DSE VP BA 004 Gen V 8 Pound Lithium Ion Battery Kit

[SSGNRDZ_28]

I’m excited to introduce this lightweight battery kit. This is an 8 lb lithium ion battery, charger, and bracket kit which is a completely bolt-in kit for the Gen V Viper. This kit saves about 25 lbs from my OEM 56029646AA battery, which weighs in at 32.7 lbs.

There are a lot of batteries on the market. Why this one? This is a built-to-order battery that is reasonably priced, safe, and built to last. Instead of just welded tabs, the cells are secured by nuts with copper bus bar and insulating layers between. There are several other internal features that make these mechanically robust.
• Designed for Starting Vehicles = Longer Life
• Wide Operating Temperature Range
• Robust Internal Construction
• Vibration and Shock Resistant

In addition, these are very electrically safe. I’ve not seen any other Lithium battery on the market with the all protection in these have. Many times there is very little or no internal protection. The protection is both at an individual cell level but also an overall battery level. Safety Protection Internal To Battery:
• Cells Individually Protected
• Over Charging
• Over Discharge
• Short Circuit
• Penetration
• Thermal Shock
• Protection from fires
• Protection from explosions

Charger: I have included a charger with the kit with an algorithm specifically designed for this battery. A compatible charger is very important for battery safety and long life. For convenience the battery has a push-button voltage display on top. An aluminum bracket compatible with the OEM holes completes the kit. I do recommend to taking the extra step to keep this battery on the included charger when the car is sitting in storage for a long period as a precaution against parasitic current draw. (DSE offers a nice connector-mount kit to make that convenient, too.) While it would be protected from a complete drain it isn't ideal or convenient to have a low battery when you go to start your Viper.

Who is this battery kit for? Almost any Gen V Viper owner that wants to save significant weight (Other gens or vehicles OK too just no bracket kit for those as of yet, contact me directly).

Who is this battery not for? People with huge stereo systems or devices that cause abnormally high amounts of electrical draw, people who want to sit in the car and listen to the radio for long periods of time without the engine running. People who drive in freezing temps a lot (all Lithium Ion batteries of this type do not charge well under freezing temperatures or discharge well under -20C, while not common on a Viper the reduced battery capacity at these temperatures should be taken into consideration.)

What does DSE know about lithium ion batteries? I have been the provider of lithium ion battery pit and garage support equipment for IndyCar since 2012 (amongst other products and projects.)

Is it safe? The chemistry in these and other automotive type lithium ion batteries are lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo 4) which is inherently safer than the chemistries used in such products as Samsung cell phones and 787 Dreamliners. There are always risks but all of the items listed above greatly reduce them. What makes a LiOn battery unsafe? Poor design, poor/cheap manufacturing, mismatched application, incorrect charger, no protection circuitry.... There are lighter batteries on the market but the ruggedness of this one and a bit more capacity I feel is a good compromise for the application.

The kit is priced at $875. The batteries take ~2 months to build, so we are probably looking at April - May delivery. To guarantee a spot in this run, please order by Feb 26, I'll be basing my stock on what orders I have at that time: http://www.dougshelbyengineering.com/viper.html (scroll to the bottom)

Electrical specs: 900 CCA and 18AH

On the Scale:
IMG_0845.jpg

Bracket Rendering:
Bracket Rendering.jpg

Installed:
IMG_0863.jpg

OEM Battery Weight:
IMG_0861.jpg

[ViperPete]

Great work. I'm sure the racing guys here would love to have this. I have plans for a big stereo so i'll actually need a second battery eventually.

Good luck selling!

[BlueAdder]

How long do you reckon the battery will last?
I'm asking because I use smaller (motorcycle) batteries in my Elise and they usually die after a little over a year...
The Battery+ shop guys LOVE me!

[SSGNRDZ_28]

How long do you reckon the battery will last?
I'm asking because I use smaller (motorcycle) batteries in my Elise and they usually die after a little over a year...
The Battery+ shop guys LOVE me!

Everything highlighted above is also to hopefully ensure a long life. The conditions that I can think of that would shorten a batteries life have been either protected against or considered in the design. That's about all I can say at the moment without years of testing.

[BlueAdder]

Everything highlighted above is also to hopefully ensure a long life. The conditions that I can think of that would shorten a batteries life have been either protected against or considered in the design. That's about all I can say at the moment without years of testing.

Makes sense, thanks for the info.
That's pretty cool stuff and I very well may get me one of them light batteries

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Just spent some time sorting out some shipping options for the UK... bottom line is yes these batteries can be shipped internationally but the hazardous material fees do add up a bit... Contact me for details if you are interested.

[One Viper Bite]

I see this battery is not good for people with huge stereo systems...

