Ok, who's got the biggest...

[sparks57]

Battery?



GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER!!!







I need a new battery, and I want to get an Optima Red top.



My question to you is: what is the biggest battery I can get in there? I don't mind modifying the battery tray.

 

[dpuckett]

I think the Group 31 is about the biggest automotive battery you can get, as far as physical size.



*MY* mind wasnt in the gutter



I think an Optima would be better than a regular group 31.



Daniel

 

[sparks57]

Ah, but which group fits in the tray that is already in there? 27?

 

[dpuckett]

Not sure about yours, but MINE holds a 31 just fine. Held down with a 15" tarp strap.

Hey, aint it a little early for you to be home on a Sat nite? Or is the little woman not around to keep you company?

DP

 

[sparks57]

Little woman is 400 miles away dude...

 

[SRadke]

I think you can get a 31 that is about an inch deeper. I don't know what they call it but I recall about 1100 cca. Not much help am I.



-Scott

 

[EZGZ]

I looked into the optima a few years ago and could not find one with enough CCA. Maybe they have one now.

 

[sparks57]

What about Interstate?

 

[JLEONARD]

I was told that 2 optimas will fit if you turn them sideways and fab your own hold down clamp.

I use one optima red top and have had no problems starting with temps in the single digits or slightly below 0. But normally I plug in to make my morning start easier.

Jay

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Optima Yellow top D31 is 13" long by 7" wide by 9. 5" tall to the top of the post. It is a deep-cycle commercial battery weighing in at 59 lbs. They are rated at 950 CCA but every one I have tested tests at 1100 CCA minimum. With the grid heater draw on our trucks being so high it is the one going into my truck later this spring. I can get one for $149. 00 my price or $100. 00 for a "blem". Hope this helps.



Bob

 

[Steve Graham]

Yes 2 Optima's will fit!

I built a bracket to hold the two Optima's and that bracket is clampted to the original battery tray. The only change is the rear support arm that is attached to the top of the fender. I had to move that back about an inch to clear the side terminal on the battery. It'a a drop in fit and it even clears my air compressor.



Steve

 

[prototech]

hey guys,

while we're on this subject what is the recomended way to wire in a second battery? do you need an isolator? starter to one and heater and accessories to the other? or just in parallel?

Proto

 

[sparks57]

From what I've heard, isolators don't do much, because the current will find a way out no matter what you do... if you're thinking of an isolator as protecting one battery if the other goes dead.



Otherwise, thanks guys!

 

[bgilbert]

Chris, [What about Interstate?]- That is what a optima is, an interstate. I wouldnt do the two group 27's sideways in the stray, we already have too much weight on the driverside. No battery war here, but if ya read my posts on this subject, ya know what battery I believe in. Deka. I wouldnt care if K-mart made this battery, I'd still buy another. Deka group 31, 1260 cca @32*f, 1025 cca @0*f, all for the lump sum of about $70. Find a similar group 31 rated that high for that much money and yeah you'd be in business. Pics of this battery in my RR's. Bill

Edit, www.eastpenn-deka.com.

 

[sparks57]

Hmm... I'll have to look into it.



And thanks for the clarification!

 

[GGott]

Hi guys, Just bought a battery from Finning Caterpillar, a group 31, with 1250 CCA @ 0 degree. They list at $119. The service manual (1991) says a 1025 CCA @ 0 degree is what they should have. Haven't installed it yet. Greg

 

[KeithTaylor]

I'm running an Interstate group 31 in mine, fits right into the tray and the hold down fits, too. From reading the measurements of Interstate batteries available, that's the biggest one that will fit in the stock tray . . .



Keith