Author |
Message |
DeadheadSF Samba Member
Joined: July 09, 2012 Posts: 129 Location: San Francisco Bay Area
|
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
Bruce wrote: |
I think your criticism is unwarranted. I bet Jim simply doesn't know the exact answer of how to make one of their current batteries fit a car that hasn't been sold here for the last THREE DECADES! |
Perhaps - I should give him benefit of the doubt. My apologies to Jim, but the corp-speak wording of his reply set me off. It's something I'm getting sick of hearing everywhere I go. It's usually an indicator of what kind of corp-speak replies I'll get if I have a problem with the product or need warranty service, so I see it as a reason to avoid the hassles.
For now, I'll just stick with Interstate batteries - reliable, readily available, check it now and then and make sure it's not leaking, good enough.
I also wasn't aware how rare a Group 42 battery is these days. _________________ What a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG strange trip it's been...
'69 Standard Type 1 - stock, mint. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
OptimaJim Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2009 Posts: 19 Location: Wisconsin
|
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 4:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I apologize if I came off sounding too much like a corporate non-reply, as that certainly wasn't my intent. Unfortunately, some fitments involve vehicles that came from the factory with batteries located in unvented areas, including many VWs. I don't know the exact reasons why, but I'm sure millions of dollars worth of personal injury lawsuits and/or associated lawyers fees have resulted in me not being able to give specific advice on many custom applications. This is especially due to the fact that all I have to go on is limited information someone posted on a message board about a vehicle that, as Bruce pointed out, hasn't been sold here in 30 years and I can't see it in person.
By the way, if you think Snort's advice about warranty service is sound, make sure you contact him for assistance, if it turns out to be the case. It's not that we don't offer warranty service for batteries used in custom fitments, because we do. However, when someone's idea of a custom fitment is cutting off the top posts to make a battery fit in a particular space (which people have done), then they won't get coverage, regardless of whether or not they registered their battery.
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Raceace24 Samba Member

Joined: November 15, 2013 Posts: 202 Location: PA.
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
OptimaJim wrote: |
I apologize if I came off sounding too much like a corporate non-reply, as that certainly wasn't my intent. Unfortunately, some fitments involve vehicles that came from the factory with batteries located in unvented areas, including many VWs. I don't know the exact reasons why, but I'm sure millions of dollars worth of personal injury lawsuits and/or associated lawyers fees have resulted in me not being able to give specific advice on many custom applications. This is especially due to the fact that all I have to go on is limited information someone posted on a message board about a vehicle that, as Bruce pointed out, hasn't been sold here in 30 years and I can't see it in person.
By the way, if you think Snort's advice about warranty service is sound, make sure you contact him for assistance, if it turns out to be the case. It's not that we don't offer warranty service for batteries used in custom fitments, because we do. However, when someone's idea of a custom fitment is cutting off the top posts to make a battery fit in a particular space (which people have done), then they won't get coverage, regardless of whether or not they registered their battery.
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries |
For the love of Pete, why can't anyone just tell us which Optima battery fits best in our cars?
I have a '70 Standard Beetle with a regular rear seat.
Group 42 is the standard type of battery that fits my vehicle.
From my research here, an Optima 35 or 34R would be the best choice as long as I keep the steel seat springs from contacting the terminal.
All I need to know is if my information is correct ?
A simple "yes" or "no" would suffice......!  _________________ ~ No matter where you go......there you are ~
Michael E ~ Raceace24 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Volks Wagen Samba Member

Joined: February 13, 2013 Posts: 2926 Location: Germany
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:14 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Raceace24 wrote: |
OptimaJim wrote: |
I apologize if I came off sounding too much like a corporate non-reply, as that certainly wasn't my intent. Unfortunately, some fitments involve vehicles that came from the factory with batteries located in unvented areas, including many VWs. I don't know the exact reasons why, but I'm sure millions of dollars worth of personal injury lawsuits and/or associated lawyers fees have resulted in me not being able to give specific advice on many custom applications. This is especially due to the fact that all I have to go on is limited information someone posted on a message board about a vehicle that, as Bruce pointed out, hasn't been sold here in 30 years and I can't see it in person.
By the way, if you think Snort's advice about warranty service is sound, make sure you contact him for assistance, if it turns out to be the case. It's not that we don't offer warranty service for batteries used in custom fitments, because we do. However, when someone's idea of a custom fitment is cutting off the top posts to make a battery fit in a particular space (which people have done), then they won't get coverage, regardless of whether or not they registered their battery.
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries |
For the love of Pete, why can't anyone just tell us which Optima battery fits best in our cars? |
Link
_________________ 1973 1303 with AB-motor - sporadic
reconstruction as time permits, 1986 ex-Bundeswehr Doka - on the road again.
I'm definitely, probably, the worlds greatest lover.
Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
airschooled Air-Schooled

Joined: April 04, 2012 Posts: 12279 Location: East of Eden
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 5:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Raceace24 wrote: |
For the love of Pete, why can't anyone just tell us which Optima battery fits best in our cars? |
Most of us don't need a new battery, so we're too lazy to take a tape measure to our cars to find out for you.
http://www.interstatedealers.com/ibcatalog/common/automotive_spec.pdf
^they list dimensions of common automotive battery sizes so you can do the legwork.
Robbie _________________ FOR SALE: bay window clear front windshield glass, no tint stripe. $200 local pickup in San Diego, CA.
www.airschooled.com
---
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
heimlich  VWNOS.com

