Thread: Optima D34 Yellow top or SSB DryCell HVT-50D AGM

It’s a bit strange this tread has popped up. My HVT-50D has just died. I fitted it December 2018.

Tim, my Traxide battery tray was also bought in 2018 would this have been one of the ‘new style’ that allows a HVT-70 to be fitted?

Hi kelvo and Ron, to fit the bigger battery in any of my kits supplied before 2021, you will need to remove the tray and bend one end down flat.

You will also need a new LONGER cable that runs from the isolator to the auxiliary battery's positive ( + ) terminal.

For an SC80 or DT90, the new cable needs to be a 35cm long 6B&S cable and for a USI-160 or a UST-175, you need a 25cm 3B&S cable.

NOTE all kits supplied from January 2021 are supplied ready to fit the new bigger battery and no modifications are needed.

Originally Posted by Narangga

Is height the issue? SSB HVT-50D is 60Ah and D34 is 55 Ah as far as I'm aware.

Not sure about height as I haven't fitted my battery tray yet, but I do believe the d34 is one of the only batteries that fit. The SSB-HVT-70D is very similar in dimensions and 85Ah, so will see if it fits height wise.

Originally Posted by drivesafe

Hi kelvo and Ron, to fit the bigger battery in any of my kits supplied before 2021, you will need to remove the tray and bend one end down flat.

You will also need a new LONGER cable that runs from the isolator to the auxiliary battery's positive ( + ) terminal.

For an SC80 or DT90, the new cable needs to be a 35cm long 6B&S cable and for a USI-160 or a UST-175, you need a 25cm 3B&S cable.

NOTE all kits supplied from January 2021 are supplied ready to fit the new bigger battery and no modifications are needed.

Tim,
Can you advise the thread size of the usi160 and SSB HVT-70LD terminal. I’ll be replacing my yellow top with one of these soon so will need to source some 3b&s cable and terminal lugs for this. Thanks

Hi Ashes, the cable from the USI-160 to the Auxiliary battery needs to be 25CM long 3B&S and have an 8M eye terminal on on end and a 6M eye terminal on the other end.

The cable running from the USI-160 back to the Cranking battery will be the correct length and the Black cable that connects the a Auxiliary’s negative ( - ) to earth is also the correct length.

Remove the two battery terminal studs with an Alan Key and use the 6M bolts and washers supplied with the SSB battery, to secure the cables to the top of the battery.

This a much easier and more secure way to fix the cables to the new battery and it also lowers the overall height of the new battery.

Hi Tim, or anyone that knows. Have you had a d34 and ssb hvt70d side by side? Or the ssb hvt50? I'm wanting to know the actual physical height difference in the cases (not the terminals). I can see it on paper, but sometimes that's not always correct.

Originally Posted by Vern

Hi Tim, or anyone that knows. Have you had a d34 and ssb hvt79d side by side? Or the ssb hvt50? I'm wanting to know the actual physical height difference in the cases (not the terminals). I can see it on paper, but sometimes that's not always correct.

I can vouch the SSB specs are perfect. I measured against them when fitting mine

Originally Posted by josh.huber

I can vouch the SSB specs are perfect. I measured against them when fitting mine

Oh, well that's me stuffed then. Height is my issue