Date:         Fri, 9 Aug 2002 16:59:59 -0600
Reply-To:     Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Optima Battery Question (cutting terminal posts?)
Comments: To: Aaron Reams <aaron@interval.com>
In-Reply-To:  <50750ECDD09ED411AF9A00508B6A823B7C0878@harp.interval.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

I have experience cutting battery posts.  I cut the posts off a little on
another battery that did'nt really fit in the vanagon compartmennt (DPO)
and about a week later I noticed that battery acid was coming up thru the
battery posts!  Upon closer inspection i noticed that the post was
actually constructed of 2 pieces of lead, an inner piece and an outer
covering.  By cutting the post the acid seeped between the 2 pieces and
ruined the battery.  This was not an overpriced optima but based on what
they told you about it drying out the battery it is probably constructed
the same way.

Andrew Fox

 > Hi Volks, >
> I'm setting up my aux battery today.  Does anyone know if I can cut the top
> terminal posts off?  It's an Optima Yellow Top with both top and side
> terminals.  I would like to cut the top terminal posts down from 1" to about
> 1/4".
>
> Note:  I would think this would be okay, but I placed a call to Optima and
> they said that this would dry the battery out (and void my warranty).  I'm
> not sure I believe them about the drying out.  I would think those terminal
> posts are solid lead all the way into the battery.  Does anyone have any
> experience with this?
>
> Thanks!!
> Aaron
> -'85 Westy (almost ready for burning man:)
>