Superformance Battery Replacement

[madmaxx]

Something does not make sense, you can easily charge a gel cel with a convetional batter charger. You mechanic probably hooked up the leads backwards. You alternator puts out 55 dc amps same as his charge but his was 40 amps.

Originally Posted by SandyC

My Gel Cell battery CAUGHT FIRE today while my SPF was in a shop for service. One of the guys in the shop tried to start the car and nothing happened (it turned out he never turned on the battery switch) so he thought the battery was dead. So he attached a 40 amp conventional charger to the battery, an Optima Red Top, that was still in the car. A miracle happened in that he just happened to come back to the car a few minutes later and glanced in the trunk. To his horror he saw a small flame 2 to 3 inches high coming up out of one of the vents in the battery. He blew out the flame and shut off the charger. This flame was about 6 inches away from my fuel cell, whoa.

I think the moral of this story is NEVER charge a gel cell battery with a conventional battery charger. It must be a charger designed for gel cells. Things like a fully filtered output and smart technology are required.

No damage to the car or cables and the shop replaced the battery with an exact duplicate at no charge (no pun intended). Dodged a bullet on this one.

[Bartruff1]

If it ain't broke don't fix it...Optima...maint free....sat all winter...fired right up...I have no interest in screwing with a battery... in the past I always seemed to hurt my back and spill the freaking acid...the boys at Les Swab have young and strong backs...

[Blas]

FYI:
Sometimes, when a battery cut-off switch is installed (by dealer or otherwise), the cut-off switch was supplied with a short cable. This short cable may have 2 problems with it:
First - it may be the wrong gage for a “+” side installation.
Second - It may be the wrong color for a “+” side installation.
Most people install the cut-off switch on the “+” cable (red), which is a long run cable and therefore a larger gauge than the “-“ side (a shorter run cable).
The problem that occurs is that the identification of the “+” and “-“ sides of the battery installed in the car can easily be confused with 2 black cables on the battery if you don’t look real close, especially by someone not familiar with the car: i.e. a serviceman or the cars next owner. I recommend you add some red tape to the “+” side wiring or something to prevent a problem.

[WildBill1965]

THE SPF's Diden't come with a battery from the factory. They were installed by the installer, so what ever their preference was!

[zzmac]

Originally Posted by Blas

Got the NAPA battery number and info handy?
Thanks

I bought it at Napa in Canada - Part #DT75-86-7 $147.49. I think it from was their 'Platinum?' series and it had almost the exact specs as the Optima Yellow Top, just $50 cheaper. I had to play around a bit to get the positive cable to reach (I think I just flipped over the clamp and used some longer bolts to make it fit) and it works great so far.

[Kasman]

My Superformance came with an Interstate MT 58R in 2003 and is still going strong cranking a big block Ford. Perfect fit, neat installation and comes with a lifting strap.

I would not hesitate replacing with same. Hope they are available in Canada

Kas

[zzmac]

Originally Posted by zzmac

I bought it at Napa in Canada - Part #DT75-86-7 $147.49. I think it from was their 'Platinum?' series and it had almost the exact specs as the Optima Yellow Top, just $50 cheaper. I had to play around a bit to get the positive cable to reach (I think I just flipped over the clamp and used some longer bolts to make it fit) and it works great so far.

The one I got at Napa has a strap and was a lot lighter than the Optima too.

[gene giambona]

I have an Odyssey drycell in my SPF and it works very well. The small size of this battery made it an easy fit in the battery box. You can find them for sale in your Summit catalog.