dude, where's my battery! (replacement)

tdiddy · 06-18-2006, 11:13 PM

any NEW info on early 911 replacement batts. searched and found some good threds about this topic. but all are older posts.

where the hell does a guy get a replacement batt. for a 70' 911T!!!
I have been to 5 parts stores and measured like 50 batteries... bought one (2) and they are 1/8 inch. to tall ;(

other posts talk about odessy and harker and stinger.. but those are special order and like $150+....

there has got to be a reasonalbly priced batt. used in a newer sports car that will work...... i did read about the mazda miata battery.. but NO ONE has them... i will call dealer on monday.. but it that the only stinking choice i have!!!!????

BTW hole is 7.25 tall x 6 deep x 8.5 wide.... don't really want to convert to one battery and rig a holder... i just what it like it's was designed to be.

thanks for any ideas or info.

tr

tdiddy · 06-19-2006, 07:43 AM

.

PhatRedHead · 06-19-2006, 07:49 AM

i bought 2 new ones from the dealership $$$ it hurt kinda

71T · 71T's Garage

I have 2 odyssey 925s and like 'em. They fit right in there and are sealed so no acid leaks. They are expensive but so are normal batteries from the dealer. get them off the net to save a little $$ and get them delivered to your door. make sure you get side posts too.

69911e · 06-19-2006, 09:04 AM

Interstate battery makes the right one. I bought mine this year for $69(one is fine for summer use). You can generally go right to the distributor for fastest service.
Ed

lateapex911 · 06-19-2006, 12:12 PM

Jack Olsen did a thread on this recently.

I got a battery from a battery specialist locally. Its an SLA (Sealed LEad Acid), and cost about $65 or so, IIRC. It's pretty small, about 20lbs, and fits easily in one of the boxes. I eliminated te other a while ago when I had my Orbital in there. But one after another failed...and I heard rumours about them having charging issues.

So, it's better to replace a cheap bettery regularly than an expensive one..LOL. The only mod needed was the strap and some filler blocks to hold it properly...an hours work.

Search Jack Olsen, and Battery, and i bet you come up with a wealth of stuff. Lots of choices out there, no need to settle for a conventiona acid battery.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Get an Optima, tip it on it's side, and install it in the car (only one needed). This is a much better way to go (what I'm doing with my '72)

-Wayne

dezzmo · 06-19-2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Get an Optima, tip it on it's side, and install it in the car (only one needed). This is a much better way to go (what I'm doing with my '72)

-Wayne

Wayne,

which model number battery are you using?

abisel · 06-19-2006, 03:50 PM

I can't remember the thread, but I do remember the battery that was used.

It is the Sonnenschein dryfit A512/40A and am told (I haven't verified it) that it fits just fine in the 69-73 911.

http://www.sonnenschein.org/A500.htm

tdiddy · 06-19-2006, 04:50 PM

awsome guys, lots of options it looks like... i am looking for the interstate one...

rphillips · rphillips's Garage

Interstate told me that they quit making the 911 battery due to weak sales. I went the optima route and so far it is awesome. 72 targa

Zeke · 06-19-2006, 07:37 PM

Funny, I used to think the original battery was a 6v wired in series, like they had too many from the 356 days and had to get rid of them (a viable concept if you study the 912 and 912E). No reason to use an original battery unless you do concours.

CBCJr6 · 06-21-2006, 03:35 AM

Can anyone tell us what model Optima they have installed. Measuring the batter boxes on my '72T and looking at the specs, it seems the battery is too wide to fit. Box is about 8.5 wide and battery is over 9 inches. Is there a smaller size? Thanks.

Chuck

dad911 · 06-21-2006, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Get an Optima, tip it on it's side, and install it in the car (only one needed). This is a much better way to go (what I'm doing with my '72)

-Wayne

Did the exact same with my '71. Great minds think alike

tdiddy · 06-22-2006, 10:23 PM

no harm to tip it??? i know you can't tip the acid batts. but i thought was true for all batts.. due to the nature of the design.

thanks

tr

rphillips · rphillips's Garage

Optimas can be mounted in just about any position. I mounted mine on the driver's side in the battery box on it's side. Just fits...

billyboy · 06-23-2006, 06:19 AM

I use the type that is commonly found in Honda civics. I placed it in a fiberglass, made to fit battery box with matching lid. The box is to prevent any future acid damage and to sheild the leads from any possible shorts across the terminals. I was not interested in removing anymore weight from the front of my early car.

Huh · 06-23-2006, 06:26 AM

Don't worry if Interstate doesn't make a battery for your car. Johnson Controls makes a large percentage of batteries out there like AutoZone, Interstate and Diehard batteries.

304065 · 06-23-2006, 06:42 AM

Do NOT tip the optima on its side. It's too big and heavy and you do NOT want the battery terminal 1" from the fuel tank. Get the sonnenschein and do it right and use a rubber or plastic insulator between the positive and the body sheetmetal.

The battery is an 800 amp arc welder that would gladly burn the car to the ground.

lateapex911 · 06-23-2006, 11:40 AM

If you've ever seen a battery do it's thing, you are now a "Believer", and your cars are invariably better insulated, LOL.