Battery decision
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Battery decision
Posted: June 29 2007 04:13 PM
 
Robert Siminger (aka 29robert) [ View ] [ rsiminger@rcs-pdm.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
La Verne, California
909-599-3191
 
OK. I know there has been some discussion on this subject before, but I'm now at a point that I need to construct and locate my battery box. I've got a sedan so there's no trunk to put it in and I really don't want it hanging under the car, but I can probably put it under the rear seat (I've got 8" clear under the seat). I've heard some bad things about Optima batteries, but they can lay on their sides and they are sealed so it shouldn't be a problen using then inside the car. On ther other hand, other batteries seem to last longer, but aren't sealed, which could be a problem inside the car and they can't lay on their sides. I did find a DuraLast that is only 7 1/2" high and has side terminals. Any recommendations?
 
 
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Posted by bigdude  -  06/29/2007 04:23 PM
The sedan I built had the battery inside the pass side front fender and was made so I could remove it.
resident know it all [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Three Rivers, Michigan Charter Member since January 2004
 
Posted by 29robert  -  06/29/2007 04:50 PM
Bigdude. Don't quite understand what you mean by "inside the front fender". This is a Model A and doesn't seem to have many places to hide things, but I'm open.
29robert [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] La Verne, California Charter Member since November 2004
 
Posted by buick1  -  06/29/2007 07:10 PM
Take a aluminum beer keg, cut a door in it, mount in front of grill. I have NO CLUE such would work, but maybe you can come up with a trick box to mount your battery in that area. Since I'm not a beer drinker I have no idea how big a keg is.


Just thinking, and wishing you well in this project.



Dale

Indy
buick1 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Indianapolis, Indiana
 
Posted by bigdude  -  06/29/2007 07:17 PM
It wont work on that-couldnt see it on mine.
resident know it all [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Three Rivers, Michigan Charter Member since January 2004
 
Posted by da34guy  -  06/29/2007 07:38 PM
Robert-

The optima will work for ya under the rear seat, just check out the cca's, as some discount store (Costco etc) have them built just for them and the cca's are lower than the standard one's

BTW Optima is owned by Interstate Batteries now and the quality is supposed to be better than a few years ago.
Don [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Prescott, Arizona Charter Member since October 2001
 
Posted by MUDMANDENNY  -  06/29/2007 08:17 PM
if we all get together i`ll bet we could empty that keg in no time! if that didn`t work we could try another.
MUDMANDENNY [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] MCDONALD, Ohio
 
Posted by ronhotrod  -  06/29/2007 09:00 PM
since you are building a sedan and can locate it behind the rear seat, why not just fab a sealed box vented to the under side of the car and put it back there? I have done this several times and had no problems. Just be sure the box is sealed (no fumes in the car) and a vent line going to the outside. you can even use a marine battery box if you have a boat dealer close.
ronhotrod [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Mount washington, Kentucky Charter Member since July 2001
 
Posted by JoeP  -  06/29/2007 09:28 PM
Robert, I am using an Odyssey batteries for a while never had a problem. You can lay on it's side and is sealed don't need a vent. Have used Optima batteries they never worked out for me, only lasted two years and shorted out. Had the battery on my Model A mounted under the car, you don't really know how much a battery weights until your laying on you back under the car lifting it into place, under the seat sounds like a good place.
Joe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Somerset, New Jersey
 
Posted by moparjack44  -  06/30/2007 08:25 AM
On my DeSoto, I have an Optima and is mounted behind the rear seat, and it has worked great. I would recommend locating some remote terminals so you don't have to remove the rear seats if you ever need a jump.


Jack
JOHN 3:16 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Halifax County, Virginia Charter Member since March 2005
 
Posted by 29robert  -  06/30/2007 11:15 AM
Thanks for the input guys. Behind the rear seat is out of the question cause I've got an 18 gal. S.S. gas tank there. The idea of remote terminals is certainly worth thinking about. I'll also look into the Odyssey batteries. I'm in the process of fabing my rear seat frame so I can make it any height I want. Both Optima and Duralast make batteries that are only 7 or 7 1/2" high with side terminals that would fit under the seat. How big a concern is venting if it's not a sealed battery?
29robert [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] La Verne, California Charter Member since November 2004
 
Posted by DavyJ  -  06/30/2007 01:58 PM
The last model A sedan i worked on had a compartment under the passenger seat. There was a pin in the seat track at the rear,and then the whole seat folded forward on hinges at the front. A trap door revealed the battery.
Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005
 
Posted by jimmothershead  -  07/01/2007 09:15 AM
Used a many Optima. Put it under the rear seat. Make certain you run a #1 AWG cable minimum from the negative post direct to a 3/8" bolt by the starter........no exceptions. Then a #10 AWG ground to frame and a ground block under dash.
Fun with hot rods, Jim
Jim [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huntingtown, Maryland
 
Posted by blksheep  -  07/02/2007 11:15 AM
Robert,....Here's a pic of the Odessey Batt I had in my '57 sbc car. This was an EFI car w/ an electric fuel pump and dual electric fans, that required batt power w/ the ignition switch on. This little battery didn't kick the engine over like a 800 cca unit, but never failed me. It has an 8 year warranty.

A 100 amp alternator, excellent quality wiring and good grounds/contacts are a must. Expect to pay about $200.00 for the battery and hold down box as shown.


blksheep...secureley grounded...in Charlotte
blksheep [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Charlotte, North Carolina
 
Posted by flagator79  -  07/02/2007 08:49 PM
I have an Optima and have used them for years - they have been improved of late when the company was bought out by Interstate Batteries. I have one for my '36 as well (see pic below)
If the world was fair, the worm would eat the bird half the time [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] West Monroe, Louisianna Charter Member since December 2005
 
Posted by orphans2  -  07/03/2007 11:25 AM
I have a full size battery in a box mounted to the frame under the rear seat floor. No access from above. Only way to get to the battery is on a lift or roll the car over on it's side. I too have a sedan with little space for a battery, but I am going to have to start looking for a better way since this one is the pits. Have thought about using the Odessey battery, just was never sure about it's ability to provide the necessary crank power and the longevity as a standand battery. My current battery is still strong and it is five years old. It was built by the Utiliy Battery Company. Not well known but damn strong units.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by JoeP  -  07/03/2007 01:35 PM
As I stated earlier, I use the Odessey battery in the Model A and in my roadster, the one in the Model A is three years old never had a problem with lack cranking power. The A has a 383 stroker and the roadster has a 355 small block.
Joe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Somerset, New Jersey
 
Posted by 29robert  -  07/03/2007 02:37 PM
Hey Joe. What's the height of that Odessey battery? Are the terminals on top? I only have about 8" clear under the seat. If it's sealed, I guess I could lay it on its side. Wheather I go with Optima or Odessey, it'll be a sealed battery in either case.


Thanks for all the input guys.
29robert [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] La Verne, California Charter Member since November 2004
 
Posted by JoeP  -  07/03/2007 05:13 PM
Robert, The terminals are on the top , but it is a sealed battery mine is mounted on it's side. The size is L-6.6" W-7" H-5", weight 26 lbs
Joe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Somerset, New Jersey
 
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