question for optima/dual battery users

1meanGTA · 11-18-2006, 06:40 AM

i'm about to hook up my group 31a optima yellow top in addition to the stock exide battery. hooking it up is no problem, but securing it and possibly hiding it will be. the thing is huge, bigger than the regular optimas and it's shaped funny. how can i get the thing to stay put in the rear, and is there anyplace i could hide it?

Fish Man · 11-18-2006, 10:51 AM

what about that cargo pocket thing like where a stealth box

Fish Man · 11-18-2006, 10:52 AM

oops i forgot to finish that statement...i ment where a stealth box would go. stick it back there and put your stock sub cover back on (just realized you have an eddie bauer so you dont have that pocket, youve got a sub there, but obviously you dont use it with those 15s) so i'd pull that box out put the battery in, wire it all up and put the stock cover on

bamaboy1234 · 11-18-2006, 12:27 PM

any room under tha back seats?

in my 04 i have my G31 and a G34 batt under tha back seat with a good bit room left over

AUexplorer06 · 11-18-2006, 01:43 PM

I have two optimas in my stock location, it wasn't easy to get them to fit but they do.

*expo5.0* · 11-18-2006, 02:40 PM

when i add batteries i usually try to weld a small tray (like 1" bar around the base) and then i use the cheap "battery tie-down" kit from walmart.

the battery will "fit" into the tray (you could use angle bar and bolt this in too), and the tie down will ensure it doesn't move.

my starter battery is mounted in that manner where the stock sub used to be.

my other 6 deep cycles are just held in (on their sides) by angle brackets/my subwoofer enclosure.

1meanGTA · 11-18-2006, 02:42 PM

still need a way to actually secure the battery. i think the stock sub location will work. i found some g31a battery mounts on ebay for like 100-150 bucks each, i dont really want to spend almost enough to buy another battery just to get the thing bolted down.

1meanGTA · 11-19-2006, 06:42 AM

didnt see your post before i made mine expo. do you have any pictures of your battery rack?

**BrooklynBay** · 11-19-2006, 09:49 AM

The cheapest, and easiest way to conceal the battery is to mount it in a plastic battery box. You don't need any special hold downs, or trays. You could use carriage bolts to mount it to the frame in the rear. I've seen some pictures in another thread of somebody mounting the second battery (without a box) under the hood, so it's possible, but very cramped.

*expo5.0* · 11-19-2006, 04:23 PM

i don't have a picture of my starter battery.

i'm sure if you go and buy one of those battery tie down kits you'll be able to work something out similar

*Spdrcer34* · 11-23-2006, 11:25 PM

Like this?

E-mail me privately @ spdrcer34@aol.com to get the details. I will NOT put it out here for everyone to see.

Ryan

*expo5.0* · 11-23-2006, 11:47 PM

wtf not?

badge49 · 11-23-2006, 11:54 PM

1meanGTA -- I have a '97 4.0L and fit two Optimas under the hood with no new brackets/welding. I put the second battery behind the passenger headlight. You have to move stuff around, but you can make everything fit. For hold-downs, I use ratcheting straps. Also, be sure you put a power isolator between those batteries or you'll have a mess of problems. Check out my thread:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=167430

Abom · 11-24-2006, 01:51 AM

You can mount Optima batteries any way you want, even upside down. Perks of the gel cells. Also, they release no acid, and don't require to be ventilated if put in the passenger compartment.

Basically, you can get as creative as you want to.

*expo5.0* · 11-24-2006, 09:58 AM

don't need an isolator between two "same" batteries

ratchet strap works- but isn't going to look great when anyone else sees it

davesexplorer · 11-24-2006, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by expo5.0

wtf not?

shhh you're not supposed to know how to cut plastic and cut n' mount plexi...

davesexplorer · 11-24-2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1meanGTA

i'm about to hook up my group 31a optima yellow top in addition to the stock exide battery. hooking it up is no problem, but securing it and possibly hiding it will be. the thing is huge, bigger than the regular optimas and it's shaped funny. how can i get the thing to stay put in the rear, and is there anyplace i could hide it?

Those batteries may not "get along". Usually you want to stick with the same battery style/type/brand or something along those lines. When I tried running a stocker batt up front and a exide orbital deep cycle in back in my old 95 exploder the stocker died roughly a month later.

davesexplorer · 11-24-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badge49

1meanGTA -- I have a '97 4.0L and fit two Optimas under the hood with no new brackets/welding. I put the second battery behind the passenger headlight. You have to move stuff around, but you can make everything fit. For hold-downs, I use ratcheting straps. Also, be sure you put a power isolator between those batteries or you'll have a mess of problems. Check out my thread:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=167430

Are you really a meter-man? I do it one day a week for overtime pay here for the local PD.

