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Optima Battery Installation help

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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 10:31 AM
  #16  
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Biwanylo
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D's lvr Lady,

The bags did not go back in. 30 DEG. for 2 or 3 days a year is the coldes it gets here. I played around with the adapters and found the best fit. good luck. Brian
 
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 01:14 PM
  #17  
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Biwanylo:

Guess I understood the "bags" were more for HEAT from the engine and compartment than to help in the cold.

Comments, please, anyone?
 
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 01:33 PM
  #18  
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Originally posted by D'sl Lvr Ldy
Guess I understood the "bags" were more for HEAT from the engine and compartment than to help in the cold.
That is correct. Since the batteries make no heat of their own, a blanket would not be of much benefit in the winter.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 01:39 PM
  #19  
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Oppy - Thanks. I am getting to the point that I no longer know EXACTLY what to do here.

1) I use the "adapters" - got that, and understand what they are and how to use them (I think)

2) HOWEVER, do you put the bag back on???

3) And, if YES, then how do the adapters fit around the bag, etc., and still do their job?

4) If you DON"T put the bag back on, then I can see how everything would fit......HOWEVER

5) If the bag is a HEAT shield, then does it absolutely NEED to go back on or not??

 
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 02:07 PM
  #20  
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From: Dixie
I too have been thanking about the Optima but no one here sells them. I emailed http://www.dcbattery.com in FL heres their reply shipped to TN. If anyone else is having trouble finding them prices are
800s $110 .oo Dollars each including shipping and handling to your address.
800u $114 .oo Dollars each including shipping and handling to your address.
800r $115 .oo Dollars each including shipping and handling to your address. In Stock
 
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 02:24 PM
  #21  
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I'd put them back on, for no other reason than they were there to begin with. They probably aren't totally necessary anyway. Since the Optimas are dimensionally smaller, they'll probably fit kinda loose, so you might have to tuck them a bit to make 'em fit properly.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 03:15 PM
  #22  
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oppy & bravwolf -

Thanks you two. I have searched the 'net and locally on these batts.

Just emailed dcbattery.com and will see what they say about sending 'em over this way (Utah). Beiterbattery.com wanted an additional $25 for S&H (can't blame them) - but if DCbattery will send them INCLUDING shipppnig - THAT IS A STEAL!!!

You guys are all great! Appreciate it.

Still haven't heard from you who HAVE installed these - those with the bag insulation things - as to what you actually DID. Thanks for YOUR reply, Oppy. Makes sense.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 04:28 PM
  #23  
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Hi Dsl Luvr Ldy, did you purchase these batteries yet? Because it sounds like a lot of trouble for batteries that only sound ok to me. I dont know if you read my last reply on your other thread about my Interstate batteries I bought but not only do they kick some good butt ( 1000 CA and 875 CCA ) but they fit right in no problem with heat shield and all. I think the part code is mtp-65
 
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 04:46 PM
  #24  
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Kraken-

Thank you. And, yup it DOES seem like a lot of trouble. I have not ENTIRELY made up my mind yet. So, yes, your recommendations are STILL in the works.

I really LIKE the "idea" of the Optima's - because I would like to be able to "take these with me" when/if I sell this truck.

It does say 800 CCAs, 1100 CAs on the Optima 800U.

So, I am not "dissing" you. It's all still up in the air!!

Thanks. ( have Interstates on my travel trailer - and my brother swears by them. So, I am a believer there.)
 

Last edited by D'sl Lvr Ldy; Jan 27, 2004 at 04:52 PM.
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 08:39 PM
  #25  
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Dsl Luvr Ldy, I've had my Optima's for two years now. Earlier post I said one but it's been two. My bad. I haven't had a lick of trouble with them. Traditional batteries are great but I like the no hassle and piece of mind that go with them. As far as the heat shields are concerned, I just slipped them back over the two. There will be alot of room left but nothing a fold and a couple of staples wouldn't take care of. They are to protect the batteries from the heat so I'd put them back on to protect your investment. Friendly Tenn. advice!
 
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 10:37 PM
  #26  
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Horsecop:

Thanks. I suppose this is one of those - just do it and you'll know it's no big deal.

I noticed that you have the Tymar Intake, and that your's is also a '96 (but, yes, one of the BIG boys).

I presume you LIKE your Tymar - and that it has worked well for you....

(AND TO EVERYONE CONCERNED - I HAVE READ EVERY THREAD/POST I COULD ON THE TYMAR.)

....and I am thinking that with the Tymar there is plenty of room for the Optima's and they will not butt up against the current air filter that now sits straddle over the batts on the driver's side.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2004 | 11:01 PM
  #27  
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Thumbs up

Plenty of room for both. The only thing hard is getting the bottom half of the old air box out. I had to pull my Intake off last night to do a cross over mod and I checked the inside of the tube for grit and it was clean as a whisle. Here's a shot of it installed. Let me know if it came through. http://community.webshots.com/photo/...1839OEJKnfzfOX
Pictures tell alot.

Note: The optima has plenty of room for a stock air box.
 

Last edited by horsecop; Jan 27, 2004 at 11:07 PM.
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Old Jan 28, 2004 | 06:28 AM
  #28  
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D'sl Lvr Ldy
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Horsecop:

OKAY!! A picture is worth a thousand words, huh!!!

I see the Optima's are not in there (yet), but as I suspected, that whole compartment box changes and the room over the driver's side batt. is free.

Currently I have a K&N, not the stock air cleaner box. I am replacing the K&N - as whoever put it in did one of those crap job things, and you cannot connect the air box correctly at all. (I presume all of the red in your pic is part of the Tymar.)

Now, all of you K&N lovers - don't rag on me about replacing this priceless filter - I've read everything I could about them - you either love 'em or hate 'em. I don't "dislike" them - and if anyone wants this one when it comes off - hollar. It IS coming off.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2004 | 11:48 AM
  #29  
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I put my Optima's in about 2 months ago from TNA Motorsports - free shipping. Mine used both group 65 adapters front & back, but they are a bit taller and the cover on the intake side has to be trimmed to fit. Pitched the rotten (acid eaten) bag since it wouldn't fit tight around the battery anyway.

After doing it, I was wishing I had an intake setup with a canister filter so I could pitch the whole intake box and leave just a battery tray.

As far as durability, I've got an Optima with 5 years on it in my Toyota. Lead acids last 2 years in the AZ heat if you're lucky - all the testimonial I'd ever need
 
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Old Jan 28, 2004 | 06:39 PM
  #30  
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horsecop
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First, that's not my truck. Just thought you might want to see the Tymar installed. That truck is too clean. My bad.
My Optimas were in there before I put the Tymar in and I had plenty of clearance with the stock system.

Jschira I called Optima and the adapters are in the mail. Thanks for the info.
 
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