So does that include people with the 18 speaker Harmon Kardon factory system? I think it cranks out 900 Watts.

[SSGNRDZ_28]

I see this battery is not good for people with huge stereo systems...

So does that include people with the 18 speaker Harmon Kardon factory system? I think it cranks out 900 Watts.

If your car is stock electrically there should be no issues. The alternator has enough capacity to power all of the electronics systems plus overhead (battery charge etc.) while the car is running. I was mostly referring to aftermarket stereos. The battery capacity is large enough to perform very well under what most owners would call normal circumstances.

If you were to upgrade your stereo beyond the alternator capacity or even right at the limit you should really upgrade your alternator otherwise you are just draining the battery while you're driving around (with head lights, wipers, AC). In that case this battery would also be sufficient because the alternator still powers the vehicle systems when the engine is running. (Imagine driving at night and the bass hits and your headlights dim, this means your alternator isn't keeping up).

If you want to run your 18 speaker stereo, headlights, AC for 40 minutes while the car isn't running while charging your phone, etc. you'll probably want a larger battery. This is when more amp hours gives you more reserve. There are people on these forums running batteries less than half the capacity of this one. You can get by on this if you are careful with the use of electrical accessories. I consider this DSE kit to be a very "safe" light weight battery capacity-wise for many types of owners. The reserve capacity of this battery is close to OEM, the cranking amps are better than OEM, the weight is 25% of OEM.

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Great work. I'm sure the racing guys here would love to have this. I have plans for a big stereo so i'll actually need a second battery eventually.

Good luck selling!

Thank you, might consider 2 of these and still save weight over OEM!

[ViperPete]

Thank you, might consider 2 of these and still save weight over OEM!

Hmm that is a thought....

[Chorps]

Very cool, Doug!

You should consider a bundle with the battery cover. :-)

[SilveRT8]

Great product ! Win-win for those who want a lighter car and got the money

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Very cool, Doug!

You should consider a bundle with the battery cover. :-)

Thank you, I need to measure a Gen IV car and get a bracket designed.

Great product ! Win-win for those who want a lighter car and got the money

Thanks. I Really don't see a downside to this battery under normal conditions and its a good bang for your buck if you want to spend the money for the weight savings.

[dewilmoth]

The well thought out bracket with the machined holes for the battery voltage indicator and push button is refreshing to see. Very nice looking design.

[fuggles]

I would love a gen 4 version if you had one. Seems the gen 4 terminals are on opposite sides of gen 5. gen 4 has positive on the left. Maybe it would fit backwards?

[dewilmoth]

I would love a gen 4 version if you had one. Seems the gen 4 terminals are on opposite sides of gen 5. gen 4 has positive on the left. Maybe it would fit backwards?

I'd be willing to bet he can have the battery built with swapped terminals. Most high end battery manufacturers give the option.

[SSGNRDZ_28]

The well thought out bracket with the machined holes for the battery voltage indicator and push button is refreshing to see. Very nice looking design.

Thanks!

I would love a gen 4 version if you had one. Seems the gen 4 terminals are on opposite sides of gen 5. gen 4 has positive on the left. Maybe it would fit backwards?

I'd be willing to bet he can have the battery built with swapped terminals. Most high end battery manufacturers give the option.

In this case the way the terminals sit above the battery case I think it should work just to mount the battery 180 degrees, I just need to measure a Gen IV for a bracket. This would save cost to have a common battery across the different years.

[Stealth78]

Awesome as always Doug! I will be following along with the other GenIV folks. Something I really may consider.

[1evilviper]

I'll definitely take one!

[SSGNRDZ_28]

I'll have the first bracket by Monday and will post photos. Anyone who is interested in the first run can order before the 28th.

I'm also going to be working on a Gen IV bracket in the near future.

Thanks
Doug

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Here is the aluminum bracket installed on the car. It holds the battery very securely. Since it is lighter than the OEM steel brackets it brings the total weight of the kit just below 8 lbs. I'm very happy with how it turned out. Note the brackets will be finished in black for production.

Thanks
Doug

Aluminum Bracket.jpgPrototype Bracket Installed 2.jpgPrototype Bracket Installed.jpg

[Ludington1]

Looks awesome, Doug!

[slowhatch]

Looks like another well engineered piece Doug. Been running almost your entire catalog in my gen 4 coupe, never been disappointed.

[Steve-Indy]

Any update on the fitment trial for Gen III and IV Vipers ?

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Any update on the fitment trial for Gen III and IV Vipers ?

Yes sir, (how did you know I work on Saturday??) once I make sure I can get the battery produced with the pos / neg studs reversed I will post in the Gen III / IV section. Should be an easy fit, bonus is the battery is shorter than OEM so even more clearance to the battery cover. Will have a similar bracket.