View Full Version : Battery Recommendation for Trunk Mounted Box
SCFFR
12-27-2012, 06:30 AM
For those of you who are using the FF Metal trunk mounted box, what battery did you use/recommend? Originally planned to go with one of the Odyssey batteries but open to suggestions. I realize for this particular application size is important and also since it's a metal box, the post need to be top only. Searched the forum but really didn't find the information I was looking for.
As always, thanks for your help.
Ron
Erik W. Treves
12-27-2012, 11:47 AM
I put one of these in my cobra...loved it so much, just put one in my lexus....
http://4xspower.com/shop/d-series/d925/
FritoBandito
12-27-2012, 12:36 PM
Any reason not to go with the recommended Optima battery?
Mario
Erik W. Treves
12-27-2012, 01:41 PM
imo
it's heavier and doesn't like to be dis-charged..also more money i think.
the XS battery is smaller, lighter and I have had better luck with the XS batteries...I have pulled two red tops out cars I have bought that won't hold a charge..my XS batteries are still going strong
but to each his own...my opinion only
FritoBandito
12-27-2012, 02:50 PM
imo
it's heavier and doesn't like to be dis-charged..also more money i think.
the XS battery is smaller, lighter and I have had better luck with the XS batteries...I have pulled two red tops out cars I have bought that won't hold a charge..my XS batteries are still going strong
but to each his own...my opinion only
XS Power batteries are nice for sure but are fairly expensive. Their group 34 battery (the size recommended by ffmetal) is 259.99 at Summit vs 169.95 for the Optima. Size wise they are comparable but the Optima is lighter by a few pounds. The XS S3400 is 49lbs, the XS D3400 is 46lbs, and the Optima 8002-002 is 40lbs. As for reliability I've had a few red tops and they've all done well by me. The red top is not a deep cycle battery like the yellow top so you'll hurt them like any other battery should you let them drain all the way.
Mario
Erik W. Treves
12-27-2012, 03:35 PM
XS Power batteries are nice for sure but are fairly expensive. Their group 34 battery (the size recommended by ffmetal) is 259.99 at Summit vs 169.95 for the Optima. Size wise they are comparable but the Optima is lighter by a few pounds. The XS S3400 is 49lbs, the XS D3400 is 46lbs, and the Optima 8002-002 is 40lbs. As for reliability I've had a few red tops and they've all done well by me. The red top is not a deep cycle battery like the yellow top so you'll hurt them like any other battery should you let them drain all the way.
Mario
right but if use the D925 (and is a deep cycle battery)which is more than enough it is only 23.54 lbs and you can get them all day long for $169 http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_38721_XS-Power-D925.html?utm_source=bingshopping&utm_medium=bing&utm_campaign=bingshopping&zmam=75672847&zmas=1&zmac=15&zmap=38721
you don't need the group 34 size in the XS because it does the job in a smaller package.
this battery spins my 408W like a top and that is with the battery mounted in the trunk and after sitting 3 weeks...vroom...
to each his own... I guess
SCFFR
12-28-2012, 07:06 AM
Thanks for the information guys.
I had forgotten to ask for group sizes/part numbers but see you were all kind enough to post those.
Will look at both Optima and XS. I have a friend who works at NAPA and gets me parts for his cost so will see if they carry either brand. Like the ability of using the smaller XS battery though.
Ron
trublue
12-28-2012, 08:54 AM
When I started building my roadster in 2006, I bought a Duralast battery for $60 from Autozone recommended for the 2000 GT I was using for the donor. I keep it on Battery Tender when not in use and the thing just won't die! It is in the FFR plastic battery box in my trunk. When I need to, I will replace it with another just like it.
Broadwaydan
12-28-2012, 11:38 AM
I went with the Optima red top. Had the battery for almost a year before I ever turned the engine over and had no problem. Battery now 1 1/2 years old and probably less than 3 hours run time on the engine (doing body work now). Never a problem with a start. I did decide to put in remote battery terminals (in the trunk) just in case I want to trickle charge in the winter or need to jump. Easier than going into the battery box.
