Battery replacement

AZ-Z71 · July 17, 2003

I just bought the Optima red top battery. $119 plus tax. If I could have waited till the end of the week I could have gotten it at Costco for like $100 plus tax.

Anyway, question is this, the original battery was a size 80 and replacement batteries are usually size 75 which is a little shorter but the other dimensions I believe are the same. The original battery had a foam "shield" (for lack of a better word) wrapped around it. I'm guessing to add a little insulation from heat? With the smaller sized battery the foam thing is just too big or fits very loosly.

For anyone that changed their battery, what did you do with this foam thing?

Put it back on but left it baggy? Cut and make it fit better? Toss because it does not really matter?

Edited (add the following)

I found this information about it.

Information -- Battery Insulator Replacement

1999 and Prior Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks

It has been found that the battery thermal insulator (1), installed on many new General Motors vehicles, is not always being placed back on the vehicle's battery (2) when the battery is removed or replaced. The installation of the insulator is essential for battery life.

When a battery insulator is specified for use on a particular vehicle, the underhood temperatures for that vehicle are high enough to be critical to battery life. Omitting the thermal insulator when installing the battery will considerably reduce the life of the battery by exposing it to higher underhood temperatures. Inspect the insulator for any damage. If the insulator is damaged or missing, replace as required.

So I guess I should replace it but maybe I'll cut a slit in it to wrap the excess tighter around a smaller battery? That way if I ever get a battery like the size 80 I'll still have the material left for a bigger battery.

Tex2kZR2 · July 17, 2003

I bought a yellow top and just replaced the insulation around the new battery. I think I had to cut a couple of slits, that's it. It can't hurt putting it back on.