DIY Optima Battery Mount & Damn Mice! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

donv · 04-24-2007, 07:45 PM

Battery tray detail - front "negative" corner. Note overhanging lip on the outboard side (there is a similar lip on the rear edge) as well as the amount of free width when compared to the Optima battery case shown in place but not mounted on the plate.

donv · 04-24-2007, 07:49 PM

Battery on plate and bolted down.

donv · 04-24-2007, 07:59 PM

BTW, I made a second full-size completed plate while I was at it. It isn't perfect - there are some scratches, etc. but it is structurally OK.

If you're interested in that or the smaller "Dieter-sized" blank (the left one in the first photo), I'll send within the US if you pay the shipping. PM me and we'll exchange pay pal details.

conradtan · 04-25-2007, 12:45 AM

Dude, looks great! I'll be doing this soon. I don't want to ever get stranded with a dead battery. Freaks me out to think about it! Thanks for leading the way...

blinkwatt · 04-25-2007, 12:54 AM

@ donv,

Where did you get the battery from? Did you happen to weigh the Optima compared to whatever was in the before?

donv · 04-25-2007, 04:20 AM

I got it from autobarn.com, but did the actual purchase through http://shop.com/ . It was cheaper that way... $139.95 (lower price than direct via autobarn.com) plus free shipping if the order was over $150. I added a 32oz bottle of StaBil to the order and it totaled ~$153. Shipping was fast, ordered 4/1, received 4/4/07 (3 biz days, NY to MA via UPS).

I didn't weigh the Optima, but I recall from my web search that many claim the Optima to be a lighter replacement and others say it is not always the case. I was able to weigh the old battery - 40 lbs. on a bathroom scale. UPS claimed 43 lbs shipping weight on the Optima with the Optima accessories (adaptor tray and clips), packing material, StaBil, etc. The StaBil, Optima accessories and packaging run ~4 lbs, so I'm guessing we're at about a wash on weight. I do know it is a smaller unit than the original battery - I got the revised plate width by measuring the base of the original battery.

Here's a shot of the one I took out, the factory battery from 2001. Actual orientation is reversed when in the car, posts are to the rear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

@ donv, Where did you get the battery from? Did you happen to weigh the Optima compared to whatever was in the before?