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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Newbury Park, CA
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TOTAL NOOB QUESTION: BATTERY INSTALL ?'s
 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!!
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"Sometimes you are the windshield, sometimes you are the bug." 2000 VW Jetta VR6 1989 BMW 325i with premium broken speaker package 1973 Porsche 914 1.7 SOLD |
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02-27-2003, 01:44 PM
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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. |
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02-27-2003, 01:47 PM
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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?
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"Sometimes you are the windshield, sometimes you are the bug." 2000 VW Jetta VR6 1989 BMW 325i with premium broken speaker package 1973 Porsche 914 1.7 SOLD |
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02-27-2003, 01:50 PM
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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
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Don Kiepert '73 Big Bore '02 GTI 1.8T Race a Porsche - There's more to life than left turns! |
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02-27-2003, 02:11 PM
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Location: Grove City, OH
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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
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AKA: Dr Evil on the 914World forum, need your tranny rebuilt, or want a "How to rebuild your transmission DVD" set? PM me. -74 914 with 74 2.7 CIS -74 VW Bus with modified 3.1 corvair engine and 3.0 CIS fuel injection system. -74 BMW R90 |
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02-27-2003, 02:14 PM
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Location: Allen Park, Mi, USA
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Good advice, Don, especially about the fez. "Never do it with out the fez on"
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Malaga Red '76 |
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02-27-2003, 02:26 PM
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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
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Don Kiepert '73 Big Bore '02 GTI 1.8T Race a Porsche - There's more to life than left turns! |
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02-27-2003, 02:59 PM
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Yes, Don. Big fan for a long time. Any major dude will tell you.
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Malaga Red '76 |
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02-27-2003, 04:42 PM
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So Curvie, when did you realize, you were a champion in their eyes?
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Don Kiepert '73 Big Bore '02 GTI 1.8T Race a Porsche - There's more to life than left turns! |
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02-27-2003, 05:21 PM
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Location: Denver, Colorado USA
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Alright Kid Charlemagne and bodhisattva why don't we all just drink scotch whiskey all night long, and die behind the wheel?
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Peter Hinkle drumvudu@earthlink.net http://home.earthlink.net/~porsche914 1974 Saturn Yellow 914/4 1.8/w BigBore/Webers/MSD 1988 944 Black on Black w/phone dials |
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02-27-2003, 07:31 PM
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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.
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Malaga Red '76 |
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02-28-2003, 02:57 AM
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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.
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Don Kiepert '73 Big Bore '02 GTI 1.8T Race a Porsche - There's more to life than left turns! |
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02-28-2003, 04:26 AM
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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
Looks like I wil be adding a new tray to my PP order today. Thanks guys for the tips and the great thread!
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"Sometimes you are the windshield, sometimes you are the bug." 2000 VW Jetta VR6 1989 BMW 325i with premium broken speaker package 1973 Porsche 914 1.7 SOLD |
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02-28-2003, 06:14 AM
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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
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Don Kiepert '73 Big Bore '02 GTI 1.8T Race a Porsche - There's more to life than left turns! |
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02-28-2003, 06:37 AM
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73' Porsche 914 1920 Mahle Big Bore
