Anyone use a gel-mat battery? How'd you install it?

[gbeaird]

It looks like it's time for a new battery in our 86. In my effort to rid my garage of wet-acid batteries, and all the damage they cause, I'd like to use something like a Braille, Optima, etc., gel acid battery. Since I have the SVO-specific smaller battery tray, I'd like to go with something like a Braille to help reduce weight up front some more. Since the car will be a limited-use vehicle, and since it's a low-compression turbo, I figure a smaller battery would be an ideal replacement.

So has anyone installed one? How did you mount it and how did you hold it in place? Thanks for any info.

[gbeaird]

Wow. 25 views and no replies. I've been looking, and it appears that a red top Optima is almost the right size to fit, being just 13/16" wider than the factory battery. I haven't had a chance to get out in the shop and compare, but has anyone tried fitting one of these? Thanks.

[svono50]

Sorry Gene, never tried one in any application. I have been looking at the red top Optima as my current battery doesn't have a lot of life left, but I am not sure I can swallow the price on that battery. Reason being, my current Motorcraft battery is close to 10yrs old and still works, so do I really need an AGM battery. For weight the Braille would certainly be the ticket, as they are something like 7-10 lbs if my memory serves me right. Only thing is, they have very little extra capacity in the event of a starting issue. Good luck.

[GAboySVO]

I tried the Optimu red top in my300ZXTT. It is a garage queen and can sit for weeks without cranking. The red top didn't last a year. My neighbor has a garage queen that has a yellow top and he uses a battery tender and has never had an issue. If I were to ever buy another, it would be at a minimum the yellow top.

[gbeaird]

Mike, for garage queens, you _have_ to put one on a Battery Tender. We have several of our vehicles with AGM batteries, and they will last a long time if they are either used every day, or put on a Battery Tender. Before putting things on a tender, like you, I was lucky to get a year out of them, even if I disconnected them when not in use.

The battery in our CP Autocross car is the first one I've had to replace after putting everything on the tender. It lasted about 6 years, and literally went from working one day to a dead cell the next day. Luckily, the battery died on the trailer. Unfortunately, it was after we had dragged the car 50 miles to an event.

The reason I want to go with AGM is to stop the acid damage. The battery in the SVO has already spilled acid on the hood latch cable, so it will need to be replaced. Usually when the batteries die, they overflow acid, screwing everything they come in contact with up. I'm done with them. Yes, the AGM batteries are expensive, but it it'll prevent ruining something I can no longer get, it's priceless.

I'll be doing some measuring this weekend, to see just how big I can get. Thanks all.

[TheViking]

I tried the Optimu red top in my300ZXTT. It is a garage queen and can sit for weeks without cranking. The red top didn't last a year. My neighbor has a garage queen that has a yellow top and he uses a battery tender and has never had an issue. If I were to ever buy another, it would be at a minimum the yellow top.

I went through two red-tops and will likely never use another. They don't seem to last well on cars that sit a lot. Tenders certainly help/solve a lot of the issue but I still found the Motocraft to be much more forgiving.

[gbeaird]

If I could get a Motorcraft battery that's not filled with liquid acid, I'd be all over it. I'm on a quest to get lead-acid batteries out of my shop!

[svodad]

P1251384.jpg

I use the odyssey pc680, with powder coated jacket, weighs less then 16 lbs, so far lasting 5 years. Does not look stock, but frees up space. Can be mounted in various positions. ~Jim

[Erics SVO]

I know a guy who got one of the new Lithium batteries for his 2011. Sucker was small!

[gbeaird]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]42516[/ATTACH]

I use the odyssey pc680, with powder coated jacket, weighs less then 16 lbs, so far lasting 5 years. Does not look stock, but frees up space. Can be mounted in various positions. ~Jim

Ahh, so you just used the Odyssey battery mount and mounted it to the inner fenderwell. i was thinking about doing a similar job, but laying the battery on it's side and using the factory battery tray as the base, using the Odyssey mount as a hold down. Do you think that would work? Thanks.

[Ford Builder]

Am still old school I have new Motorcraft battery in my car. looks correct for the car.

[escogt]

Am still old school I have new Motorcraft battery in my car. looks correct for the car.

Same here. It just looks 'right'.

[gbeaird]

You'll get no argument from me over it not looking 'right'. I'd _love_ to get a 56-series dry- or gel-cell battery for our 86, but it appears they just don't make them. I'm already having to replace the hood release cable assembly due to corrosion from the liquid acid spilling out on the cable. I really, _really_ want to get liquid acid out of the car, and am willing to have something that doesn't 'look' right to do so.

I think a Braille or Odyssey battery, laid on it's side, and held down with the battery vendor's holder will work. More importantly, I believe it will be reversible with little evidence of the previous aftermarket configuration (holes in the battery tray that will be covered by the stock-size battery) should I, or the car's next owner (when I'm long gone) wish to do so. It's a shame I can't get a 'battery topper' in the factory size, but my web searches for such a thing have come up empty.

The weight savings would be an added plus, but again, my sole goal is to get liquid acid out of the car!

I'll definitely post up pictures as I install this thing, once I get it.

[gbeaird]

I purchased an Odyssey PC925 and the accompanying aluminum holder. I got it secured to the factory tray in a matter that I'll be able to get the tray mounted via the factory mounting bolts. I'll hopefully get it back in the car soon, but I'm cleaning that corner of the engine bay, so it may be a few weeks. Here's what the battery mounted on the factory tray looks like:

[Ford Builder]

Wow looks like a motor cycle battery ? I now they have lots of power.