Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications General Mods Help with Optima Red Top Installation

Hey guys, I have a 2000 SE Contour and bought an Optima Red Top from AutoZone. I tried installing it today, and the negative terminal hooked up fine, but I couldn't hook up the positive terminal because the stock wires aren't long enough. I know some other of you have bought this battery and have made it fit. I would like to hear from the Duratec users because I think the two positive wires that aren't long enough have something to do with the PAT system, because I can hook up the main positive wire to the battery it is just the other two stock wires that aren't long enough. Thanks, and if you can, pictures would help.

Haven't hooked up one, but can't you turn these on thier sides, etc?

Food for thought.

TB

I would think that it should be just like a stcok battery. Are the posts in the reverse postiion in relation to the stock battery? (pos in the place of the old neg and vice verse).

I believe baco99 just installed the red top in his SVT not too long ago.
he turned his on its side.

Thats why I have the Optima Orange Top. I tried to put the red in and found the same problem. DO NOT try to spin the battery around so that the posts are on the right side, they will be too close to the front of the car and may damage the hood when you close. I think Baco found a reverse pole location....Although he is a bitish car guy so He may have switched the electrical systmes polarity or something.....Just kidding Baco!!

I know there is a reverse pole style on the oranges and even still I had to move the battery to the back of the tray and as close to the engine as possible.

Good luck!

I have an Optima Yellow Top -- I too tried to mount it in the correct upright position and couldn't get it to work without having to lengthen the cables.... To install it I had mount the battery on the side and bend the negative battery connection slightly (flatten) so you can hook it up safely in the rear.. I added terminal posts to the top of the side mount and use it for all my accessories.. works great at shows and whatnot cuz I can't start my car if I wanted to..

follow the pictures in my link if you wanna see it installed to make sense of what I am talking about..
page 2 of 5 I believe

I just lengthened the yellow/black wire going to the positive.