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Discussion Topic:
why use an optima battery?
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fenbach |
08-14-2011 @ 8:52 PM
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Member
Posts: 228
Joined: Dec 2009
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i need a new battery. what are the advantages/benefits of using a 6-volt optima battery rather than a traditional lead-acid battery? in a '36 ford. thanks.
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shogun1940 |
08-14-2011 @ 9:08 PM
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Posts: 464
Joined: Feb 2010
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I use two 6 volt optimas inseries on my 40, and after sitting for three or four months the car starts up, they are now 6 years old
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ford38v8 |
08-14-2011 @ 11:20 PM
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Senior
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Fenbach, There are several advantages, and two disadvantages: 1 + = 800 cold cranking amps as opposed to 600 CCA. 2 + = No acid spills, no outgassing means no damage to your car. 3 + = No voltage drop during long term storage. 4 + = Small size, mount in any position, even upside down. 5 + = Will conceal inside a Ford Script battery case for originality. 1 - = Top quality is expensive. 2 - = Gimme a while, I'll think of one.
Alan
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TomO |
08-15-2011 @ 8:15 AM
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Posts: 7271
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Alan, you missed the other disadvantage. When installing in a pre 1940 battery case, the battery carrier has to be modified to accept the taller Optima battery. Amazon has sales promotions on the 6 volt Optima quite often. I bought one at $120 including shipping and told a fellow club member about it, he got his for $115 including shipping.
Tom
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fenbach |
08-15-2011 @ 8:36 PM
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Posts: 228
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shogun1940, you say two 6-volt batteries in series. any chance you mean parallel? two in series = 12V. TomO, 38v8 mentions that the optima can be mounted upside down even. do you have any idea if the battery would fit under the floorboard of my '36 if i tip it? of course, i could get the measurements and check myself, but it thought you might know. thanks fellers.
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ford38v8 |
08-15-2011 @ 8:50 PM
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Fenbach, for the '36, due to the height of the Optima as TomO points out, it must be mounted on it's side. If I may offer a possible reason for Shogun's unusual installation, 6V may be syphoned off at the first battery, while modern accessories draw the 12V from the series hookup.
Alan
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JM |
08-15-2011 @ 9:45 PM
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Posts: 823
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I made this mounting for a 6V Optima battery in my '35 fordor sedan. The judges probably won't like it but I really like it. Hopefully there will be a picture here after I click on submit because it was not there when I clicked Preview JM Wow..that's a big picture! I forgot to mention that I can pop that Optima and it's mounting out and put everything back for a stock battery mounting in about 10 minutes. I do like the Optima battery though.
This message was edited by JM on 8-15-11 @ 9:52 PM
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TomO |
08-16-2011 @ 6:39 AM
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fenbach, You can secure the Optima any way that works for you. My post was meant for people that want to install the Optima in a Ford script case. How ever you mount it, make sure that you have a way to disconnect it when you put your car away for the night. I prefer to mount a disconnect switch in the grounded side of battery.
Tom
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oldford2 |
08-16-2011 @ 12:11 PM
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Posts: 275
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Just curious - I have seen several posts that say to put the battery shutoff on the ground side. Why not the negative? John
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ford38v8 |
08-16-2011 @ 12:20 PM
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Senior
Posts: 2789
Joined: Oct 2009
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I think the disconnect became popular for two reasons: Electric clocks would run down a battery, and a disconnect helps prevent auto theft. Unless you have an electric clock, I don't believe there is a valid reason to disconnect, especially with an Optima, as the Optima does not self discharge for months on end.
Alan
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