Joined: November 20, 2016 Posts: 5651 Location: Houston, Texas
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: Optima Battery |
|
|
3478DT fits well in my 73 but I do not have a backset in it yet. It appears that the top of the terminals are the same height as the seat bracket.
If you want to see if one fits take your car to the auto parts place and, without buying it, ask them if they will let you place it there to check the fit. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Volks Wagen Samba Member

Joined: February 13, 2013 Posts: 2926 Location: Germany
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 1:05 pm Post subject: Re: Optima Battery |
|
|
kawfee wrote: |
If you want to see if one fits (snip), without buying it, ask them if they will let you place it there to check the fit. |
I wonder how that would work out with chics.  _________________ 1973 1303 with AB-motor - sporadic
reconstruction as time permits, 1986 ex-Bundeswehr Doka - on the road again.
I'm definitely, probably, the worlds greatest lover.
Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
67rustavenger  Samba Member

Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 8483 Location: Oregon
|
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 1:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I just asked the Optima battery guy in my city if the the 35 would fit under the rear seat of a 67 Beetle. The answer was no. All 12v Optima batteries are too tall to fit under the rear seat.
He did suggest an alternative battery that looks promising.
A FullRiver AGM battery model 47. It has the same dimensions as a group 42 battery. The only difference is there flanges at the ends of the battery as well as the front and back flanges. This battery can be mounted in any orientation that you wish.
He stated that the latest car Stereo guys have great success using this battery. It's worth a shot.
http://www.fullriverbattery.com/product/batteries/FT610-47
Good Luck.
Raceace24 wrote: |
OptimaJim wrote: |
I apologize if I came off sounding too much like a corporate non-reply, as that certainly wasn't my intent. Unfortunately, some fitments involve vehicles that came from the factory with batteries located in unvented areas, including many VWs. I don't know the exact reasons why, but I'm sure millions of dollars worth of personal injury lawsuits and/or associated lawyers fees have resulted in me not being able to give specific advice on many custom applications. This is especially due to the fact that all I have to go on is limited information someone posted on a message board about a vehicle that, as Bruce pointed out, hasn't been sold here in 30 years and I can't see it in person.
By the way, if you think Snort's advice about warranty service is sound, make sure you contact him for assistance, if it turns out to be the case. It's not that we don't offer warranty service for batteries used in custom fitments, because we do. However, when someone's idea of a custom fitment is cutting off the top posts to make a battery fit in a particular space (which people have done), then they won't get coverage, regardless of whether or not they registered their battery.
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries |
For the love of Pete, why can't anyone just tell us which Optima battery fits best in our cars?
I have a '70 Standard Beetle with a regular rear seat.
Group 42 is the standard type of battery that fits my vehicle.
From my research here, an Optima 35 or 34R would be the best choice as long as I keep the steel seat springs from contacting the terminal.
All I need to know is if my information is correct ?
A simple "yes" or "no" would suffice......!  |
_________________ My stolen car and recovery story,
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=761967
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
andk5591  Samba Member

Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16722 Location: State College, PA
|
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 5:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Raceace24 wrote: |
OptimaJim wrote: |
I apologize if I came off sounding too much like a corporate non-reply, as that certainly wasn't my intent. Unfortunately, some fitments involve vehicles that came from the factory with batteries located in unvented areas, including many VWs. I don't know the exact reasons why, but I'm sure millions of dollars worth of personal injury lawsuits and/or associated lawyers fees have resulted in me not being able to give specific advice on many custom applications. This is especially due to the fact that all I have to go on is limited information someone posted on a message board about a vehicle that, as Bruce pointed out, hasn't been sold here in 30 years and I can't see it in person.
By the way, if you think Snort's advice about warranty service is sound, make sure you contact him for assistance, if it turns out to be the case. It's not that we don't offer warranty service for batteries used in custom fitments, because we do. However, when someone's idea of a custom fitment is cutting off the top posts to make a battery fit in a particular space (which people have done), then they won't get coverage, regardless of whether or not they registered their battery.
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries |
For the love of Pete, why can't anyone just tell us which Optima battery fits best in our cars?
I have a '70 Standard Beetle with a regular rear seat.
Group 42 is the standard type of battery that fits my vehicle.
From my research here, an Optima 35 or 34R would be the best choice as long as I keep the steel seat springs from contacting the terminal.
All I need to know is if my information is correct ?
A simple "yes" or "no" would suffice......!  |
I dont remember - just got whatever one was supposed to fit. Have them in 3 of our cars. Just checked an old post have 75/25 in at least one car and someone else posted they use a 78. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
evillrdnikon Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2014 Posts: 164 Location: Las Vegas
|
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: Optima Battery |
|
|
Between the odyssey and the Optima, I see only one benefit over the other. the Optima has everyone asking "does it fit, will it fit? how did you make it fit"
So the optima battery does not come in the correct size, but the odyssey does come in the correct size!
sounds like if you want an easy drop in solution that of great quality go with the odyssey battery, otherwise you will be dealing with issues with the battery hitting or shorting or whatever issues you run into. Fullriver batteries i didn't see any group 42 size translations so i am assuming they do not make a group 42.
the odyssey PC1200MJ is what the company recommended when i called them. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
heimlich  VWNOS.com

Joined: November 20, 2016 Posts: 5651 Location: Houston, Texas
|
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 3:38 pm Post subject: Re: Optima Battery |
|
|
Just measure the height you have in your battery area. Measure the battery, Ensure the cranking amps/etc match and go with it.
I was on the road and needed a quick battery. I went to Walmart and bought their $50 special. Worked fine for the 4 hour tow home and continues to work. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|