Optima Battery

[ekam]

I just ordered the Optima Redtop (34R) locally and the aluminum adapter plate with a longer cable from Yellow Dog Motorsports. Going to be a DIY.

I ordered the longer cable, JUST IN CASE. The frustration to find out the cable is not long enough is not worth it.

[ddb]

Originally Posted by ekam

I ordered the longer cable, JUST IN CASE. The frustration to find out the cable is not long enough is not worth it.

I ordered the longer cable (just in case) along with the plastic adaptor during the summer. I wanted to have them so I could install an Optima whenever I need a new battery. So far, I haven't needed a new battery.

My car had a new Interstate battery when I bought it over 6 years ago and it is still going strong. This is without never using a charger or maintainer. Also my car has sat for 12 weeks untouched at least twice during the 6 years and regularly sits for 2 to 3 weeks untouched. The Interstate has been a great battery but I want a sealed, maintenance free battery next go round.

[ekam]

Well guess what, I needed the longer positive cable after all!!! Yellow Dog told me I don't need it and I have a 04 base, manual.

The aluminum adapter plate is good quality(for an extra $20 over the plastic version, it's worth it IMO), and won't hurt to get the thumb screw set as well, makes it so much easier to remove the cowl vent to replace the cabin filter, etc.

Install is pretty much a breeze. It came with 4-5 pages of instructions but the install is straight forward on its own. Don't have to be a qualified mechanic to do the job. The Redtop (34R) is smaller, lighter than the factory battery - just perfect.

It was easy to deal with Yellow Dog over the phone, they processed & shipped the items to me very quickly.

[ddb]

Sweet! Good thing you ordered the cable despite their advice. There seems to be a lot of uncertainty on which cars need a longer cable and which cars don't. I'm glad I ordered the cable as well, just in case. My luck, I won't need it.

I'm sort of looking forward to needing a new battery so I can order and install an Optima. Only because I know I have limited time on my 6+ year old Interstate and like the idea of a sealed battery.

Was your OE cable close to working or was it way off in length?

[ekam]

I didn't measure exactly how much longer, but I'd say it needed good 1.5-2" longer to go on top of the post. The negative cable is a tight fit but it fits.

The plate comes with 2 mounting locations for the battery but I used the mounting points closer to the driver's side or else the negative cable won't reach.

[blue2000s]

In my products, cable cutting tool capabilities dictate a fairly wide tolerance on cable length. It can be as much as +/- 0.5 inches on a big cable like the battery cable on this car. Normal manufacturing tolerance probably explains the length differences seen here.

[JFP in PA]

2 inches is not a manufacturing tolerance, it is a different length cable............as also indicated by different part numbers……….