Guest imported_Speedster Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 I see that Quail Services has 2 versions of the faux battery boxes for 6.volt Optima batteries, (the older tar-top type and the later smooth-top type) I will call them to get more info and maybe order one, to check it out. Attached is picture of the tar-top type:URL: http://quailservices.com/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 I called them and got prices and some Info: Model 2D, Smooth-top, $54. Model 2LD, Tar-top look, $74.The straps on Tar-top type are painted to look like lead.Lids are held on by cables only.Made from ABS plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 I found a '60s style, group 27, battery and did some measurements on it and a red-top Optima and found that it would Not fit. The length is okay but they are almost the same width so the Optima won't fit inside and the top-post terminals are a lot closer together on the Optima (5 1/2" vs 9 1/2"). Even if someone made a box that is a little wider the top-posts wouldn't look correct. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> And a Group-60 Battery is not as wide as a group-27 is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 I found a Good Battery Group Size Chart:http://www.rtpnet.org/~teaa/bcigroup.html Looks like a Group-74 battery (whatever that is) may be large enough to hold an Optima 12.volt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted January 16, 2005 Share Posted January 16, 2005 JT I had seen the Tar-topper but it is Not a complete box. It only covers 3 sides of the Optima battery. I'll try to call them and find out why they made it like that?URL:http://www.tartopper.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted January 16, 2005 Share Posted January 16, 2005 Brian I'm just trying to find ANY battery case that the Optima 12.volt will fit into. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Then I'll worry about the Tray later. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> LOLHas anyone ever used a Group-74 battery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted January 16, 2005 Share Posted January 16, 2005 I called Tar-topper.com and they will add an additional side plate, if needed.The side pieces are held on with 2-sided tape. You can't order these online, need to print out the orderform from website and mail it with personal check, (no creditcards accepted). It will fit any of the Optima 12.volt battries. I'm going to order one and will let you know how it checks out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted January 27, 2005 Share Posted January 27, 2005 I received the Tar-Topper for 12.volt Optima. It looks better than I thought it would but there are problems trying to install it in '56 Clipper. The Optima does not fit down into the battery-tray (by about 1/4") and the holddown bracket doesn't fit the Tar-Topper (by about 1/4"), without modification. The other problem is that since the Neg. post of battery needs to be toward front of car, that puts post of battery toward engine, making that side more visible and when trying to apply the Tar-Topper side cover it hits the side terminals of battery, causing the side cover to not fit properly. The battery would have to modified by grinding off about 3/16" from side terminals to make it fit flush. So the conclusion is that it can only be used with modification of the Tray, Holddown and battery, Bummer. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 I think I have figured out a way to make it work. I can put a 1/4" piece of plywood under battery and it will fit tray, well enough, and I can bend out the holddown brackets sides, about 1/8" on each side, and Rivet it to the Tar-Topper cover. That way the cover becomes a perminant part of the holddown. That also covers the gap in side cover, caused the batteries side terminals. It looks a lot better that way than it does with just the Optima. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />So, My latest conclusion is that the Tar-Topper Cover is worth the time and money. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Brian The problem is, that at this time I don't think anyone makes that type battery that is Not too wide. There are other companies starting to make them tho, saw a new one on TV yesterday, can't remember it's name. (It was in a light blue colored square cornered case) So maybe someone will come out with a narrower case, soon. I need the check the terminal position of the new batteries also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Pushbutton Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 go to www.dcbattery.com/optima2.html or www.batteryweb.com/optima.cfm for a table of available optima batteries and their case dimensions, free of "what vehicle is this for" look-up limitations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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