[s-cars] Battery question

[Theodore Chen]

--- Lee Levitt <lee at wheelman.com> wrote:
> I spent some time on the Optima site and have a couple of questions:
> 
> 1 - they don't list an application for Audi. Is this because their battery
> does not have an external breather tube? Do you need one with this battery?
> (Of course the battery selector doesn't seem to work for *any* car I
> tried...)

that, and they don't have the right group size either.

> 2 - red versus yellow top - which is recommended and why? Any reason not to
> go with the yellow top?

just get the red.  the yellow top is for deep discharge, and you'll
pay more for it.  you don't need it unless you're constantly running
down the battery (see the recent power window relay and alarm threads).

> 3 - Are there different sizes of Optima? What model are people buying?
>
> 4 - Any installation gotchas?

there are different sizes, but i just bought the one at costco.  i
forgot the group size.  it's a bit taller than the stock battery,
and the terminals are reversed.  just pull the battery cables to get
some slack.

the battery will stick up a little.  still plenty of room for it under
the seat, but make sure you cover the positive terminal.  i bought a
vinyl boot to cover it.

i had to modify the hold down clamp slightly to make room.  the optima
is a bit wider at its base.  two minutes with a small round file to slot 
the clamp, allowing the clamp to sit slightly further away from the battery.

-teddy





	
		
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