Anyone using an Optima battery?

[MadRiver]

Just out of curiousity, is anyone running an Optima battery (yellow or red) in their Triumph? I'm thinking of going with a yellow top, but I'm not sure if it fits the box, and whether the battery hold-down bar will secure it. I would appreciate thoughts and comments!

Thanks as always.

B.

 

[Guest]

I have a red one, but it's in the trunk so I can't tell you about sizing. Spins the starter nicely though...

 

[Guest]

Hi Bill, yes, I have the red-top Optima and cannot say enough good things about it. Mostly, that I no longer have to use a battery tray and don't worry about acid eating my sheet metal anymore. (even had a brand-new battery tray crack and leaked acid onto my battery platform - ate a hole in it)
I fabricated the bracket shown below out of stock steel strap and angle iron and welded them together to grip the battery. Trust me, it ain't going nowhere! I trimmed a bit of the back of the battery housing (a little lip they had on it) and glued sheet rubber to the back and layered two sheets of rubber on the sheet metal below the battery (battery shelf) that is removable to cushion against abrasion.

Lot's of amps, clean and neat. Moss makes a fake-Lucas battery cover for those that want OE look. That doesn't bother me.

 

[RobT]

I have the red Optma, and hide it under a fake tar-top style plastic cover. Never had a problem.

Rob.

 

[MadRiver]

I have the red Optma, and hide it under a fake tar-top style plastic cover. Never had a problem.

Rob.

Rob, are you using the standard battery box and hold-down bracket on your 250?

 

[Kirk_Fisher]

I have a yellow top in my Range Rover. I love it. It started her every time when I lived in Vermont, even when it was -35. I left the lights on all day at Pico Mountain one day while I was skiing and she fired right up 10 hours later.

 

[roofman]

I have the red top, had to fabricate a new bracket.

 

[RobT]

I have the red Optma, and hide it under a fake tar-top style plastic cover. Never had a problem.

Rob.

Rob, are you using the standard battery box and hold-down bracket on your 250?

Yes - standard hold-down, and no plastic box - it just sits on the shelf. I have a couple of strips of rubber mat between the battery and the shelf, and the bulkhead to prevent any slipping and protect the paint, but that's all.

Rob.

 

[MadRiver]

Thanks everyone!!