Change Batt+ Lead when installing Optima?
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From: Connecticut
Change Batt+ Lead when installing Optima?
Anyone who has installed an Optima red top or similar battery...
The battery itself fits in well, but the Batt+ leads are curved at the end to fit the Interstate. However, the Optima posts are more offset from the edges, so that the curved + lead won't reach the post. The battery cable clamp is heavy-duty metal and I can't flatten it out by hand (imagine my best Lou Ferrigno impression here) and since its attached to the car I can't get it over to the vise/hammer.
Is there a trick? Did anyone have to cut off their Batt+ lead and reinstall another when changing batteries?
Thanks!
The battery itself fits in well, but the Batt+ leads are curved at the end to fit the Interstate. However, the Optima posts are more offset from the edges, so that the curved + lead won't reach the post. The battery cable clamp is heavy-duty metal and I can't flatten it out by hand (imagine my best Lou Ferrigno impression here) and since its attached to the car I can't get it over to the vise/hammer.
Is there a trick? Did anyone have to cut off their Batt+ lead and reinstall another when changing batteries?
Thanks!
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From: FF county, Connecticut
I installed the red top (from costco) just last year, I remember it was a plug and play.
I have a '97 which can be have different wiring.
btw. I am in Stamford, if you want to swing by and see :-)
I have a '97 which can be have different wiring.
btw. I am in Stamford, if you want to swing by and see :-)
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From: St. Louis
John
You bought the wrong Optima Red Top. The model you want is the 75/35 which has the terminals near the edges.
Here's a pic of a 75/35:
You bought the wrong Optima Red Top. The model you want is the 75/35 which has the terminals near the edges.
Here's a pic of a 75/35:
Last edited by STLPCA; Jul 23, 2013 at 03:46 AM.
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From: Los Angeles, CA (Brentwood) & New York, NY (Tribeca)
Originally Posted by Dan 96C2 St.Louis
John
You bought the wrong Optima Red Top. The model you want is the 75-35 which has the terminals near the edges.
You bought the wrong Optima Red Top. The model you want is the 75-35 which has the terminals near the edges.
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...a+installation
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From: St. Louis
Originally Posted by Stevarino
Dan is right. Try the 75-35 or the D35 (Yellow Top) - the yellow top model is new and may be a better application. For more information, see:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...a+installation
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...a+installation
Red Top 75/35
+ roughly 10% higher CCA (0 deg F) & CA (32 deg F) than YT
+ weighs 4 lbs less than YT
+ less espensive than YT
Yellow Top D35
+ recovers from deep discharges much (7x) better than RT
+ less voltage drop when unused over time than RT
In short, for a daily driver the RT may be more advantageous. For a less used or stored car the YT is likely a better choice.
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From: Gemantown, TN
John - Dan is probably right, however, I put in the same one you have about 2 years ago. I got ot at one of the mail order places, supposedly for my car. Anyway, I remember I had to flatten out the connection and I think I may have removed one of the "clips" holding down the wire on the trunk floor. I flattened the connection by using a rubber mallet (or hammer) and a piece of wood in the trunk to protect the floor of the trunk.
