What's the biggest battery.......

[rabbitman]

that will fit in a mk1 rabbit?

The one I have now is a supercrank 675cca goin' on 4 year old and it's been good. But this winter I've noticed a definite decrease in cranking speed and at 0F (not plugged in) the battery will sometimes die before it'll start.

I know I want an Interstate, and I want the biggest one that'll fit, I've seen the size 24f is 800cca and another good one is size 34.

Anyone know if one of these will fit under the hood?

Thanks

[GEE-BEE]

OPTIMA 34/78 800 CCA /CA1000

OPTIMA 8004-003

here is a good mount for it , Ebay item 170441174238

Gee-Bee

I will be using this mount behind the passenger seat and will make up some new cables, side post mount.

[Turbinepowered]

My experiences with Optima have been bad. They have one shot left to earn my trust back. 

[mystery3]

OPTIMA 34/78 800 CCA /CA1000

OPTIMA 8004-003

here is a good mount for it , Ebay item 170441174238

Gee-Bee

I will be using this mount behind the passenger seat and will make up some new cables, side post mount.

I have a 35/75? right now near the stock location on a mk3 battery tray bolted to the frame rail but was looking at putting it behind the passenger seat as well but I think I'm going to put it in a box but that tray looks pretty nice! Then figure the new wiring using the battery cable from an e30 which have a trunk mounted battery and some beefy cable (I think 00?) running into the engine compartment. The cable must be 10' long and can be had for a few dollars at the junkyard plus they usually look brand new because they're covered in carpeting.

[GEE-BEE]

That's the way mystrey man !
uh huh uh huh !

gee-bee

[Vincent Waldon]

My experiences with Optima have been bad. They have one shot left to earn my trust back.  

My reading suggests that they may be a poor choice for cold climates, despite their CCA ratings.  I've seen a fair amount of chatter about very short lifecycles under winter conditions and the people that seem to love 'em to death often come from the southern parts of the United States.  Perhaps just a coincidence, but no one in the VW club here in northern Alberta will run 'em, for instance.

I've never owned one myself but based on lots of circumstantial evidence I personally stick with conventional chemistry batteries for my winter starting needs... the biggest I can possibly shoehorn into the vehicle.    

Just one northern Canadian's perspective.

[rabbitman]

Yup, I've heard some about that, also I've heard of 'em blowing up for no reason too......sorta why I specified Interstate...........

[GEE-BEE]

member Stewardc is running for a few years with no problem

I asked him first, But than again Iam in So Cal ( SurfCity ) just blocks from the beach and we think 47 is cold

Gee-Bee

[lovinthedeez]

just got my red top.  my weather isn't as nice as gee bee's but, we rarely see it freeze.  the difference between the crappy bimart battery and the red top are night and day.  napa 149.99

[foxracer1]

My optima never gave me probs in below freezing weather with my 1.9 headed 1.6. always started.

Good cables
clean terminals
good grounds body to engine to batt.

When my car died i had to go start my summer ride so i could get around. Put the optima in the truck cause the trucks batt wouldn't light it off.

Optima for life. She's 2-3 yrs old now

[rabbitman]

member Stewardc is running for a few years with no problem

I asked him first, But than again Iam in So Cal ( SurfCity ) just blocks from the beach and we think 47 is cold

Gee-Bee

47°F is cold, if you're naked...   

Baaaahahahaha, how true. If it's summer time 47F feels chilly but we get only 3-4 months of summerish, then spring and fall take up a good chunk of the year and during that time 40-50F is normal. The rest of the year is winter..............

[8v-of-fury]

rabbitman, i would think that living in practically minus temps.. 47f would be gorgeous whats that in Celsius?... 50 is 10 I think..

I would love to live in a climate of 10-15C.. anything hotter and you start to sweat.. and thats not fun


I think I read something about New Optima's vs. Old Optima's ... old ones were built with better metals and stuff.. something that makes the new designs inferior.. that's all I know lol

[Turbinepowered]

My reading suggests that they may be a poor choice for cold climates, despite their CCA ratings.  I've seen a fair amount of chatter about very short lifecycles under winter conditions and the people that seem to love 'em to death often come from the southern parts of the United States.  Perhaps just a coincidence, but no one in the VW club here in northern Alberta will run 'em, for instance.

The problem with that, Vince, is I live in the SouthEastern US. We're in "deep winter" right now and the temps are barely in the negative C range (-5 and warmer) in the dead of night.

I had one that died right off the bat: two months' service. The replacement managed to make it a year, then quit holding a charge.

[theman53]

EVERSTART MAXX FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I have had one in my off road bronco for about 7 years. Get the 34/78 group if you can as I always use that battery as my backup for every vehicle I have. 3 year warrenty and usually the Wal-Marts around here will take anything if you have a receipt no questions asked if you have a problem. And if everything is junk no way to get a replacement your only out about 70.00 for a new 1,000 CA   800 CCA battery.

[8v-of-fury]

they call them Ever Start, because they aren't good enough to call them Always Start... when they leave you stranded (because they are a brand no body has ever heard of.. ) you ask.. do they Ever Start. lmao

$79 is a good price even if you only get 3 years out of it. your lucky to get that out of a high price one anyhow..