Key options / Braille battery

[andymlow]

Well my old Exoticare key finally died - the sliding mechanism disintegrated. I have emailed Andrew at Exoticare but no response. Does anybody know of any options out there more elegant than going back to the ugly stock style of key and fob? I seem to remember our system is the same as the Escort of the same vintage? Maybe someone makes something for that vehicle?

Second question... does anybody have direct experience with using a Li Braille battery? If so which one? About to order one this week. Expensive but since the car is a keeper I figure it may pay off in the long run with longer life and less hassles and about a 30-40 lb wt drop off the nose.

 

[usmcfred]

See link below ... pricey indeed!

https://www.braillebattery.com/index.php/braille/product_series/lithium_ion

 

[junior]

At these prices, you'd think searching for a battery for a specific car can be a little more user friendly.

 

[Specracer]

+1, which is the appropriate battery?

Also if you had the 1st gen, "stiletto" key (which I have), there was a gen 2 (switchblade) key, like an Audi or VW. Web site shows "back ordered" so I don't know if that ship has sailed, or if it will be available again. Hopefully Andrew will get back to you.

http://www.exoticare.ca/fordgt/

 

[Xcentric]

A Braille lithium battery for our GTs is about $500. If there is enough interest, I can try to get us a group buy price.

 

[Specracer]

I would be in. $500 is a lot, but isn't the appropriate Optoma $250?

 

[Xcentric]

I would be in. $500 is a lot, but isn't the appropriate Optoma $250?

I got some info on Braille options that I will put in a new thread dedicated to a limited time offer for the forum. When you see that, $500 will seem dirt cheap. :lol

The $500 battery is a 6.4 lb track battery that would technically work on a street car, but realistically only something with low power demand, like a hot rod with a Chevy V8. On a modern car, you'd have to be diligent about keeping it on a charger/tender. It only has about 1/2 the capacity of the OEM battery and is physically much smaller.

IDK how much the "Ford GT" labeled Optima is. The Group 25 Optima without Ford labeling is about $150 at Amazon, with free Prime shipping and Amazon's amazing "no questions asked" replacement within the warranty period.

As has been pointed out before, after Johnson Controls bought Optima, they determined the Optimas were over-built. They de-contented the batteries and since then the failure rate seems to have increased.

 

[07XL0027]

Do they still make the Optima labeled "Ford GT"? I went to my local Ford dealer to pick up a new battery and what was offered was a lead acid motorcraft replacement. Any suggestions for a new battery?


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[fjpikul]

Your dealer "should" have given you a new Optima red top with a Ford GT sticker on it. And if they didn't ask for proof of ownership and registration something is wrong. Maybe they thought you had a mustang.

 

[Awsum GT]

So you are saying the OEM battery is still available from some dealers with the GT on top?

 

[fjpikul]

What I'm saying is that there is no "GT" battery other than a regular red top that comes with a GT sticker on it.

 

[07XL0027]

The parts guy is a friend of mine and he knows I have a GT and I gave him my vin. The battery has a FORD GT part number but does not say FORD GT on it. It is made by motorcraft and is a lead acid battery. My local Austin Ford dealer contacted the Dallas Ford dealer that had one and they are the ones that stated it was lead acid based.


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[07XL0027]

I figured I'd buy a red top and see if I could the label reproduced off my Ford GT optima battery.


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[fjpikul]

07xl, send me a pm with your phone number.

 

[BlackICE]

The Optima batteries are lead acid based only they use AGM vs. Regular plates.

 

[roketman]

Ali I know is I turn the key and it starts!
What ever Rich and Dennis put in works great!