using 2 lawn mower batteries

Hey guys,
So I'm trying to find a spot to put the battery on a '39 Ford truck I am working on and struggling. The X-member I built limits on putting it in the frame and I really don't want to put it under the hood or fender. The only spot I can find is behind the seats. I really don't want to put a huge box behind the seat to hide a regular size car battery and I don't want to shell out 200 bucks on one of those fancy "hot rod" batteries. I was thinking if I could put 2 smaller lawn and garden batteries in parallel with around 300 CCA a piece it might work. Then I could just build a small, low ledge across the entire back behind the seats to hide them. I thought that would also work to put my fuse block, wiring, and batteries back there inside the compartment I could build and it would be a slick unit.

What do you think? Would it even work to have 2 small batteries in parallel? I have never heard of anyone using lawn and garden batteries like that.

Thanks,
Devin

 

they out gas alot, something to consider. exide makes good batteries in salina kansas. buy american?

 

Find a place to hide an Optima - they are fairly small as batteries go. Can you mount it under the floor or under the seat? Those are both old 'stock' locations.

 

Be careful about buying/using Optimas. I would do a search here and consider what is posted here before I jumped that way. By the way, years ago I had a MG Magnette sedan (1957) that was a 12 volt system and used 2 6 volt batteries in series behind the rear seat. Worked fine, but it was a bitch to jump (remove the seats, run the cables through the back side window because you couldn't get close enough with the door open etc, etc. etc.).

 

I think it will work fine, as long as the batteries have enough power for the starter in your car

 

i'd check i think i saw a compact battery being built for just that problem. i believe i saw it in a mag.
hope that helps

 

A replacement 1987 Honda Accord battery will work. Be sure to ask the parts guy for the small one (they had two that year). Plenty of cranking amps and will fit in your cab just fine.

 

i have two optimas and both were bought in the last couple of years and work just peachy.

 

I would say you'd be fine. You may even be able to get a motorcycle battery that is smaller. It all depends on your engine, your lights and what other accessories you plan to run. Just remember, if you even need to jump start or charge your battery, you're gonna have to get to it. Unless you make a remote post.

Oh, and I have had great luck with Optima red caps.

 

I started an ice racing car (Honda Si Civic) for 3 or 4 winters with one garden tractor battery. Never presented a problem even in the dead of winter after sitting for a week between racing events at sub freezing temps.

If you are not running a lot of accessories, you may be able to get away with one.

 

I would suggest you contact Interstate Batteries. http://www.interstatebatteries.com/...e-batteries}&gclid=CPLDlIOywaACFRJaiAodnwEjaA

I'm sure that the people there can help you find just the right set-up.

 

Also, if you decide to do this, make a sealed box with a vent tube that goes outside the vehicle. Kinda like they do with batteries in the trunk
Jim

 

Yup. The Honda has a tiny little starter. Like I said. It would depend on the engine. If the '39 is running a stock engine with tiny headlights and tail lights, it would probably work. Some motorcycles have bigger engines than that.

Is it 6v?

 

Thanks guys. I will look into the Honda Accord battery. I also had a guy in town tell me about the MG batteries. I am still skeptical on any Optima or specialty "small, compact, awesome only $200 battery." I have researched all of them and I don't want to spend a fortune having to replace it. I figured 2 lawn and garden batteries in parallel would be the cheapest, smallest and simplest solution, just wanted some other opinions.

I plan on putting remote jumper/charging terminals in.

 

It's 12 volt with a 302. some power accessories

 

I've seen 92-95 Civics with half size batteries on the firewall too. Might be worth a look.

 

I have used two lawn mower batteries in line and it worked killer and they r super small!

 

The Honda battery size is pretty small. It is a group 51 battery and it can be had with the posts oriented either way. The Mazda Miata also uses a small battery. If you have an O'Reilly's near you I can give you part numbers.

Honda- 51R-72
Same battery with the posts turned the other way-51-72
Mazda Miata-MIATA(that is the actual part number)

The bold print is the part number.

