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Mon Jan 06, 2025 11:44 am

I didn't know were to put this, is there a electrical sticky? so here goes.

In the buggy I am building I am pressed for space up front and need to move some weight forward,
so I am thinking of using 3, YTZ14S Motorcycle Battery's and mount them on the firewall over the tie rods
to the left of were the steering shaft goes through.

YTZ14S 12 Volt, Capacity (10-HR) 11.2 amp Weight 8.6 lbs
Max charge rate 1.1 amps, CCA 230

The way I see it they will provide 690 CCA but they only have a
max 1.1 amp charge rate each.
my question is will they work with the VW charging system of a 75 bus or will it fry the battery's? the battery vendor was no help.

Mon Jan 06, 2025 5:16 pm

I used a single ATV battery in mine. It is exactly 1/2 the size of a standard Beetle battery. Put it in in the spring, it started my 1911 type 4 engine with 8.4/1 C/R with no issues all summer. I cut the old battery box in 1/2 and welded it back together.

Tue Jan 07, 2025 1:12 am

I think a couple? few? guys on Speedsterowners.com are using smaller batteries in their cars. Most Speedsters have fairly basic electrical systems with not a lot for extra draw- enough power to turn over a healthy 2 liter with no big mega watt stereos or banks of driving lights. What exactly they're using, though, I can't help you with. You could go on the forum and ask- I'm sure any one using a smaller battery will be more than happy to share their experience. Tell 'em ALB sent you... :wink:

Tue Jan 07, 2025 11:01 am

Thank you for the replies from up North in (( THE 51st State )) just kidding, just had to say it. sometimes I have a bad since of humor from my foot in mouth disease.

I can do due metric but still think in the imperial system just old age.

Anyway, after consulting with the great internet and AI and doing a lot of research.
it seems that 2 of these battery's will work for starting, but I am looking at 3 for safety in repeated starting and stopping of the Motor for Autocross and short charging sessions.
My big concern is in charging of the battery's I know that over voltage will kill a battery, but they say 1.1 amp max charging rate.
at that rate it would take hours to recharge after starting the motor, I just cant get my head around it.
I know my way around electrical but not this micro stuff.
what would have to be done to isolate and cut the charging amps to the batters and keep full CCA and charging amps for lights, fuel pump and any other things? maybe a diagram would help me visualize it.

Wed Jan 08, 2025 3:25 am

I should take a look at my battery to see if it has a maximum charging rate on it. I was going to suggest running a generator instead of an alternator for it's lower output. I know that alternators charge harder at a lower RPM than generators too. I really don't need the extra output of a alternator on my Buggy but it came with the type 4 engine so I am using it.

Not sure what to suggest...

Wed Jan 08, 2025 3:39 pm

How about a lithium battery, 9" x 7" x 7" with 1000cca from Dakota Lithium? https://dakotalithium.com/product/dakota-lithium-1...y-1000cca/

Wed Jan 08, 2025 3:50 pm

I don’t know about the batteries you are suggesting, but I have seen some small batteries used on beach buggies. A couple I recognize are an AGM U1 battery (not a gel cell type) and the Odyssey PC680.

I recognized the Odyssey as it was a battery commonly used for EV racing before Lithium batteries were available. I know from experience that it can put out 800 amps at 6-1/2 volts for at least 12 seconds at a time, and do so with no noticeable damage. I also know if you push it to 850 amps it blows up. It seemed fine with fast charging too (we would push 100 amps in). I doubt that 16 pound battery would have a problem cranking over most any VW engine that could run on pump gas.

Wed Jan 08, 2025 9:20 pm

I use garden tractor batteries in my buggy. The biggest help when using small batteries is to use highly conductive cables. I have one on my street buggy mounted over the front beam. I use #4 welding cable for both + and - and the ground is attached right to the top starter bolt

Thu Jan 09, 2025 2:03 pm

Meanwhile, in my drag buggy back in the day. I used a heavy marine deep cycle battery. I had no charging system.

Sat Jan 11, 2025 7:19 am

The battery problem I had was that when I changed over to IRS the battery interfered with the trailing arm. I went looking for a shorter battery but I wanted a common one that I could buy anywhere, anytime off the shelf. I didn't want some oddball that had to be special ordered out of Timbuctoo made out of unobtanium.

I quickly found out that all on the shelf batteries are 7" high... period! The solution the was to buy the ATV one that was 1/2 the size (still 7" high), turn it sideways and move it to the front of the existing battery space.

Sat Jan 11, 2025 8:55 am

This battery is the highest CCA 230 I could find for the height,

it's a AGM Factory Activated, Maintenance Free

Voltage: 12
Capacity (10-HR): Amperage: 11.2 AH
Dimensions: 6.00 in x 3.44 in x 4.38 in
at it's Dimensions I can fit a 18.5W X 4 D X 5 tall battery box for 3 on the firewall 8.6lbs

The Specs. are from Yuasa battery from Japan around $140.00 each and I can get the Mighty Max Battery for 40.00 each.