[s-cars] Type 41

[Tom Green]

You would think Optima would make more types than the 3 mass market  
batteries that are available at most retailers.  When they went to the  
mass market sales approach several years ago they left out the odd  
size users, and cheapened the battery as well.  I guess it works for  
them since they have the brand recognition to still charge a premium  
price.  I suppose that is my main objection to them.  With a little  
work, you can overcome the other issues.  Just laying the battery down  
in the hole is a big cause of tech failures many places, and,  
depending on the track location, not easy to come up with a quick  
fix.  It is on the tech sheet since it is one of the heaviest items  
that potentially can come loose, after wheels.

There are hold-down clamps made for the battery, but IME most retail  
stores that carry the batteries do not have any of the accessory  
parts, and that is where I see most guys buying the Optima.

I bought Odyssey batteries on a commercial account so that helped with  
price, but they are still expensive with little to gain over a  
standard battery, except maybe heat tolerance.  I did like all the  
service at the battery store.

What you need is a submarine battery array, or part of one. Since they  
are scrapping so many there should be lots of surplus around.  Even  
the Nucs have battery packs.

Tom

On Dec 29, 2010, at 6:08 PM, brian hoeft wrote:

> Good points Tom. I wasn't considering my personal use being  
> different than typical use. BTW, my positive post is covered by  
> plastic, the former mouse pad is at the bottom where the fabricated  
> pieces are. I have passed tech inspection at all the events I've  
> attended and would think Englishtown -if not Maple Grove- in the  
> overly litigious state of NJ would have given me a problem if it was  
> not secured well enough.
>
> You're right on the height, I wasnt considering how I've probably  
> had the 2 seat screws in the rear ash tray for years, being my dog  
> is 5 now and I have gone through several pieces of fabric wrapped  
> around my (still very nice) leather in a burrito-ish fashion. The  
> seat still drops into place though and you just inspired me to go  
> check the post spacing to the seat frame.. closest metal is only an  
> inch away.. hmm kinda dont like it now that i'm thinking about it. I  
> seldom have more than one passenger, but have been the host of  
> several VT road trips with 200lb'ers in the back seat. Maybe you  
> just changed my mind, and I do have a new 41 given to me but I chose  
> to use it for my homes solar backup, and the Optima would probably  
> be better suited for that being closer to the other batteries' I'm  
> using for that which have the ability to drain and still hold a re- 
> charge.
>
> -Brian
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> .
>
> On Wed, Dec 29, 2010 at 10:45 AM, Tom Green <trgreen at comcast.net>  
> wrote:
> The Optima battery is considerably taller than the original battery as
> well, and has no provisions
> for clamping it in place upright or on its side.  It won't pass a tech
> inspection unless it is properly
> secured.  Since it is not a true type 41 but a universal fit, the
> posts are centered instead of on
> the corners, meaning my positive cable would not stretch to fit with
> it upright.  A 200 lb passenger
> could easily compromise your mouse pad protector and feel the positive
> post even before it
> made contact with a conductive seat coil.
>
> Although the Optima is manufactured locally in Nashville, I don't
> support using one in a
> vehicle it does not fit.
>
> Tom
>
> On Tuesday December 28, 2010, at 11:47 PM,  brian hoeft <qweblog at gmail.com
>  >  wrote:
>
> > I like my Optima red top and IIRC I got around the fitiment issue
> > with a
> > rubber padded washer from the local hardware store, a small piece of
> > 1/4"
> > square bar stock and cut a strip away from some promo mouse pad
> > handout
> > bound for the trash bin, being a freak about preventing abrasion.
> >
> > I think some of the horror stories are attributed to the rear seat
> > frame
> > grounding itself on an unprotected + post, but that will happen with
> > gel
> > cells or conventional electrolyte types.
> >
> > -Brian