Temporary Battery??

[cubby911T]

This may be a retarded question, but I'm desperately suffering from Spring Fever. I have lost 2 BEAUTIFUL weeks of driving time due to dead batteries in my 70T. My car has the original 2-battery system, and those little devils are special order so here I sit waiting.....

Anyway, my question is: In the meantime, could I use the standard 12V battery from my Honda Accord in the 911? Of course it won't fit in the small battery boxes of the 911, but if I move the spare tire, it looks like there's enough room to accomodate it. Assuming I could secure that big battery with some bungee straps, would it be safe and functional? Would my charging system work okay with it?

It's supposed to be a gorgeous weekend here in South Bend and I sooooooo want to drive my car, but safety first.....so am I all wet on this idea or is it do-able?

thanks in advance for your commentary!!

[Dantilla]

Sure. A 12v battery is all you need. Just make sure it's held down tight.

[Early_S_Man]

Matt,

First time I ever heard anyone call a Honda battery BIG!!! Taller, yes, but probably below the 36 Ah capacity of one of your single batteries ...

Yes, it would work in a pinch, but, I suspect you will need a longer ground strap ... 'cause that main positive lead ain't got much room to spare!

[anthony]

Don't a lot of people convert from dual to single batteries? It seems like a great time to run out and buy and Optima. Maybe one of those tiny sealed Miata batteries would fit the space better?

[on-ramp]

I got mine from Autozone and it fit just fine on my 1970T. It's a Duralast, works just fine, plenty of Amps.

[kenikh]

Motorcycle batteries work in a pinch too.

[Fishcop]

Dude, seriously think of investing in an Optima/Hawker/Odyssey(Sp?) gel battery and converting to a single battery - especially if your car sits around. Acid batteries just don't last in weekend cars.

Just my 2c

[oldE]

As I mentioned before, the old E has been running for over a year with a Canadian tire battery listed for an '88 Chev truck with a 5 liter V8. The battery has side terminals, so I converted my cable ends, but it fits, end-first, into the battery box on the driver's side. I modified the hold-down clamp to handle the extra bit sticking out into the trunk, (2 1/2 inches). I've got cranking amps to spare! (If its not going to be used for more than a month, I attach the charger for a day or so.)
Les

[cubby911T]

Thanks for the replies everyone - sorry I haven't checked back in earlier....been too busy actually driving my car!!! YESSSSSS!!!!

Fishcop: good suggestion, but I drive the old T at least twice a week for 8 or 9 months of the year so hopefully standard batteries will stay prettty well charged from use.

Onramp: I tried a battery from autozone first and had to take it back cause it didn't fit the boxes. Just a shade too wide....not sure if they were Duralast, but it was whatever their house brand was.

Early_S_Man: I took the spare tire out and wedged the Honda battery just outside the passenger side battery box. Rigged it just close enough so the cables would reach.

Anyway, she fired right up and I've been enjoying the driving!! Meanwhile, still waiting (3 wks and counting now) for my 2 new Interstate batteries to arrive.

Thanks again guys!

[azasadny]

My Optima red top battery sits in my basement all winter, then when I put it in the car this spring, the car started right up! Optimas don't leak and they are not as heavy as a traditional battery...

[911pcars]

This may be overemphasis as this has been mentioned before, but watch out for battery acid, liquid or vapor form. It's vented to the atmosphere in every battery that's not sealed. Galvanized bodies are not impervious to sulfuric acid.

Sherwood