Just picked up an Optima Yellowtop from AutoZone...

[Durrby]

and want to know what I will need to know to put it in my '95 I4. The guy said to just hook it up like normal, but if the wires don't reach to turn the battery around and switch the connections. Will I need to switch the terminals when I connect it. Will I need to use any of the 3 plastic pieces that came along with the battery.


...Basically can anyone help out and describe the whole installation process step by step.


Also will the screw up my alarm aftermarket stereo or my airbags???

Thanks in advance/

[foompla]

since i have no idea what your talking about in reference to "switching wires" ill just give you my 2 cents:

hook up positive first, then negative.

[Durrby]

^I mean when your looking at the engine the postive connection is on the left and negative on the right. If the battery cables are to short you flip the battery around 180 degrees and now the positive terminal will be on the right side and negative on the left.

[Phi]

Originally posted by foompla
hook up positive first, then negative.

^ what he said. If that means turning the battery 180 then go for it. As long as you get it hooked up properly and the battery is secured, you're good to go.

As for safety measures, if you're gonna be anywhere near the airbag, leave the battery disconnected for 15mins beforehand.

[Durrby]

doesn't seem the cables will be long enough to reach...any suggestions???

[foompla]

Originally posted by Durrby
doesn't seem the cables will be long enough to reach...any suggestions???

longer cables might do it

[Talisman]

Mine weren't long enough when I put it in the correct way and it's not like you can just flip the battery around hook up the terminals backwards. VERY BAD IDEA. So I just stretched the connectors. It's really not that hard. Just put the battery in and pull the cables. They have a little bit of give. I think I had to disconnect one of them as they were kinda held in place by a couple brackets and I bent the metal piece on one so because it was at an angle and I needed it to lay flat on the abttery. Really, it took like 5 minutes including thinking about how I was gonna do it. It should be easy.

[Durrby]

Aight everythings a go. My dad and I just kept tugging on the postive cable till it was finally a little free. The positive connection isn't sitting exactly flush with the the bottom, but everythings now connected so i'm happy.

[zoni]

yeah the optimas really fit bad in the camry... when i got mine i had to pull the shit out of the power one... you need to make sure you seperate the power wire from the other ones in that little plastic corner box. that way you dont wreck the wiring.

[Talisman]

Originally posted by Durrby
Aight everythings a go. My dad and I just kept tugging on the postive cable till it was finally a little free. The positive connection isn't sitting exactly flush with the the bottom, but everythings now connected so i'm happy.

Yup, just a little elbow grease should do it.

[goretro77]

Isn't the yellow top a deep cycle battery?
There is a Optima Redtop SLI (Start, Light,Ignition) battery. It comes 34 and 34R (Reversed Post) so it can come configured to fit your car setup. I put one in my 4Runner, will put one in my Camry and Celica when those regular batteries die out. It comes with a spacer too.

[BLUEMEANIE]

I had to strech the cables too for my yellow top

[warlock]

anyone got the red top?i know it is the same set up but looking to see if there is a big differance

[BILLSHEA99]

Durrby how much did you get the yellow top?

I'm thinkin bout getting the blue top myself, anyone know the pro's and con's on the two? Already looked at the website.. didn't do to much on the info, kinda wanted to know from sumone that has either one.

[Phi]

Yellow= Deep Cycle.

Blue= different colour. Not avail with GM sideposts