[biotechee]

I went to the Optima sight and searched for an Optima battery that will fit in our 968 & 944- site said no match!



Is there one that will fit / work? I definitely need a new battery and I think I'd like to go with the Optima if possible.



TIA.

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[Darryl]

[quote name='biotechee' post='35289' date='May 10 2007, 03:03 PM']I went to the Optima sight and searched for an Optima battery that will fit in our 968 & 944- site said no match!



Is there one that will fit / work? I definitely need a new battery and I think I'd like to go with the Optima if possible.



TIA.[/quote]



There is a thread on here entitled "lightweight battery" or something like that...I have info in there about the Redtop 35...it is a direct plug and play and the terminals are on the correct side. You may have to pull out some slack and/or re-route the ground cable slightly as I did, but it went right in...I purchased at www.batteriesareus.com



1 x Optima Red Top Group 35 battery RED35 (SC35A) = $116.95



Hope that helps.



- Darryl

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[Mark]

Somewhere in this thread

http://www.968forums.com/index.php?showtopic=3730

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[Darth Vadar]

Oh, boy, another great story about dealing with idiots!

I called my local "Batteries +" (which, I think, translates to Batteries plus no brains equals very low sales!) Asked for an Optima SC35R...

They needed the EXACT optima Part number... and BTW, what was I installing this battery into??? I should have said "NOYFB!", but the wife says I have to be more politically correct, so I said Porsche 968. Bad idea! Sorry, we don't sell any Optima battery for a Porsche 968... Yes, you do... I am sitting here looking at one installed in a 968, and it is a SC35R... No we don't and you have to have over 600 CCA for that car and BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...

So, I say, Fine I'll go buy one off the internet... just trying to help the local folks stay in business, and I hang up... But, I still need a battery, and I really wanted an Optima, and the jerk has made me upset, and so...

I looked up the thread that Mark mentioned above, and there in all it's glory, is the Optima, WITH a part number... So, I call "Idiots +" back, and say Have you got one of these 8020-164 Type SC35R Optimas in stock? And the village idiot replies "Just one!" So I ask him to hold it (plus two of those little round mushroom batteries that go in our lighted Porsche Keys, which I never use, but I like to have everything working!), hop in the old GMC parts hauler, and off we go. Get over to "Idiots +", and wait ten minutes for the clerk to write up a battery for a Gameboy for some poor gal with two whining brats hanging on her, and finally ask for my "8020-164 SC35R". And he says What are you going to use that in? Oh, no, I'm too smart for him this time!!! I say "A vehicle that needs a new battery!!!" He gives me a dirty look, and trundles off, finally to return with a dust covered battery that looks to have powered Noah's little adventure on the high seas! AND... one corner of the hold down strip at the base has been chewed off! And he wants $130.00 for this piece of crap! So, knowing that this is the VERY Last 8020-164 SC35R Optima in existence, I mention that this battery is damaged, and would he happen to have another??? He looks at it, says Oh, yeah, I guess it is, and off he goes into the bowels of the warehouse. Pretty quick, he comes back with ... you guessed it! A brand spanking new Optima 8020-164 SC35R, with 720 CCA's of raw power, still in it's shrink wrap package!!! Now, remember, they only had one of these! So, I ask How many of these do you have in stock? He says Oh, I think there are six of them on the shelf. Lying SOB's!!! So, long story short, I paid my money, and got the HE double hockey sticks out of there, before they wanted proof of what I was going to put it into, cause they sure weren't going to let me put it into no PORCH!!!

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[Mark]

LOL but glad you got it.

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[flash]

take care on placement - watch the little sheild on the hood as it comes down, and make sure it doesn't hit the terminal - it's pretty close

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[Darryl]

[quote name='flash' post='35332' date='May 11 2007, 09:45 AM']take care on placement - watch the little sheild on the hood as it comes down, and make sure it doesn't hit the terminal - it's pretty close[/quote]



Yeah, it's very close! I ended up fabricating a piece of plastic to go over the + post and secured it with multiple zip ties. My hold down bracket was missing, so had to build one of those too. If it doesn't slide around, hood clearance should be OK. Better safe than sorry...



- Darryl

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[biotechee]

Thanks for all the info fellas! I ordered the battery moments ago. Price is $129.95 from the folks at batteriesareus.com.

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[Dave]

Yup, that's the one. Make sure you cover the positive terminal (should always do this anyway - required for DE's and racing for reason).



I found the negative terminal actually is the one that has the tightest fit, but so far, so good.



I hit the local Batteries + store and never told them anything other than "it's going in a race car, do you have this specific size?".



Funny, one store wanted $169, the other $139. Pays to check around or order as noted above.

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[porsche]

       



Yep, fits like a charm (note the custom + terminal cover secured with zip ties).



Porsche

the finest $ can buy!

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[Dave]

Secure that baby with Red Racers Tape and you are GOOD TO GO!



Did anyone else have to use the little "under tray" that came with the battery in order to get the outboard holder to REALLY hold the battery in place? I had to admit the missed step (read instructions) to the spousal unit / team owner.



My pride is still recovering...

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[kodomokid]

[quote name='Darth Vadar' post='35324' date='May 11 2007, 02:32 AM']So, long story short, I paid my money, and got the HE double hockey sticks out of there, before they wanted proof of what I was going to put it into, cause they sure weren't going to let me put it into no PORCH!!![/quote]





Well see, that is part of the problem, you were going to put it into a Porch. My Porch just sits there as part of the house in front of my door. hehe <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> J/K!!!



On average how long has your Optima lasted? I have a yellow top and only after 3 years I am seeing some problems with it holding a charge past a week in my Passat. Had the car checked for drains and bad grounds and checked alternator...all check out fine. I also found the Optima at Costco and Sears Auto. Costco has only one size though.

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[rxter]

Anyone have a picture of the Optima 35 installed? Porsche's pictures seem to have gone away. I am concerned about the clearance as they appear to be 1/2" taller than the spec group 91 flooded batt.



I also see the Odyssey 1200 that would fit, but it's a bit puny at 540.



   



Thanks

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[flash]

optima 3478 is the correct one for our car



you can get it in red (normal duty) or yellow (deep cycle/marine)

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[JTP]

[quote name='kodomokid' timestamp='1179078898' post='35472']

On average how long has your Optima lasted? I have a yellow top and only after 3 years I am seeing some problems with it holding a charge past a week in my Passat.[/quote]



I had a red top Optima in my Early Bronco for over 11 years. Best battery I've ever owned.

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[flash]

one issue with gel batteries is that you can't let them die. you lose a lot more ability to charge each time you kill it than you do in a lead/acid battery. neither one likes it, but the gels like it less. you also can't over-charge them, or bad things happen.

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[rxter]

Indeed, but I would like to see pics of installations if anyone is willing cause I am worried about horking the hood. The clearance looks tight at under 7 inches and these batts are taller by over 1/2"

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[flash]

then get an interstate.

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[kzem1]

What specific battery brand and model do you recomend Flash? I will be looking for one soon for my Coupe.

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[flash]

for lead/acid interstate is as good as you can get.



i like the gel batteries, but they can be troublesome. they are free from leaks and gasification though, which is why i run one (my battery is in the trunk where vapors could enter the cabin)



frankly, i'd just run the interstate if i could. that is what is in the white car.

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