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-   -   Optima Battery ? (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/era-speak-bob-putnam/90470-optima-battery.html)

428street 08-20-2008 03:44 PM
Optima Battery ?
 
I'm ready to purchase my optima battery and have printed out the specs on the rear mounted battery install from the website.

The directions state to use SC34A as a part number.

Optima website does not list this part number or the National Stock number listed below the specs on the page on the website.

I did some research and by process of elimination I found this current model number to be the closest.

Optima 34 red top Battery -

Optima 34 RedTop Battery Voltage: 12v Minimum Weight: 37.9 lbs. Cold Cranking Amps: 32°F 1000, 0°F 800 Length X Width X Height: 10.00" X 6.86" X 7.81" Capacity Ampere Hours @ 20 Hr Rate: 50 Reserve Capacity: 110 Internal Resistance (ohms): .0030 Post Type: SAE Post Warranty Invertermation: 36 months free replacement, remaining 36 months prorated

Being a ex-Sears Automotive employee while putting myself through college I am fairly certain the group number is the most import, which in this case is 34.

I also check the LXHXW and it seems very close to the spec on the ERA site.

Any advice on this.

strictlypersonl 08-20-2008 04:14 PM
I'm pretty sure we've got one on the shelf. I'll check the part number tomorrow morning.

428street 08-20-2008 04:30 PM
Ok, great. I'll be up on Friday to pick up some stuff Doug is getting ready for me so I can pick it up then if you have one.

richardferguson 08-20-2008 04:38 PM
Check the side you need the positive terminal. This battery comes in left and right negative!
Richard

Anthony 08-20-2008 06:16 PM
I've had problems with optima batteries holding a charge. I won't buy them again.

poboy427 08-20-2008 07:00 PM
I have had issues with Optima too.

Check out the new Braille with carbon fiber case. I have heard stories of the heavy Optima chewing up the floor of the fibergass battery well in Superformance. I really like my Braille. Also consider a 1.25 amp Battery Tender. I have mine wired in to the terminals with a pigtail sticking throught he battery box cover (make sure you have a grommet around the pigtail) I also always make sure the battry current is cut at the kill switch each time the car is put away.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Braille%20Auto...3121C/10002/-1

Bobcat 08-20-2008 07:38 PM
The SC34A isn`t an Optima battery , but an Interstate that uses a different internal construction than the Optima does ( gel mat , I believe ) .... which is why you couldn`t find it on the Optima web site . If ERA has one on the shelf , that`s the way to go as Interstate dealers will have to order it and you will pay shipping also . My guess is that ERA buys enough of them that you can probably shop all over and not beat their price .
You can check out the Interstate web site for info on it .

xracerbob 08-20-2008 08:03 PM
428Street- When you're at ERA, ask Doug to show you the Braille battery and holder he is putting in my car (#758) Maroon color.

Chaplin 08-20-2008 08:45 PM
My Optima battery is going on 5 years old and has never given me one once of trouble, which is pretty good when you consider the car will sit for weeks at a time, and months at a time over the winter, without being driven. I would buy another Optima in a heartbeat.

428street 08-21-2008 04:48 AM
Thanks for the responses guys.

Ok, Interstate makes sense and I couldn't put it together. The directions for the rear mount battery on the ERA site specifically say in caps to use an optima battery but the sheet they include seems like a scan and has interstate on the bottom. I guess either I am stupid or the instructions are not as clear as they can be. Oh well, problem solved.

Thank you.

strictlypersonl 08-21-2008 04:59 AM
I don't know whether the SC34A (from Midstate Battery) is different from a standard Optima. The basic battery has Optima all over it. "SC34A" is a handwritten tag on the packaging. Dimensions are 9"L x 6.5"H x 8.5"H. From the Optima site, it looks like the equivalent to their model YT R 3.7.

mrmustang 08-21-2008 05:04 AM
Optima batteries are distributed by Interstate Battery Corp of America Inc. Interstate purchased the original company that produced the Optima battery back in the fall of 1999 or 2000. Hope this helps to bring clarity to the slight confusion.


Bill S.

RedCSX1 08-21-2008 08:10 AM
I am running two red top OPTIMA 6 volt batteries in my Shelby. Purchased them in 2004. They are still going strong. Of course the temps in Fresno never really get below freezing very often. So the battery does not go through major temp changes however it does get way above 100 degrees and the Cobra only has 4000 miles in the past four years.

DonC 08-21-2008 08:27 AM
4 years and 25,000 miles on my Red Top Optima and no problems so far. Use a battery manager during the winter when the car doesn't see much road time but that's all by way of special handling.
DonC

Woodz428 08-21-2008 10:59 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaplin (Post 872207)
My Optima battery is going on 5 years old and has never given me one once of trouble, which is pretty good when you consider the car will sit for weeks at a time, and months at a time over the winter, without being driven. I would buy another Optima in a heartbeat.
Ours is over 5 in the Coupe...still works great. I even ran it dead once(don't ask) about a year ago and after re-charging you can't tell the difference from when it was new. Now it will probably croak this afternoon...but 5+ years is pretty good service in my book. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another either.

DAVID GAGNARD 08-21-2008 11:38 AM
Red top Optima in my street car (65 Fastback 351-W) is at least 6 years old, probably 7 now, no trickle charger or battery maintainer. When I know I will not use the car for more than a few weeks, I just dis-connect the positive battery cable. Never failed to start the car, YET!!!!!!!!!!!!

Same red top Optima in my road racer, 3 years old now, 331 stroker, 13 to 1 compression, so far, no problems and that car does "sit" for months at a time without being started.......

I like red top Optimas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David

428street 08-21-2008 06:35 PM
Thanks again guys.

MrMustang is correct.

I picked up a red top today at ERA.

Saw the engine running on the dyno today, 400 HP which is exactly what I was shooting for....street use only.


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