TOTAL NOOB QUESTION: BATTERY INSTALL ?'s
 

:rolleyes: I am a total auto mechanix noob and after reading a couple of posts in a search, I haver some questions:
I bought a red top Optima 12 V. Preparing to instal tonight. Anyone have any tips so I don't fry myself or my 914 fuses and alternator?
I am looking for something to the effect of negative wire off first, watch out for, don't stick your tounge on the, etc etc.
Help me so I don't kill myself or my car!!:rolleyes:

Just put the terminals on correctly. Beware that with the red top Optima you may have trouble with the cables reaching the battery. I installed a red top and as a result I had to install a longer ground cable.

Also, make sure you got the plastic feet that come with the Optima. You will need them so that the battery fits in the tray.

When you say put the terminals on properly, you mean take off neg first, then positive. Then reconnect Neg first then positive right? Can you touch any of the wires terminals, etc? Am I gonna feel a big jolt when my hands start smoking?:eek:

Generally, install the positive cable first, neg. last. That's one of the reasons when reading repair manuals (Haynes, etc.) they always say, "Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery."

And by all means, don't lick the positive terminal after you've connected the negative. Before is usually OK provided you're wearing Dearfoam slippers and a Fez.

Don

DC current will not give you a jolt. You always connect the + side first because the whole car becomes the - when you connect that side making a larger oppertunity for a shorting hazard.
Just be carful not to cross the posts, and you will be fine. You wont be shocked.
HTH

Good advice, Don, especially about the fez. "Never do it with out the fez on"

Yea Baby! Only another Steely Dan deciple would know that! (Or am I just an Old Guy?) sigh...

Your battery install will be a piece of cake Billy. Keep hangin' out around here and we'll make a motorhead out of you too!
Don

Yes, Don. Big fan for a long time. Any major dude will tell you.

So Curvie, when did you realize, you were a champion in their eyes?

Alright Kid Charlemagne and bodhisattva why don't we all just drink scotch whiskey all night long, and die behind the wheel?

My SD addiction started about the time they started putting retractable seatbelts into the 914s. Don't get me started. Turn up the Eagles, the neighbors are listening.

Only a Fool Would Say That, Dr. Wu. I've been Through With Buzz for over twenty years now. About all I drink now is an occational Black Cow. You'll have to put on your Bad Sneakers and do your Dirty Work with the Razor Boy or Peg. Unless Peg went to Barrytown with Rikki, Rose Darlin', and the rest of the Show Biz Kids to see the Parkers Band concert at the Teahouse On The Tracks. It's a pretty tacky place, so I hope there's not another Fire In The Hole at that club. You never know what can happen in a place where Charlie Freak, Ruby Baby, and Maxine Hang out! I better hop in my Midnight Cruiser and get on the Trans-Island Skyway to the office. Hope it doesn't turn into Black Friday, or we'll all end up in the Caves Of Altamira looking for Your Gold Teeth and Josie's, Green Earrings. What a Royal Scam that would be.

How the hell did this thread take on a life of it's own? Oh well, Billy Spaceman, as a musician, I'm sure you appreciate fans of certain music! Even if it does turn into Chain Lightning.

Ok, I'm done now.

That was awesome! BTW, the battery change went without problems. Ooohhhhhh, and I discovered something else too! I have a undiscovered modification on my car!!! A vented battery tray!! YAY:eek: Looks like I wil be adding a new tray to my PP order today. Thanks guys for the tips and the great thread!SmileWavy

A vented battery tray? Are you sure it wasn't installed by a P.O. as a "lightened racing tray". Pelican has them in stock and keeps them in secure storage in a dumpst.. oops, cabinate behind the building. ;)

Glad you had no broblem with the batt. install. There actually IS alot of real help here.

Keep the Shiny Side Up!

Don