Auxiliary Battery Issues

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Originally Posted by Outback Jack

Hey Tombie, can you let me know which of the SSB batteries will fit the traxide tray as I am just about to order a system to fit my D4 and have read this thread about the Optimas just in time. I would prefer to follow your lead and move away from the Optima now but want to know that an alternative will fit OK. cheers, Jack.

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Sure.

HVT-50 or HVT-50LT depending on where you want the Positive (you can fit the battery with terminals towards the back if you get positive on the right hand side)

The HVT-50’s are 3mm higher than Optima Yellows.

Can I check - the commentary re battery height is in reference to mounting in the open space behind the left front headlight? Ie, where the FBH would be in Europe etc?

Is the story any different when mounting in the second battery bay? The ‘empty’ box in front of the driver? (RHD)

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Originally Posted by veebs

Can I check - the commentary re battery height is in reference to mounting in the open space behind the left front headlight? Ie, where the FBH would be in Europe etc?

Is the story any different when mounting in the second battery bay? The ‘empty’ box in front of the driver? (LHD)

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Same restrictions. My battery post clamp - the butterfly nut has left marks in the plastic cover.

I've had a traxide system in my D3 for about 12 months now, and it is connected to a yellowtop Optima.
Battery is working fine with no corrosion or warping. It is working like it should!
When I had my diesel Wrangler, the starting battery supplied ex factory, and which lasted 4 years until I sold it, was a Yellowtop Optima. Also had no issues at all with it and it was flattenned twice.

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Originally Posted by AK83

D34 Optimas are 199mm at the tip of the terminal(measured).

In the D2 twin battery mod, where the single N70ZZ is replaced for two D34s, the 200mm terminal height is critical .. so in some situations it makes all the difference.
Have a dead battery with a 200mm body, 220mm terminal, height and it simply wouldn't fit under the bonnet properly. I couldn't see any way to make the dual battery tray any lower.

No problem cranking the Td5 over many times off a fresh new D34 yellow either.
The CCA value isn't all that different to the redtop D34 anyhow.
800CCA red, and 750CCA yellow in D34 spec.

Also .. I'm a bit confused as to the wholesaling bizo.
Whenever I search for(or used to search for) Optima battery specs(when I was fabricating the dual battery tray), the main website for Optima batteries used to take me to Century Batteries, who seem to deal in Optimas.
So I assumed that it was Century that was importing them.

I had(still have) a Century battery as my starter in my D1. Failed just prior to 12month(36 month warranty). Bought from Supercheap.
Supercheap did everything they could to avoid honouring the warranty.
Luckily for me the last time I took it in to the store the Century rep was there at the time, and I dealt with him directly. He immediately said it's dead(possibly dropped a cell), and worked out with the store the procedure for the warranty claim.
I just walked out with my new(same spec) battery. So far so good(6 months) but I'm not holding my breath.

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I really don't understand these sales people. If the battery test shows dead, or there's an obvious issue, they have nothing to lose by giving the customer a replacement. It's not like the loss will come out of the store profit... You tell the stockist when he returns and it gets swapped.... Done.

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Originally Posted by Eevo

$334.00?

i get my yellowtops for $315

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As I said in the post, it was considerably cheaper than the Optima when I bought it. If you pay retail prices for everything then you are paying way too much.

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Originally Posted by LuckyLes

As I said in the post, it was considerably cheaper than the Optima when I bought it. If you pay retail prices for everything then you are paying way too much.

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so how much did you pay?

Hi guys, I am late onto this one. I have a D4 and use an Odyssey Aux. Battery number PC1200. it is a 550 CCA. My vehicle has a Traxide dual battery setup, and this battery is now some 7 years old and still going strong. The Odyssey PC1200 batteries have a metal casing ( good for heat protection ) and come very close to the bonnet when closed as do the others . The manufacturers for Odyssey are an aircraft battery supplier ( USA ) . I have not checked recently but if you are in W.A. , Goodchilds used to be the agent. Hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by Eevo

so how much did you pay?

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It was 10 months ago and without going through paperwork I can't remember. This thread is not about what the cost is anyway, it is about dissatisfaction with the warranty given or not with the Optima. I will never have a warranty problem with the supplier that I purchased it from. All I was doing was giving another alternative. I won't bother next time.
Les

Tbh, it doesn't really matter if you paid $300 or $335 either say you've paid a lot of money for a 55AH battery, that has a trash warranty. I was considering purchasing something closer to 100AH rating and storing it in the boot behind the fridge, there's plenty of room there anyway. 55AH on just lasts long enough for 48hours running the fridge and lights without a drive anyway, I know there's solar options, but a larger battery would be much easier long term.