Group 34. Just remember to have the cables run into the battery box on the proper sides for the battery you are using....or get the battery with the posts properly oriented.
frankeeski
12-29-2012, 02:02 AM
Another vote for the XSPower. I could not use the FFMetal box with the Levy 5-Link so I opted to place the battery in another unused portion of the trunk. The XSPower battery solved many problems for me and you just can't beat their customer service. I logged close to 2 hours on the phone with them while fabricating my battery box and this was before I even bought a product from them. Not once did they make me feel as though I was wasting their time. Just remember if you go with either the Optima or the XSPower, AGM batteries use a smart charger for maintenance. A standard trickle charger will not work
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa78/frankeeski/5-Link/024.jpg
SCFFR
12-29-2012, 06:09 AM
Thanks again!!
Ron
SCFFR
12-29-2012, 06:11 AM
Thanks again!!
One more question.........I already have my battery cables run into the battery box so really can't/don't want to move them. Emac mentioned that you need to make sure you get the right battery to match the cables. I'm guessing that you can't just turn the battery around so the posts match the cables like you can do in most vehicles.
Before I buy a battery, I will have to go to the companies website and see a picture of the battery to make sure the post are oriented correctly. I see for the Optima, they list a 34 and 34R which I think means the posts are reversed. Correct?
Sorry for the duplicate post....................
Ron
Thanks again!!
One more question.........I already have my battery cables run into the battery box so really can't/don't want to move them. Emac mentioned that you need to make sure you get the right battery to match the cables. I'm guessing that you can't just turn the battery around so the posts match the cables like you can do in most vehicles.
Before I buy a battery, I will have to go to the companies website and see a picture of the battery to make sure the post are oriented correctly. I see for the Optima, they list a 34 and 34R which I think means the posts are reversed. Correct?
Sorry for the duplicate post....................
Ron
correct. if you flip the battery around the cables may not be long enough or may fit right in the box. just know your orientation, and check the battery before you take it home. if wrong just ask for one that is reversed. Also, the group 34 is a pretty tight fit, and the battery I got had little tabs on the bottom edge that made it too big to fit! argghhh.
SCFFR
12-29-2012, 01:46 PM
Thanks again for the information Ernest.
I looked on the Summit Racing website at their Optima batteries. The have good pics and dimensions on the 34 and 34R units. The top posts are positioned near one side of the battery as opposed to being in the center. I am somewhat concerned that the post will fall exactly where the holes for the cables are in the metal box. I ran into a similar situation on another project where the battery was a tight fit in the box and the post were too close to the cables, i.e., not enough room for any slack in the cable and not enough room even to attach the battery connector without it hitting the side of the box. Was thinking about getting the 34R version and turn it around so the posts are on the opposite side of the box from where the cables enter (but the + post is exactly opposite the + cable). Then I could run the cable over the top of the battery which would give me plenty of slack to connect to the posts. Will try and find a battery locally just in case there is a problem getting it installed.
Ron
sheephearder
12-29-2012, 02:36 PM
Has anyone mounted a red top optima in a sealed battery box? I got a sealed battery box for Christmas and heard some time ago that it was dangerous to do that. I have not mounted the battery yet, but it will be in the trunk of my '33. Thanks, John
Ron, you got me thinking about how I did mine, so I went out and looked as I haven't looked at it for eight months or so. I took a couple of pictures for you.
The battery that I used had two small tabs on the bottom that I had to file down to get it to slide in, so you may not want to use the battery number as a reference. It is a group 36r1. I guess that is the reason for the tabs....I think it was the only one they had in the reverse configuration that was the same size as the group 34. Works fine. The other wires you see are going to a remote plug in for my battery tender.
Ernest
SCFFR
12-30-2012, 06:24 AM
Ernest,
Many thanks for the pics. You did exactly what I was talking about...............running the cables/connectors across the top of the battery and having some slack to attach the ends to the posts. I think that will be so much easier than having the post directly in front of the holes in the box where the cables come out.
Appreciate the help!
Ron