Been looking at getting a new battery since my old century is showing signs of failure.. Really would like to get a sealed unit, prefer to preserve my paint work. I've noticed on ebay that the Optima series is pretty cheap now just $255 delivered. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OPTIMA-R...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4abb0fc99d Which model do ppl normally grab in terms of post positions as per below - 34R IS RIGHT HAND FRONT POSITIVE TERMINAL (installed back to front) 34 IS LEFT HAND FRONT POSITIVE TERMINAL (normal position install) Was thinking of grabbing the 34R and installing it back to front, so the posts are closest to the firewall (+ and - on correct sides) and vents on the battery are further away from plastic window cowl.
The cables will reach (provided they haven't been modified) but be aware that contact between the positive terminal and the firewall is fairly devastating compared to the effect of having the battery vent under the cowls. For that reason I would prefer to fit a battery that maintains OEM terminal orientation.
Thanks Rob! I didnt even think about potential grounding issues with firewall. ouch! I think my + lead may have been shortened a little, it tends to just make it onto the + pole of a century standard battery. Should probably get some measurements to check.
Pardon the dig. I'm thinking about finally getting an Optima Red. I'm confused, I thought the 34R would be the correct fitment?
Didn't get one yet... ...all depends how my current battery holds up after the charge I gave it. Ten months old but it was so flat I couldn't turn my alarm off last night. Yeah I need to drive more but current battery seems like real crap. About $250 delivered seems to be the norm which finally seems reasonable. I was paying $120 for a battery ten years ago and I thought they were even like $300 then. Think I'll give one a try next. :zlove:
AGM Certainly does have a lower rate of self discharge and less prone to sulfation. High quality lead plates makes quite a difference too.
Driving so infrequently lately. I'm lucky to get 18 months out of battery. This last one is just crap I reckon, and it's a lot to do with high self discharge rates and not parasitic load. I'd be stoked with 4 years. :zlove: Yeah we'll see.
Yeah AGM hate discharging.... You'd be better off with a yellow top from the sounds of it. I would go AGM for vehicles with in cabin batteries or space restrictions requiring the battery be mounted on its side etc. Deep Cycle for cars that go through frequent discharge/recharge cycles. Everything else garden variety lead acid battery.
You might be right The yellow will recover from being flattened a lot better. Easy to throw it on my charger.
d35 have the terminals on the edge of the battery, if you can fit i would use a 34. as the wires will reach, higher CCA, and same price. also yellow tops are completely sealed and do not vent any gasses or fumes. i had mine sitting in the back of my car and it did not leak anything at all. also it was mounted on its side with no leaks or smells.
YUP yup 35 it is... not sure where I got the D from. :zlove: About to try my old battery, don't think it's held a charge.
I just double checked It Is the D35, this does not have the terminals on the side. The D34 is 55AH but the terminals are around the wrong way?
i got a d35 in my car.. this is a d35.. note that the terminal are on the edge. here is a d34 note that the terminals are half way into the battery. almost central the only reason you would go a d35 over a d34 is if you needed the terminals on the edge like below. also note that the power cable runs down the side of the battery so you need the terminals on the edge. -------------d34 vs d35. cca----------750 - 650 AH---------- 55 - 48 width (mm)---174 - 174 length (mm)- 254 - 236 height (mm)- 198 - 198 weight (kg) - 19.5 - 16.6 also when i said side i meant side of the top of the battery not on the side of the body.. i see where i confused you now
optima also don't do terminals on the opposite ends because they say just flip the battery around as the terminals are pretty central and you shouldn't have a problem trying to fit it. if your really fussy peel the sticker off and stick it back on the other way or just buy replacement stickers. optimas use round cells rather than the conventional flat cells that other manufactures use this means they can stuff more cells or ions or whatever it was into them hence more power. also with the d34 vs d35 argument, even though they are similar size and the d34 produces more power is because of the layout of the terminals. i remember the rep saying something about since the terminals are in the middle there is less power loss and bigger cells are there is no need to run the power to the sides of the battery.
