Battery Choice

[LuckyWinner]

Getting a battery real soon, using the FFmetal battery box. What battery are you using? Name and model.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Just a garden variety Autozone Duralast replacement for a late 80s/early 90s Mustang GT. Under a hundred bucks and trouble free for 7 years.

Jeff

[FritoBandito]

I'm using the Optima red top group 34 that ffmetal recommends.

Hey Jeff, one of the problems I found with regular batteries was the posts were right at the corners of the battery. Because the battery box entry holes are right there it makes it difficult to land the terminals without hitting the box. I've seen pics where folks actually crossed wires from one side to the other inside the box to deal with this. How did you handle it?

Mario

[Bob Cowan]

My battery is mounted on top of the passenger foot box. For that reason I use an Optima. If there's a crash, I don't want the passengers feet doused with acid.

For every other vehicle I own, I use a Duralast from Autozone. Consumer reports usually rates it near the top, and it's relativly inexpensive.

[2bking]

I'm using the Optima Group 34 battery and putting it in the trunk (with some mods).

[LuckyWinner]

how many Cold Cranking Amps and top or side Terminals

[FritoBandito]

The battery I have is the Optima 8002-002-FFP RedTop Group 34 Starting Battery (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QH6XQG). This is the one ffmetal recommends. It has 800 cold cranking amps and is a top terminal battery.

Given the diverse nature of builds I'm sure someone has used side terminals but in a close fitting metal box that seems pretty dangerous.

Mario

[2bking]

Optima Group 34 batteries come without side terminals. The group 34/78 has side terminals with removable screw on protective caps. The caps make the batteries usable in a metal box as added protection. With the caps removed the side terminals are recessed and will not short to a flat metal surface. I used the group 34/78 batteries in military applications in metal boxes without any problems for many years.

Information from Optima website

Battery Model: D34/78
Part Number: 8014-045 22744
Nominal Voltage: 12 volts
NSN: 6140 01 457 4341
Description: High power, dual purpose engine start and deep cycle, sealed lead acid battery

Group 34
Battery Model: D34
Part Number: 8012-021 22745
Nominal Voltage: 12 volts
NSN: 6140 01 457 5392
Description: High power, dual purpose engine start and deep cycle, sealed lead acid battery

Both have the following specs:

Performance Data:
Open Circuit Voltage (Fully charged): 13.1 volts
Internal Resistance (Fully charged): .0028 ohms
Capacity: 55 Ah (C/20)
Reserve Capacity: BCI: 120 minutes
(25 amp discharge, 80°F (26.7°C), to 10.5 volts cut-off)
Power:
CCA (BCI 0°F): 750 amps
MCA (BCI 32°F): 870 amps

[SCFFR]

I also used the Optima Red Top but I think mine was the 34R which put the terminals on the opposite side. I did this because the openings in the FFMetal battery box were just too close to the top posts. As you can see, I ran the cable over the top of the battery to the opposite side. Works great.

Ron

22746

[FritoBandito]

This is how I handled it.

http://i.imgur.com/8jLLvXN.jpg

[lazrcng]

I also have the FFMetal box and was mainly concerned with the battery size and weight with regard to install and removal. I went with a Braille No Weight and it has worked out very well so far:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/brl-b3121/overview/

Bought this Braille No Weight from Summit Racing.

227702277122772

[Sanford]

http://www.batterymart.com/p--Big-Crank-ETX30L-Battery.html?utm_expid=9040431-23.LCAHzftGRyOhYITbuc66Rw.1
Same as the Braille but cheaper.
I have this on top of the passenger footbox. works well

[cChrisM]

Odyssey Batteries are very small as well. I went with one that was a little larger for reserve capacity (parked with radio playing). Still very small and light. http://shop.odysseybattery.com/p/pc925-a?pp=12

[mikiec]

I'm in the process of installing the FFMetal box in my completed MKI. I'll be using a standard grp 24 battery from Autozone.. It was scary cutting into the aluminum in on the trunk floor.