Question on Optima 35 Battery Installation

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Old 06-21-2008, 03:44 PM
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Question on Optima 35 Battery Installation

Hello all i have a 2005 TSX and the battery is about to die so i decided to go off and get a sweet Optima battery...
I did read JTso post on it and i have some simple question
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=optima

1) Is there an Optima Battery that will fit the TSX without having to remove the plastic Oil Tray?

2) Is it dangerous installing the Optima 35 without the plastic tray?
I know the plastic tray is there for battery spills and the Optima does not spill battery acid BUT is putting the battery on a metal object really that smart?
I noticed the plastic battery tray had rubber in it which was under the battery which furthers my thinking that putting the battery on metal isnt the best idea

3) If i install the Optima that i just got what is the point of those red plastic trays that just came with the battery?
Check the link below for pictures regarding this question and read the comments on the picture

Here are some pics that i took ...
http://picasaweb.google.com/cytomax/...ryInstallation

Thanks in Advance
Eddie
Old 06-21-2008, 04:35 PM
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1. Optima has a yellow top p/n D51R which is a direct fit for the TSX. This battery was discontinued for awhile and now it's back in production.

2. No problem without the plastic tray.

3. I think you can use the red tray to support the battery from the bottom and it restores the mounting height. I didn't use the tray.
Old 06-21-2008, 04:53 PM
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What JTso said...

I also have 75/35 series Red top and they are amazing. The stock battery tray will NOT fit. Take the Optima battery tray, flip it, and install it upside down as a tray. It should fit in there no problem.

I also slide the stock anti-slip plastic between the Optima battery tray and where it sits to make sure it doesn't move.
Old 06-21-2008, 05:07 PM
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I have a 75/35 Red Top Optima.

I didn't use any tray, but it sits kinda low.

Maybe I should use that red thing it came with....

I did not like how the stock battery tie bar fit at all, so I
just machined a piece of aluminum to take it's place.

It works well and looks fine, I just need to raise it some or
trim the threads on the bolts for the tie system there...





I have it tightened well and it doesn't move anywhere.
Old 06-21-2008, 07:06 PM
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[QUOTE=MMsTSX]


QUOTE]

Nicely done MMsTSX, the stock tie bar is too narrow for the battery, I don't feel like paying $50 for some name brand battery tie, got an extra piece?
Old 06-21-2008, 07:25 PM
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Thanks for the replies guys....
Old 06-21-2008, 07:56 PM
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I like your tie down bar. It must be expensive to cut down from a larger piece to size.
Old 06-22-2008, 12:36 AM
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I would be careful with Optima they have a 60 percent failure rate. My buddy worked at autozone and they were coming back all the time. After doing some internet searching on this I have read through multiple forums of the same occurrence. Alot of this came from vendors who actually sold Optima batteries. I have heard good things about kinetik batteries.
Old 06-22-2008, 01:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Methodx
I would be careful with Optima they have a 60 percent failure rate. My buddy worked at autozone and they were coming back all the time. After doing some internet searching on this I have read through multiple forums of the same occurrence. Alot of this came from vendors who actually sold Optima batteries. I have heard good things about kinetik batteries.
Are you referring to all Optima batteries or a particular model?
Old 06-22-2008, 03:04 AM
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I'm sorry, but I wouldn't go with an Optima Battery. they are ^%$% IMO. I had a 51R in my TSX. 13months after install (yes there is a 12mo replacement warranty and that's it), one of the cells died. Read 12.8v when no load, but just turning the headlights on would show the culprit, one dead spiral cell. 10.6V does not start the car. I tried talking to the place I bought it, no dice, tried talking with Optima, same story. No one would even give me the time of day when they found out it was out of the 12 month warranty.

In my opinion, any company that doesn't stand behind their product and charges 40% more for less warranty, can just stop being in business.

I heard several horror stories about optima batteries recently with the high failure rates as well, but either way, it's bad when a company won't give any good faith help when it's obvious that their product was defective.

I'd try Orbitals... =oP
Old 06-22-2008, 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by JTso
[IMG]
I like your tie down bar. It must be expensive to cut down from a larger piece to size.
nah, it was cheap.
I have a connection or two at a local machine shop that I used to get
in there and do the work real quick.
just a 1/4" piece of aluminum stock.
they had it lying around, I grabbed it and machined it and was out.
I brought in a cardstock template.
was in and out in about an hour.

as for making more for others.... that's a possibility.
what would be a fair price?


and Optimas suck? huh? strange I never heard that before.
Old 06-22-2008, 12:19 PM
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No particular models, from red to yellow.
Old 06-22-2008, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by MMsTSX
as for making more for others.... that's a possibility.
what would be a fair price?

and Optimas suck? huh? strange I never heard that before.
I don't know how complicate is it, maybe $15-20 is that too little???

Originally Posted by Methodx
No particular models, from red to yellow.
That is such a broad statement, it's like people saying "He sucks" but they can't point out the details.

For real, the Optima did fxxk up their 51R line back then with a high failure rate. However, they have tighten their act but recalling it, since then I haven't heard any bad news from them. I'm using the RedTop 75/35 series for awhile and I can tell you in terms of CCA or reserve, they are doing an excellent job if not better than others.
Old 06-22-2008, 01:58 PM
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which is better, yellow or red?
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