What kind of battery is in your Z?

[peng155]

Hey S30Driver,

How do you have your Red Top secured in the battery tray?

Need to find some sort of diversion from the TV right now... Hawks are getting schooled by the Chargers But it only the 3rd quarter.... still hope

Edited September 14, 2014 by peng155

[Carl Beck]

See:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/electrical-s30/29889-battery-bracket-red-optima-battery.html#post249206

Carl B.

[peng155]

thanks Carl

[Mike W]

I also use an Optima Red Top with positive and negative terminals reversed from original configuration. Best battery I have ever used. Started with marine applications first and now use them in all of my cars.

Instead of fabricating the bracket that Jeff G designed, I ended up going with a machined billet hold down plate that was specifically made for the Optimas. You can get these from numerous sources as well as eBay. I simply bolted the new Optima plate to the original battery plate that was welded into the Z. I had the back hold down bracket already installed, then slipped the battery in, then installed the front hold down bracket. It was a little tricky getting the bolts tightened and it was a relatively tight fit, but in the end it worked out great.

Here's a few pictures.

Mike.

[peng155]

Hey Mike,

thanks for the suggestion.... I actually did order a billet hold down frame from Summit for the Optima, and was going to do exact the same as you, but the tray for the one I had ordered was physically to big to fit in the factory tray area... ended up sending it back.

I know some metal work guys from work, with the plans that Carl linked to, I'll probably have a bracket made up for me...

Thanks all for your input... it is apprceated

Edited September 15, 2014 by peng155

[Jeff G 78]

Red Top in the White 72 - somewhere in this forum, I believe one person posted a diagram that shows how to build a custom top battery bracket for the Red Tops.

Thanks for linking my bracket drawing Carl. It was easy to make and only needed a few short welds which I had a friend do since I didn't have a welder at the time. I bought the steel at Home Depot.

Edited September 15, 2014 by Jeff G 78
Posted before reading all replies

[peng155]

Thanks for linking my bracket drawing Carl. It was easy to make and only needed a few short welds which I had a friend do since I didn't have a welder at the time. I bought the steel at Home Depot.

Hey Jeff,

Thanks for taking the time to come up with the CAD drawing for the bracket... it makes it real easy for me to just hand it to the metal guy's to fab up for me.

Phil

[Jeff G 78]

No problem Phil. I took CATIA training at work just before I bought my Optima and it was a good way to practice what I learned. I haven't used it much since then and couldn't possibly make that CAD model now. :stupid:

Don't forget to have the fabricator swap the cantilevered hole for a piece of small tube. It works better than the simple hole like I put in the CAD model. Using heavy duty Velcro as a cushion has worked well and is still in good shape after many years of use.

[Carl Beck]

Jeff - ZTek has a battery hold down for the OEM Battery. I sent him a copy of your drawing/model - and ask if he had anything like that for the Optima. Must say he makes some very nice pieces.. BLING!

Polished Billet 240Z Logo Battery Hold Down 70 78 Datsun S30 | eBay

Will let you know..

I like Mike W's set up as well. Thanks for Posting that Mike.

Carl B.

[peng155]

Don't forget to have the fabricator swap the cantilevered hole for a piece of small tube.

Hey Jeff,

I did see that change in your original post... good idea... I'll make sure I mention that to the fabricator when I see him.

Thanks again.

[Montezuma]

An Interstate Battery from Costco.

[71Nissan240Z]

Optima