Battery 51R to a bigger one but which one ?
 

Hello!

I live in Montreal, Canada and lately it's been -25c to -39c, cold as fk. My Tsx '09 won't start like ever. This car has probably one of the worst battery size for it's category. Oem Acura lasted 3-4years from what i heard and got a new Interstate last year (51r) that won't start the car now. RIght now it's -21c and it didn't work either. I'm tired of this. I've read around in the forums here

https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...attery-940812/

that it's possible but here are some questions.

1. Is it safe ?
2. Would Acura do it for me ? I'm not the most technical guy
3. Would a block heater work best ?
4. Was looking for Optima Red Top 800CCA (overkill but i want the battery to be 100% working)
5. If #4 is a bad option, what would you guys recommend ?
6. Would the V6 battery (which i believe is around 680CCA) fit bolt on with the other proper Acura battery socket etc. ?

Thank you for your patience and understanding. I'm just really pissed right now and i'm thinking of selling this car for a Yaris just so i'm sure im going to get to work in the morning.

Max

Block heater should be a no brainer. Yes start with that... A block heater.

Optima is an excellent battery but there's an even better one...

Odyssey Extreme Series Battery Model PC925LMJT ($215).

330 CCA (900 CCA-5 SECOND), 28 HR.
Battery good down to -40°F (-40C).

Battery's life span is rated to last up to 3 times as long as an OEM battery.

red top called a day, easiest and fastest

Hello,

Thank you for the input. The red top won't fit unless i mod the battery rack so there's that. Also, If i get a much stronger battery 650CCA and up, wouldn't having a block heater be less usefull ? Since battery is much more powerful so the car will start.

Max

Hello,

Also, for this part "Odyssey Extreme Series Battery Model PC925LMJT" 330CCA won't start the car, 450 doesn't even get it started. Unless there's something i do not understand.

Max

The starting pulse current is actually 900 CCA. It's listed as 330 CCA over a 30 second cranking duration and still maintain a 12V.

Bottom line is this. Both batteries using the same technology but the Odyssey has more volume because it's not rolled (wasted space) so more volume equals larger capacity. Larger capacity will have more amps.

Either one will work. It's your choice but you should get the optima yellow instead of red for maximum life expectancy.

Block heater is only useful if you have 110V. Not going to help if you're away from home.

Block heater is of a great help in extreme cold. In addition, there is no substitute for a bigger battery. I have the 24F in my V6 - I understand that some folks in here have fitted that one in the L4, with only a tray change and different tie-downs. There are multiple aftermarket trays and tie downs you can buy, so I suggest experimenting with that.
Since you live in Montreal, you may want to pick up a Costco 24F battery - cost-effective and works great.

Hello,

Yea, good call on the "being away from home". Will look into odyssey! Thanks for the input. On a side note, i called Acura Ste-Julie (town close to where i live), from my experience they give the best service and they told me they've done that kind of modification for clients because indeed, 51R bartteries aren't strong enough in many cases.

Max

I too have bought PC925LMJT and awaiting to install this Spring. Bought it for the more volume with their design.

Hello guys!

Thought i would update this thread with what i've finally done. I know this cost me much more than a ghetto DIY fit but it does fit quite well. Here the parts i got that would fit a (Battery Size 24) on a Tsx 2009 (4cyl)

ACU 31512-SDB-A01
ACU 31513-SP0-010
ACU 31521-STK-A00
ACU 94050-06080

Cost me 110$ including taxes (CAD) and they didn't charge the battery switch, took them 15mins. I chose the Northstar NSB-AGM24 390$(CAD) because people around me would recommend that and also because Odyssey wasn't available where i was shopping for the battery. Upon the first start with the new battery the car exploded and 2 people died. Lol kidding. But seriously upon the first start there was A HUGEEEEEEE difference between the 51R (450cca) and the 24 (840cca). With the old battery i would crank the car and it would be slow (and when it was under -25c wouldn't start) and with the new one GOD DAMN it starts very fast. Very very happy with the purchase but overall this cost me 550$. Not for everybody but hey peace of mind has no price in my book.

Thanks for all the help, because of you guys i've been able to remedy my problem :).

Good day!

nice! any pictures?

Hello!

Sure thing! Here.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...6b18cf0605.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...bd64c88c27.jpg

nice, just look like came from V6 in an i4!

Hello,

Yea it is HUGE and very heavy actually. Was quite surprised. Battery salesman told me the heavier they are the more dense they are so the better they are. I do not know if it's true but seems possible.

Max

Hello Avenger 411, I read this post with great interest. I actually read the other posts on Acurazine and TSX club about mod'ing the TSX L4 engine chassis to fit the V6 size battery. I know they were recommending either cutting the L4 battery tray (since the TSX V6 battery tray apparently doesn't fit on the L4 chassis) or use the redtop Optima battery with a platform. Some just used zip ties, but I agree with you that I don't want to do any heavy cutting or reconfiguring the entire chassis. And I want a more elegant solution than using zip ties... I searched for your part numbers on the Acura part website and the battery tray/box is for the RDX as you can see at this link:

https://www.acurapartsforless.com/oe...BoCU8oQAvD_BwE

I just wanted to confirm with you that this is indeed the correct part you used to mod your car. If so - does the battery tray move around when you drive or shake it manually? Because I think the L4 battery tray has two indentations on the bottom of the tray that reasonably secures it into the chassis so it doesn't move around too much. Thank you and I'll look forward to hearing from you!

Sorry to be a putz, but please repeat after me, your 4-cylinder TSX has an "I4" engine, yes, an "I4" engine, not an "L4" engine.

Haha yes - inline 4, my fault - I'm a greeny to these thread so please condone the errors haha

No worries my friend; it's all good. :toocool:

The topic has been discussed in length. I am using an Optima Redtop group 35 and it fits perfectly in place of the stock 51r. I am located in Minnesota, and winters great really cold, similar to original poster. I also noticed an improved audio quality with the speaker upgrade. Expensive battery but it should be worth the investment.

Hello, I know Username 0 in the "Upgrade to V6 battery" did that as well. There he did order some parts to make it fit - wondering if you had to order any parts from Acura, if so can you provide the part number? If you used the 4 cylinder battery tray and the battery box, did the battery fit well in it? Thank you

That's where I got the information to do the upgrade.
No, I did not order any extra parts. I used the Optima tray like username 0 did and I barely got by without ordering the longer V6 rods and plate. The battery is fully secured but maybe one day I will buy the V6 components to "complete" the job.