Two Batteries?

After considerable searching, I found that the smallest Sears DieHard battery with side terminals will JUST fit into either battery box of my early 911. The single DieHard battery has more cranking amps than both originals. Do I stay with one battery or do I go with two? Is the weight balance in front that critical? What about the dynamics of two high capacity batteries, is it really that easy, just run them parallel? With sympathy to Freud, I want to fill the empty space in the second box, but also don't want to fry my alternator.

At risk of sounding like a broken record, let me pass along the best advice I've gotten on batteries & Pcars. Optimia batteries are THE way to go.
I have installed them in both my 914 & 911 and will put one in my MR2 when the origional expires. Never have to worry about acid again. They're pricey but worth every nickel.

[Wayne 962]

Hi again Tim. I don't think that you will fry your alternator with these in parallel. I don't think that they will draw too much of a load off of your system. Remember that the alternator puts out between 50-70 AMPs which should be plenty enough...

-Wayne

I guess my concern is on two things. First of all, if a cell in one battery might short, the second battery will see a load. With the heavy cables connecting the batteries and their high capacities, there would be the potential for heating either or both batteries from internal resistance to the point of boiling the electolite or even worse, causing a fire. The second concern is alternater loading. If both batteries were discharged, the system load resistance would be half of one battery (ohms law). What impact would that have on the charging system?

The more I think about it, the more I like one battery.