Optima Battery

[The Chad]

Hi all, after thinking long and hard, and with too many batteries going dead on me, I've decided to invest in a Optima D34 Yellow top battery. The problem I have is, I want to fit it on the original battery shelf but the optima is at least 1" longer, and can't be secured down like the normal batteries do. What is the best way I can keep it in place?
Someone recommended using an old belt to secure it, but I'm not to keen on that idea. Any help would be great.
My Punto is an 96, 1.6mpi.

 

[Blood Junkie]

Don't they do a straight swap version? If not, try looking at a red top.

I had an Optima yellow top in my old Sierra about 10 years ago. They really are worth the money.


I have cable ties that are really long and thick. You could try getting a couple of those. (Flag down a friendly Openreach engineer, most of us carry these long straps)

 

[volxstu]

The Red Top is slightly bigger than the Yellow i think but if you look on ebay they do have some high performance batteries that have a more varied range of sizes.
Also this will be a bit useless if you do not upgrade the Alternator as a major factor of a better battery is better power delivery around the car and this would be useless if you cant distribute it properly.

Another thing that you can do is get a second battery relay and put it in the spare wheel bay. It may seem a bit expensive but as i found out it is probably going to save you money on the wiring as you dont need so much power cable.

 

[paulbfd]

Before splashing out on a battery have you upgraded "the big three"?

Basically fit larger cable to:

Battery -> Earth
Alt -> Battery
Alt -> Earth (if applicable)

This will reduce voltage drop in the system and helps loads.

 

[The Chad]

Re: Optima Battery - Cables

Thanks for your replies, I saw the big 3 comment on another thread, and gonna go for the upgrade at the same time. Just not sure what cables would be best, I've seen these for sale:http://www.bansheemotorsport.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1051_2844_3494_4266&products_id=14379

They seem good value for money, as similar cables cost around 3 times as much for the same gauge, or do you think these cables are just not very good? They also do a 0AWG for £9.20 a metre, but that might be over kill.

Also I have some thicker cable ties on order now, do you think they will be ok to hold the battery? Say if I coil them around the battery 4 times.
The alternator will be next on the list after the wires and battery are fitted although not sure what alternator I'll be looking for?

 

[paulbfd]

Re: Optima Battery - Cables

What equipment are you running?

How much power (RMS) do your amp/s make?

 

[The Chad]

Re: Optima Battery - Cables

Its two 12" 1200Watt subs run by a 1800Watt mono bass amp, poss may get a further amp for vibe 6x9s but thats in the future. Reason for a bigger better battery is because I'm also running neons and I don't use my car for work, so the battery doesn't get charged everyday, and I drive at night mostly so the lights are always on and gently kills my current battery (third one in three years).

 

[Blood Junkie]

Forgot this earlier..

Remember if the battery is taller than standard to check it won't short out on the underside of the bonnet. And don't rely on any sound-proofing for adequate protection.

 

[gazzaman2k]

yellow top should sort that out, altough if your altenators gone then itll last 2 weeks tops before it needs a recharge.

i had same problem with my seicento my yellowtop only lasted 2 weeks a time, found out it was altenator that had packed in, dunno how long it lasts now as my car hasnt been on the road in over 6 months lol