I piss soo many folks off...

badge49 · 11-24-2006, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davesexplorer

Are you really a meter-man? I do it one day a week for overtime pay here for the local PD.

I piss soo many folks off...

Lol, I'm kinda a meter maid. I'm a CSO (Community Service Officer) at the CSU Chico State Police. That means I do a little of everything, and some ticket writing. My favorite to write are the handicap stall violations...$280 here!!!

davesexplorer · 11-25-2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badge49

Lol, I'm kinda a meter maid. I'm a CSO (Community Service Officer) at the CSU Chico State Police. That means I do a little of everything, and some ticket writing. My favorite to write are the handicap stall violations...$280 here!!!

Dam! Our Handicap vio's are only $50... our fines are low, but booting people is always fun, especially when they are standing there helpless!

I only do this saturdays, had fun today... rest of the time I handle the front desk of the station, all calls etc.

11-18-2006, 06:40 AM	#1
1meanGTA Wannabe Elite Explorer '98 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 91 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	question for optima/dual battery users i'm about to hook up my group 31a optima yellow top in addition to the stock exide battery. hooking it up is no problem, but securing it and possibly hiding it will be. the thing is huge, bigger than the regular optimas and it's shaped funny. how can i get the thing to stay put in the rear, and is there anyplace i could hide it? __________________ Alpine W205/H701 Revolution Design D9 - 4 Alpha Max/PSI 15s Genesis Profile Four Ultra - Creative SDX7 mids, TBI HDSS tweets Iraggi 240a, Optima g34 YT, 3 C&D 134ah, 15.3v MLA module, 120 ft 1/0, 200 ft^2 RAAMmat

11-18-2006, 10:51 AM	#2
Fish Man Wannabe Elite Explorer Marietta, GA 1995 Explorer XLT Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,794 Vehicle Specs	what about that cargo pocket thing like where a stealth box __________________ 1995 XLT 4x4 4.0L TT, AAL, Warrior Shackles, 3" PA body lift, Flowmaster, K&N, Pioneer DEH P7500mp HU, JBL P300.1 pushing a Memphis 10 in a stealth box, JBL BP80.4 running Autotek and MA components in some Q Logic kick panels, 33" BFG Mud Terrains on 15x8 AR-23s. My (really old) CarDomain Page

11-18-2006, 10:52 AM	#3
Fish Man Wannabe Elite Explorer Marietta, GA 1995 Explorer XLT Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,794 Vehicle Specs	oops i forgot to finish that statement...i ment where a stealth box would go. stick it back there and put your stock sub cover back on (just realized you have an eddie bauer so you dont have that pocket, youve got a sub there, but obviously you dont use it with those 15s) so i'd pull that box out put the battery in, wire it all up and put the stock cover on __________________ 1995 XLT 4x4 4.0L TT, AAL, Warrior Shackles, 3" PA body lift, Flowmaster, K&N, Pioneer DEH P7500mp HU, JBL P300.1 pushing a Memphis 10 in a stealth box, JBL BP80.4 running Autotek and MA components in some Q Logic kick panels, 33" BFG Mud Terrains on 15x8 AR-23s. My (really old) CarDomain Page

11-18-2006, 12:27 PM	#4
bamaboy1234 Wannabe Elite Explorer Auburn, AL 04' XLT Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 132 Vehicle Specs	any room under tha back seats? in my 04 i have my G31 and a G34 batt under tha back seat with a good bit room left over __________________ 04 Explorer -- Kenwood DDX-812 -- Hertz MLK2 Active RF T6004 -- RF T4002 -- RF 3 Sixty.2 RF T40001bd 4x DC Audio LVL 4 12s -- 8cu ft @ 38hz & 32hz 3 DEKA Intimidator batts -- 260a H.O. alt

11-18-2006, 02:40 PM	#6
expo5.0 Elite Explorer Red Wing, MN 1996 xlt Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,306 Vehicle Specs	when i add batteries i usually try to weld a small tray (like 1" bar around the base) and then i use the cheap "battery tie-down" kit from walmart. the battery will "fit" into the tray (you could use angle bar and bolt this in too), and the tie down will ensure it doesn't move. my starter battery is mounted in that manner where the stock sub used to be. my other 6 deep cycles are just held in (on their sides) by angle brackets/my subwoofer enclosure. __________________ C43 ///AMG 390/440 @ wheels + tasteful show ICE and cosmetics Explorer Roadster- 5.0, bags, all one-off body, hasn't moved in 3 years- parting out. Tahoe and G35x daily drivers- stockish Specialized S-works and p2, Giant Trance X, Marin Pine Mountain

11-18-2006, 01:43 PM	#5
AUexplorer06 Wannabe Elite Explorer Dothan/Auburn, Alabama 2002 Explorer Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 102 Vehicle Specs	I have two optimas in my stock location, it wasn't easy to get them to fit but they do.

