24F Battery with Tabs

[Luva65wagon]

I drive by that place twice a day, but there's just something about a place called "Budget Batteries" that keeps me driving right on past. Will be interesting to see if you have any issues going forward.

They do sell fake covers for batteries - but they cost almost half as much as a new battery. I agree, some of the labels are pretty ugly in a car you open the hood on.

[64SprintV8]

Since I replaced my old battery with a Costco/Kirkland one that was much smaller I had to secure the new one somehow. After reading the thread and thinking about the tabs I decided to use the tab clamp in a different way. So I did this tonight for under $5. Used Flat Punched 1/16 inch thick and bent it to the proper config, rolling the edges to ensure no random hand damage (cuts, scrapes, etc.) would occur in the future. Better than a bungy cord I guess .

[Guy Monjure]

The tab you made looks great. With the new battery and hold down tab it looks to good for your battery tray.
Guy

[64SprintV8]

I noticed that in the pictures too. I'll tackle that when I do the engine compartment "clean and shine" project. Maybe when it gets warmer.

[Luva65wagon]

I was going to post an observation, but shoot I always post observations. And then I thought, "I know, so what's stopping you now?" So here is my observation...

I assume this is pipe strap, which is pretty strong when it comes to pulling strength, but not bending strength. I would suggest adding a bolt lower on the fender apron. This will keep the strap from bending outward at the bolt you currently have on the apron. I did a couple photo edits to show you what I mean. Hope this helps.

[64SprintV8]

Well it is Flat Punched 1/16 inch stock so it is pretty hefty for the task at hand. I do like the lower mount point you have illustrated which would alleviate any chance of outward bowing/bending. I just wish I would have thought of it at the time of fabrication and installation . Now I have to figure out if I want to add another bolt or shorten the strap and just have one and then plug the other hole I drilled.

Thanks for the input, it makes it a better and stronger design.

[Luva65wagon]

Two bolts are better than one. I'd just drill another hole down yonder, slap a bolt in and a nut on the underside and call it good. Be sure to check for "things" on the back-side before you drill, of course. You should be able to do it with a hand drill and a 5/16" bit in just a few minutes.

On a side note, I highly recommend this to any of you who work on your own car and want to drill into sheet metal. Go to Harbor Freight and get one of their 3-piece step-drill packs. They're always on sale with a coupon for about $8. These things are surprisingly high quality (for Harbor Freight) and make perfectly round holes in sheet metal. I have a set in every tool box. Anyone who uses drills a lot knows you get a rather "triangular hole" using a regular drill bit in sheet material.

[Guy Monjure]

Could you tell me what benifits you get from installing a smaller battery? And I don't blame you for waiting for warmer weather for a clean and shine!

Guy

[64SprintV8]

No benefits, other than easier to re-install and lug around. I suppose you could make the case for more room around the pullies, belts, and the generator/alternator but for me, I just needed a new battery to get to the Jingle Bell Cruise. At the time the Costco I went to did not have one in stock that "matched" the Interstate one I had. They had one with the poles reversed that was close but then I would have to get longer battery cables, etc. He then looked in the catalog and this one showed up for 64 Falcons and Mustangs so I took it for $60.

What the experts say about Kirkland and Optima Brands

Kirkland
If you're a member of Costco then you will be able to purchase the Kirkland batteries. These are some of the best value batteries on the market. They can handle extreme temperatures, have very long life spans and are very affordable. Don't turn up your nose at these great value for money batteries, because Kirkland batteries are ranked right up there with Optima, some of the highest rated and most expensive high performance batteries on the market.

Optima
Optima Batteries will last two or three times longer than a normal conventional battery as we know them.
This battery can be used in many different types of vehicle and used in any terrain. The battery will never spill acid if it is overturned in a vehicle and includes a vibration resistant design. The actual cells are wound in a spiral. This is quite a clever construction because it gives a larger area of coverage for the lead alloy electrodes. The power is greatly increased, when compared to our normally shaped battery. All of this comes with a higher than normal price

If ever you need to recharge an Optima battery then this can be accomplished up to ten times faster than a normal conventional battery. Optima spiral cells batteries have now been in development since the early eighties. The teething problems with this type of battery are now long gone.

[Guy Monjure]

Hey, thanks for the schooling on batties. I thank you for your time in answering my question. Good luck with your new battery tab and on a personal note I'm not the type of person to turn his nose up at anything or anyone. I have found it much more satisfing helping people and just like to learn as much as I can.
Thanks,
Guy

[Luva65wagon]

Indeed, that's good to know that Costco has good batteries you can depend on. I'll be considering them since I need a new battery for my '07 Escape.

So Guy, I read the comment about "not being the type of person to turn up your nose at anything or anyone" and wonder what prompted it? I instantly think (because I'm so insecure ), "Shoot, did 'I' say something to make Guy make that comment?" I hope I didn't, but if I did, my sincere apologies.

We are all friends here and some of us are "engineer types" and some of us are trying... to quote a Beatles song, "get by with a little help from our friends." So, when someone, like me, sees what another person has done, which may be questionable in regards to safety, I think to myself I'd be remiss to not point it out to them. As long as it's not worded something like, "You fool, what were you thinking!" I think we're all good here. That sort of thing has happened before, and we generally frown upon that sort of behavior.

I, of course, applaud anyone who has a go at it on their own, but we've all learned from mistakes - and we all hope to help others avoid the mistakes we, ourselves, have made. That should not be mistaken, hopefully, as criticizing the thing they did. This is, too, the underlying reason there are forums like this one. We're here to help as best we can through this limited medium.

If, of course, I've totally shoved my foot into my mouth...

[64SprintV8]

I think Guy might be referencing the Expert Quote of "Don't turn up your nose at these great value for money batteries..". If that is the case, I appologize for any misunderstanding, as I had just cut and pasted it from a review website.

As to the over-information I shared on the batteries.. I thought folks might be interested from a cost/performance perspective. I also thought the descriptive nature of the Optima was very enlightening, especially for myself. I had no idea about all the engineering and benefits of the Optima.

Hope that clears the air, if in fact it needed clearing.

[Luva65wagon]

Oh... I don't know why I didn't see that the 3 times I read it.

[Guy Monjure]

Good Morning,

No apologies needed please. All of you guys have been a great help to me over this past year. I have enjoyed the club, and have benifited from both your knowledge and friendships. I only wish I lived closer and could hang out with you guys.

In the e-mail for the next club meeting I received it states this may be the last year for the Rainier Falcons. Whats up with that?

I'm going to finish wiring up the altenator this weekend and install the battery.

Well the season ended for New Orleans yesterday. But I must say my home team had an exciting year all and all. Its hard to win a game with five turnovers! Of the teams left who are you guys routing for? I would like to see New York win it all.

Guy

[Luva65wagon]

Guy, I was making a play on the [I thought it to be] common knowledge that the end of the world was coming because the Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012. We all hope those Mayan's were wrong and the club (and the rest of the world) will survive to see 2013.