Group 47 Battery Recommendation

[patrickt]

Has anyone found a Group 47 battery for their 427 ERA that they think is particularly worthy of a recommendation?

[patrickt]

Well, obviously nobody gives a s--- about my battery.

Bob P., before I waste the money to find out, will an Optima 34R fit in my battery tray and fit the hold-downs? The Optima is 5/16" longer and 5/16" taller than the Group 47 specified by the Manual. Here are the specs:

Optima 34R -- 10 Length 6 7/8 Width 7 13/16 Height

Group 47 -- 9 11/16 Length 6 7/8 Width 7 1/2 Height

Thanks.

[strictlypersonl]

It's going to be tight. I would call someone who could apply a tape measure to the actual case rather than go by their published specs. The inside dimensions of the tray are almost exactly the battery's specs.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

It's going to be tight. I would call someone who could apply a tape measure to the actual case rather than go by their published specs. The inside dimensions of the tray are almost exactly the battery's specs.

I'll go to the store and measure it myself. Thanks.

[Omathisen]

My son has a red Optima in his GTV6 - in the garage next to my Cobra -- it measures 7 inches in height plus the posts, it is 7 inches wide, plus the side posts, and 10 inches long. It is fastened with a cross bar, and there are battery charger wires attached, so it was hard to get an absolute accurate read. As far as I can tell, a bigger issue than size will be whether it will sit securely in the ERA -- at least with my attachment. The Optima sits on tray. Best, go and look at it.

[xracerbob]

Patrick-

Don't let the deafening silence fool you, we all care very deeply about your battery.

I used one of these little guys-
http://www.brailleauto.com/

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by xracerbob

I used one of these little guys-
http://www.brailleauto.com/

I don't think the Optima is going to fit in the tray. I did find a Consumer Reports article that actually liked the Diehard International, which is the correct size, better than the Optima -- and they're roughly the same price. Those Brailles are about 10 pounds lighter than the Diehard. I didn't see any that had the BCI Group 47 size dimensions with the hold-downs on the end. Which one did you get and it fits iin your ERA tray?

[xracerbob]

Patrick-

I used this one:
http://www.brailleauto.com/productca...17&idproduct=1

I bought their hold down and had Doug mount it in the trunk. They have a variety of holders and brackets available. Tire Rack actually had the best price for the battery. I think the next size up (17 lb unit) is closer to the Group 47 size.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by xracerbob

I bought their hold down and had Doug mount it in the trunk.

I wish I had done that. When the Diehard gives out I very well might move it all to the trunk.

[Pete Munroe]

I got 5 years from my first Exide "spiral wound" sealed cell battery. I think it had a 6 or 7 year guarantee.

In that period I had several rebuilt alternator failures, always 1.5-2 hours from home, and it got drained completely...last time fried a new rebuilt alternator trying to drive it home at nite with a battery close to dead...pegged the ammeter at 60+ plus amps for an hour or so!

But, got 5 years use and then 2 years price adjustment on the price from the folks that sold it.

The new Exide is the same, another spiral wound sealed cell. The alternator has been since been upgraded to a new build 65 amp unit that looks like an original 65' Ford alternator with the rounded type housing...hecho en Costa Rica.

Exide works fine for me...battery in the right rear fender, so, a long cable but the cable is #1? or #0. It is huge.

Pete