Jim........your going to be banned from the Sandbox if you don't come clean. I need this info also!!!

Gary

[Morris]

James

www.1st-optima-batteries.com

We are going to run two 6 volt batteries in Series because they are thinner.... size 10"X 3.5" deep....

I saw this over at Shelby's place in Gardena Ca.... in his cars....

I think a nice box can be built around them and then we can move the pass seat back some to compensate for the Dry Sump tank at the other end of the foot box....

Morris

[PatBuckley]

James -

1. 6 volt Optima

2. From Turk

3. Free (for working on his car - figure the actual cost was about $700 each.... )

4. Very happy - although maybe they should be painted black?

I did have to make a tray for them as they are thinner than what came from Kirkham.

Pat

[Bud Man]

Gary:

All kidding aside, when I built 142, I wanted to get as close to the original cars as I could. Against the good advice of the Kirkham Bros, I elected to install two Rebats in series on a NOS battery tray that I happened to luck into. If I were building another car today, I would set it up the same way, but that's me.

Practically speaking these are '60's technology, and despite being made for aircraft, the caps will leak a bit. I periodically pull them out, clean them and "redress" the mounting tray. No problems to date, but they are relatively high maintenance when compared to the stuff available today. If you are going to track it, you may want to reconsider. 142's no trailer queen, but I don't really thrash it, either.....

If you really want the original look of a set of twin Rebats, I can help you out, but I would really consider going the sealed route. Send me an email and I'll try to help.

Bud

[Gary Morris]

James...this is courtesy of CSXinfo.net

Posted: Dec. 13 2002,11:19

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Summary of available behind the seat battery options:

1. Rebat R-35/Concorde CB-35A/Gill G-35/Exide AC-35
a. 28 lbs
b. 23 ah
c. 250 CCA at 12 V (double if parallel)
d. 9.96 x 5.17 x 7.51
e. forces right seat forward, if original style case, emits acid fumes (shelf is 2 5/8" wide), screw connectors (Gill is most like the Rebat R-35, except pink!)
f. $150
2. Optima 6 Volt
a. 18.5 lbs
b. 56 ah
c. 850 CCA at 6 V (same 850 at 12V if series)
d. 9.96 x 3.53 x 7.51
e. fits neatly behind seat, sealed case, auto style connectors
f. $125 (no one seems to stock the 6V, i.e. special order)
3. Hawker Energy - Genesis G16EP/Odyssey PC680/Dyna-Batt
a. 13.5 lbs
b. 16 ah
c. 280 CCA at 12V (double if parallel)
d. 7.15 x 3.01 x 6.61
e. fits neatly behind seat, sealed case, screw connectors
f. $69.95 at www.gotbatteries.com, apparently Hawker makes all 3 labels, the Odyssey has an orange case for $20 more and the Dyna-Batt lists for $155, ouch!! Search Lycos for "Dyna-Batt" or go to www.stealth316.com for an excellent technical essay on this series of battery for auto usage. Apparently one of these works great for auto usage if its protected against heat, i.e. underhood mounting is not recommended. CCA seems misleading for this Military style battery, hence 650 PCA is quoted. There are other brands in this size, but it seems there is some subtle difference in design that makes these models excellent for Starting batteries.

One of these carves 42.5 lbs off the dual R-35 configuration (56 - 13.5). Nascar folks are said to be using one G26EP, FYI.

As these have the screw type terminals, believe once the seats are installed, they will look "original" as mostly all you see is the wiring harness.

Gary