11-18-2006, 02:42 PM	#7
1meanGTA Wannabe Elite Explorer '98 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 91 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	still need a way to actually secure the battery. i think the stock sub location will work. i found some g31a battery mounts on ebay for like 100-150 bucks each, i dont really want to spend almost enough to buy another battery just to get the thing bolted down. __________________ Alpine W205/H701 Revolution Design D9 - 4 Alpha Max/PSI 15s Genesis Profile Four Ultra - Creative SDX7 mids, TBI HDSS tweets Iraggi 240a, Optima g34 YT, 3 C&D 134ah, 15.3v MLA module, 120 ft 1/0, 200 ft^2 RAAMmat

11-19-2006, 06:42 AM	#8
1meanGTA Wannabe Elite Explorer '98 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 91 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	didnt see your post before i made mine expo. do you have any pictures of your battery rack? __________________ Alpine W205/H701 Revolution Design D9 - 4 Alpha Max/PSI 15s Genesis Profile Four Ultra - Creative SDX7 mids, TBI HDSS tweets Iraggi 240a, Optima g34 YT, 3 C&D 134ah, 15.3v MLA module, 120 ft 1/0, 200 ft^2 RAAMmat

11-19-2006, 09:49 AM	#9
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,689 Vehicle Specs	The cheapest, and easiest way to conceal the battery is to mount it in a plastic battery box. You don't need any special hold downs, or trays. You could use carriage bolts to mount it to the frame in the rear. I've seen some pictures in another thread of somebody mounting the second battery (without a box) under the hood, so it's possible, but very cramped. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

11-19-2006, 04:23 PM	#10
expo5.0 Elite Explorer Red Wing, MN 1996 xlt Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,306 Vehicle Specs	i don't have a picture of my starter battery. i'm sure if you go and buy one of those battery tie down kits you'll be able to work something out similar __________________ C43 ///AMG 390/440 @ wheels + tasteful show ICE and cosmetics Explorer Roadster- 5.0, bags, all one-off body, hasn't moved in 3 years- parting out. Tahoe and G35x daily drivers- stockish Specialized S-works and p2, Giant Trance X, Marin Pine Mountain

11-23-2006, 11:25 PM	#11
Spdrcer34 Speed Bremerton, WA 1992 Explorer XL Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,884 Vehicle Specs	Like this? E-mail me privately @ spdrcer34@aol.com to get the details. I will NOT put it out here for everyone to see. Ryan __________________ 1992 Ford Explorer XL - with a few bolt ons...

11-23-2006, 11:47 PM	#12
expo5.0 Elite Explorer Red Wing, MN 1996 xlt Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,306 Vehicle Specs	wtf not? __________________ C43 ///AMG 390/440 @ wheels + tasteful show ICE and cosmetics Explorer Roadster- 5.0, bags, all one-off body, hasn't moved in 3 years- parting out. Tahoe and G35x daily drivers- stockish Specialized S-works and p2, Giant Trance X, Marin Pine Mountain

11-23-2006, 11:54 PM	#13
badge49 Wannabe Elite Explorer Humboldt, CA '97 XLT 4X4 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 570 Vehicle Specs	1meanGTA -- I have a '97 4.0L and fit two Optimas under the hood with no new brackets/welding. I put the second battery behind the passenger headlight. You have to move stuff around, but you can make everything fit. For hold-downs, I use ratcheting straps. Also, be sure you put a power isolator between those batteries or you'll have a mess of problems. Check out my thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=167430

11-24-2006, 01:51 AM	#14
Abom Wannabe Elite Explorer Whitheorse, Yukon Territories 1996 4X4 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 285 Vehicle Specs	You can mount Optima batteries any way you want, even upside down. Perks of the gel cells. Also, they release no acid, and don't require to be ventilated if put in the passenger compartment. Basically, you can get as creative as you want to. __________________ 96' XLT Control Trac 4x4, WAR153 shackles and torsion twist, 130 amp alternator, 1000 watt power inverter. Cobra CB, Wilson 3 watt cellular amplifier, 3 watt analog bag phone, Motorola M800 fixed vehicle digital phone, Globalstar satellite handheld unit, and shoe phone in pocket. Communications or what

11-24-2006, 09:58 AM	#15
expo5.0 Elite Explorer Red Wing, MN 1996 xlt Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,306 Vehicle Specs	don't need an isolator between two "same" batteries ratchet strap works- but isn't going to look great when anyone else sees it __________________ C43 ///AMG 390/440 @ wheels + tasteful show ICE and cosmetics Explorer Roadster- 5.0, bags, all one-off body, hasn't moved in 3 years- parting out. Tahoe and G35x daily drivers- stockish Specialized S-works and p2, Giant Trance X, Marin Pine Mountain