Ordered a new Optima 34R battery only to find out that the 10" length does not fit the 9 3/4" tray. The battery that came out of the car is dated 12/07 and is not an R, but is 9" and fits well.
The base of the new one has some extra plastic on either side at the base of the battery that can possibly be trimmed to fit the tray, however the margin of error is 1/16" and that seems risky.
Is there an alternative Gel battery out there that fits or is it recommended to trim the bottom?
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Full Version: Not Overly Optimistic on Optima:
Odessey 925.
I would not use an Optima battery any more.
Zach
I would not use an Optima battery any more.
Zach
Jeffrey,
I can not put my hands on the photos I took of the red top that I put in my 76 a few years ago. It is somewhere under a posting by me. I show a couple of angles and the saw. I show the battery and a low-cost keyhole or drywall saw that I used to do the cutting. This is very easy to do and it will fit without screwing up the battery.
You can do it without any problems.
I would not steer you wrong bud! The Optima factory in Mexico is making battery units for the last few years.
Bob B. burton73
I can not put my hands on the photos I took of the red top that I put in my 76 a few years ago. It is somewhere under a posting by me. I show a couple of angles and the saw. I show the battery and a low-cost keyhole or drywall saw that I used to do the cutting. This is very easy to do and it will fit without screwing up the battery.
You can do it without any problems.
I would not steer you wrong bud! The Optima factory in Mexico is making battery units for the last few years.
Bob B. burton73
QUOTE(burton73 @ Jan 3 2020, 07:03 PM) 
Jeffrey,
I can not put my hands on the photos I took of the red top that I put in my 76 a few years ago. It is somewhere under a posting by me. I show a couple of angles and the saw. I show the battery and a low-cost keyhole or drywall saw that I used to do the cutting. This is very easy to do and it will fit without screwing up the battery.
You can do it without any problems.
I would not steer you wrong bud! The Optima factory in Mexico is making battery units for the last few years.
Bob B. burton73
Awesome because I just found out that I can't return it on Amazon!
Dude! I was just researching battery options yesterday and was about to text you to see what battery you used for your build. While searching yesterday, I came across Bob's post on trimming the Optima: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...t&p=2716301
QUOTE(bbrock @ Jan 3 2020, 07:54 PM)
Dude! I was just researching battery options yesterday and was about to text you to see what battery you used for your build. While searching yesterday, I came across Bob's post on trimming the Optima: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...t&p=2716301
Nice, that's the exact cut I was going to make! The previous Optima that came out of the car is dated 12/07. 12 years of battery life is good enough for me.
Wait til you see my next post on antenna anxiety!
I just purchased the Optima 8020-164 group 35 red top, fits perfect and the stock battery hold down fits snug.
I just had to keep the positive terminal terminal longitudinal in the car to clear the rain tray.
I just had to keep the positive terminal terminal longitudinal in the car to clear the rain tray.
QUOTE(djway @ Jan 4 2020, 03:09 AM)
I just purchased the Optima 8020-164 group 35 red top, fits perfect and the stock battery hold down fits snug.
I just had to keep the positive terminal terminal longitudinal in the car to clear the rain tray.
Do you have a pic of your install? Trying to picture the terminal config you describe.
Thanks.
QUOTE(burton73 @ Jan 3 2020, 08:03 PM)
Jeffrey,
I can not put my hands on the photos I took of the red top that I put in my 76 a few years ago. It is somewhere under a posting by me. I show a couple of angles and the saw. I show the battery and a low-cost keyhole or drywall saw that I used to do the cutting. This is very easy to do and it will fit without screwing up the battery.
You can do it without any problems.
I would not steer you wrong bud! The Optima factory in Mexico is making battery units for the last few years.
Bob B. burton73
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=310343
post # 8
* edit Sorry I didn't see bbrock's link
QUOTE(burton73 @ Jan 3 2020, 07:03 PM)
Jeffrey,
I can not put my hands on the photos I took of the red top that I put in my 76 a few years ago. It is somewhere under a posting by me. I show a couple of angles and the saw. I show the battery and a low-cost keyhole or drywall saw that I used to do the cutting. This is very easy to do and it will fit without screwing up the battery.
You can do it without any problems.
I would not steer you wrong bud! The Optima factory in Mexico is making battery units for the last few years.
Bob B. burton73
@burton73 Comes through in the clutch!
@bbrock Check my install. BTW the battery hold down clamp is NOS
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Pict
When I get some time I will straighten up my wires.
When I get some time I will straighten up my wires.
The plot thickens......hello BatterycablesUSA.com
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Man. The hits just keep comin’ - that’s an easy one at least. Glad the battery worked out.
Power up! Now get on the road!
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