CX-3 Battery replacement

**the_secretary** · May 6th, 2020 10:31 AM

Thanks everyone. Will definitely look into the trickle charger.

I'm thinking about the Panasonic EFB battery. How much does it usually cost? If the Yuasa EFB directly from Mazda will cost 14,500, how much would the Panasonic be? However, I'm also thinking about using Motolite's battery as a temporary measure, since most shops are still closed. Their website recommended the Excel 1SM (the green one), but I'm guessing this isn't an EFB, correct?

I'm really just thinking of the worst case scenario since I need to be mobile in the event of an emergency. Any recommendations on where to get the Panasonic battery? Model number?

**yapoy86** · May 6th, 2020 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by the_secretary

Thanks everyone. Will definitely look into the trickle charger.

I'm thinking about the Panasonic EFB battery. How much does it usually cost? If the Yuasa EFB directly from Mazda will cost 14,500, how much would the Panasonic be? However, I'm also thinking about using Motolite's battery as a temporary measure, since most shops are still closed. Their website recommended the Excel 1SM (the green one), but I'm guessing this isn't an EFB, correct?

I'm really just thinking of the worst case scenario since I need to be mobile in the event of an emergency. Any recommendations on where to get the Panasonic battery? Model number?

Here are my observations for the i-stop system..

I believe regular battery will also work.. charging systems are the same.

Setting the temp to 18 deg will make i -stop "not ready" given how hot our climate is.. also i observed that even if you set the temp to 18 deg.. the aircon compressor still cycles On and Off.. so dont worry setting it at 18 deg..its not like the regular toyota that controls cabin temp by turning off the compressor if it reaches the setting.. climate control mix hot and cold air to achieve desired temp! So if you feel that setting it to around 20 deg will save you fuel.. youre wrong coz the compressor still run to maintain cold air mixed with hot air

EFB requirement coz the system can trigger even if the battery is not yet fully charged which will make regular battery suffer. But if you set you aircon temp to 18 deg. I-stop trigger will take longer (at night it took more than 30 mins before i-stop lit green and during the day.. almost impossible) and your battery will have the chance to get full charge. Without aircon i-stop can be ready within 10 mins or less of driving

As observed.. i stop only triggers around 5 secs and the system restarts the engine.

**Lakwatsero** · May 6th, 2020 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by yapoy86

I-stop trigger will take longer (at night it took more than 30 mins before i-stop lit green and during the day.. almost impossible) and your battery will have the chance to get full charge. Without aircon i-stop can be ready within 10 mins or less of driving

As observed.. i stop only triggers around 5 secs and the system restarts the engine.

My experience differs. I-stop is ready within 5 to 10 minutes even on a hot day. Lasts close to 2 minutes at night, daytime maybe a minute depending on outside temp and AC settings.

Mind you this was with an EFB that's close to 2 years old. I also read that i-stop lasts shorter the older the battery gets but personally didn't notice.

**Lakwatsero** · May 6th, 2020 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by the_secretary

Thanks everyone. Will definitely look into the trickle charger.

I'm thinking about the Panasonic EFB battery. How much does it usually cost? If the Yuasa EFB directly from Mazda will cost 14,500, how much would the Panasonic be? However, I'm also thinking about using Motolite's battery as a temporary measure, since most shops are still closed. Their website recommended the Excel 1SM (the green one), but I'm guessing this isn't an EFB, correct?

I'm really just thinking of the worst case scenario since I need to be mobile in the event of an emergency. Any recommendations on where to get the Panasonic battery? Model number?

I went non-EFB for my third battery but Amaron, not Motolite since I deactivate i-stop anyway. Most from the clubs do the same without issue. Still lasted at least 2 years so close to same lifespan as the EFB kind.

**yapoy86** · May 6th, 2020 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Lakwatsero

My experience differs. I-stop is ready within 5 to 10 minutes even on a hot day. Lasts close to 2 minutes at night, daytime maybe a minute depending on outside temp and AC settings.

Mind you this was with an EFB that's close to 2 years old. I also read that i-stop lasts shorter the older the battery gets but personally didn't notice.

The question is.. what is your aircon temp setting? Place the dial at 18 deg. If you check on the fuel economy monitor when you put the dial at 18, the blue shade on the aircon will disappear.. put it one click above 18 blue shade will appear and i-stop will be ready

**Lakwatsero** · May 6th, 2020 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by yapoy86

The question is.. what is your aircon temp setting? Place the dial at 18 deg. If you check on the fuel economy monitor when you put the dial at 18, the blue shade on the aircon will disappear.. put it one click above 18 blue shade will appear and i-stop will be ready

Guess I missed your 18c temp setting. Never really bothered going down that far, I just leave it on 23-24c with eco. More than enough for a summer noon imo.

Based on experience, AC compressors don't last as long at lowest thermostat vs leaving it at 24c and let the auto climate do the rest. I also prefer higher blower vs lower temp since blowers are much cheaper to replace.

**yapoy86** · May 6th, 2020 03:16 PM

Leaving it at 23 or 24 deg will not make your compressor last longer. For cars without climate control it will matter because the more you go higher the longer the compressor works.. but for cars with climate control the compressor will run to maintain cold air.. now if you set to say 23 deg, the system will just mix hot air to your air vents to achieve 23 deg..

As i have observed.. at 18 deg mazda compressor still turns off and on.. it may work harder at 24 deg coz your system is mixing hot air into the cabin..

You can observe this with your car.. you can feel the compressor disengaging even at 18deg

**Lakwatsero** · May 6th, 2020 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by yapoy86

Leaving it at 23 or 24 deg will not make your compressor last longer. For cars without climate control it will matter because the more you go higher the longer the compressor works.. but for cars with climate control the compressor will run to maintain cold air.. now if you set to say 23 deg, the system will just mix hot air to your air vents to achieve 23 deg..

As i have observed.. at 18 deg mazda compressor still turns off and on.. it may work harder at 24 deg coz your system is mixing hot air into the cabin..

You can observe this with your car.. you can feel the compressor disengaging even at 18deg

Again I'm basing this on experience. Haven't had AC problems with any of my autos left at 23-24C Auto for the past decade, Mazda including. Ultimately its your car so feel free to set it as you desire.

**the_secretary** · May 8th, 2020 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by Lakwatsero

I went non-EFB for my third battery but Amaron, not Motolite since I deactivate i-stop anyway. Most from the clubs do the same without issue. Still lasted at least 2 years so close to same lifespan as the EFB kind.

What type of Amaron battery should I be looking for? Any specific model? Or just any non-EFB Amaron battery? I'm guessing these cost more than Motolite.

**Lakwatsero** · May 8th, 2020 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by the_secretary

What type of Amaron battery should I be looking for? Any specific model? Or just any non-EFB Amaron battery? I'm guessing these cost more than Motolite.

Amaron Pro with 24 months warranty. Cheaper than Motolite Excel by a few hundred.