Braille or Northstar Battery

[tjswarbrick]

Last fall I had a nice 1800 watt 7 speaker audio system installed in the 1er.
6 months ago I could run it a good hour with the engine off with no trouble.
Last night after maybe 20 minutes the idiot lights started popping up, and when I tried to restart 5 minutes later - no go.

Also, twice this week, it cranked a little slow and took a while to start.

So, I think a new battery is in my not-too-distant future.

A trusted vendor on here recommends an itty-bitty Braille "racing" battery. The B3121 for "High Electrical Demands."
It's only 6.5x5x7 inches and 21 lbs. Price if $242 is right inline with expectations, but it requires a $150 mounting bracket/adapter.

The Audio guys pretty much recommend a Northstar battery (NSB.) Standard "Group 48" battery - 11x7x7.5", 49 lbs. $260 pretty much everywhere.

I see Braille also makes a Group 48 AGM battery.
11x7x7.5, 45 lbs, but it's about $340.

Northstar is 880CA, 775CCA, 69AH with 135 minutes reserve. They actually have been known to test better than specified ratings.

Big Braille is 75AH, with 155 minutes reserve capacity noted from one of their suppliers, but "under 120 minutes" on Braille website. Has a crap-ton of Pulse Cranking Amps (2390, vs NSB at 1450), with 1560CA and 945CCA. Lots of juice. But I can't find an online battery test/comparison to see how valid the numbers are.

Little Braille battery is rated at 1380PCA, 742CA, 550CCA, 31AH, 75 minutes reserve.
I live in middle/Northern California so could probably get by with 550CCA just fine. But I don't race, have a 'vert, and have already added weight with the system as it is - so I don't think the benefits of the tiny battery will outweigh the cost (including mount) and limited performance for my situation.

Does anybody have experience with these Braille batteries? Or more info?
There is speculation that they are rebranded/proprietary DEKA / East Penn batteries - which are good, but not quite as highly regarded as the NSB.

Should I consider the Braille AGM48? Or just go with the Northstar?
There's also the East Penn DEKA Intimidator. Ratings put it just a fraction of a percent below the Northstar, and in testing it does well and meets specs but not quite as well as NSB. Save $100, though.


Thanks!