 

Two HD lawnmower batteries are 600 CCA . That will start it for sure. The narrow Honda battery suggestion is not bad either. infact i have on in my senior dragtser right beside the trans in fact. I think it would be atoss up nless youwant thetwo lawn mower batteries in seprate spots. (Which i am planning to do on this new FED i am building. )
Don

 

I've had nothing but problems with the newly made in Mexico optima's.

horrible customer service too.

 

Look at the batteries that are designed to go in mid 80 Audi 5000 cars. They go under the back seat in those cars and are low profile and have a built in vent tube to vent the fumes under the car through small hole in the floor. Good amp rating too. They also use the same battery in Mercedes.

This is off the O'Reilly site but it does give the measurements of the battery.

I think I bought a Die Hard at sears for under 80 bucks a few years ago.
Super Start - Battery

Part Number: 48-72J

• Premium (West)
• 770 CCA
• 960 CA
• 130 Reserve Capacity
• Battery Is Vented To Outside Of Vehicle
• UPC: 721112782386

Warranty Info

72 Month P/R Warr 2yr Free Replacement

Detailed Description

• Cold Cranking Amps: 700
• Cranking Amps: 875
• Reserve Capacity: 120
• Length: 11-3/8"
• Width: 6-7/8"
• Height: 7-1/2"

 

The Honda battery is only 6" wide and standard height and length (500 cold cranking AMPS). I cut down a battery tray from a 74 Chevy pickup truck to fit the 6" width, worked perfect. Good thing is, they are in stock at all auto parts stores and farm supply stores. I needed all the room I could get, my only option.

 

Why not get one of those long skinny 12 volt batteries like a 54 Buick and many farm tractors use and put it behind the seat, or under the floor? I believe they are about half as wide and two times longer then a normal 12 volt is.

 

I was running an original equipment HONDA battery out of a '96 CIVIC until recently (Sunday) when it finally gave up the ghost.
I just replaced it with another CIVIC size battery from Auto Zone $85±
It cranks the 262" SBC in my '40 GMC just fine, and fits between the frame rail and 350TH transmission right where GM put the battery box under the passenger floor.
That also puts it inches away from the starter so the cables are short.
Hell, the old battery when it had one dead cell and only had 10 volts would still start it. It's when it dropped to 8v it only started on a warm day so I called it quits on it.

What to remember is the battery only has to crank against one cylinder's compression at a time so one cylinder on my 4.3 Liter V8 is about the same size as one cylinder on the 1.6-2.4 Liter four-banger HONDA.
Ironically, 3.2 Liter '30's era FORD four-banger engine might not like that small battery, except the compression is way lower...

Hotrods don't have electrical accessories!

 

shoot those honda batteires are the size of mower batterties!

Whats this news about optimas being made in mexico now! then why the eff is the price goin up on em?

 

things to consider. If you are making a custom box for the battery make sure you can still get the battery in 5 years. check the size differences between any aftermarket battery for the same car.

does not matter how much lights or accessory's the car has. the only job of the battery is to start it the gen or alt take care of the rest

 

HEED THIS!
I originally made my box and the hole in the floor to fit a '84 era 9 1/2" by 5 1/2" Mustang battery but all the aftermarket batteries now have "universal" clamp down brackets at the bottom and brackets at the top for the otherwise nifty carrying handles and they are 10" by 6"!
They won't fit in the hole or clear the transmission any more!

 

Also check Mazda Miata battery. I used one in my 46. 600 amps and was small enough to mount under the dash behind the glove box.

 

how often do you think you will be removing your battery? i can say my daily is a 98' jeep and still has the factory battery in it because i bought it new with 255 miles on it! i also am building a 38' ford truck and figure inside the box in the front corner recessed partly into the floor will work great because mine won't be hauling anything. use a fully enclosed marine enclosure with a vent.this issue is like having a m/c under the floor and wondering how it can be serviced.

 

Another option you might want to look into are wheel chair batteries. A friend of mine has a son that has to use a motorized wheel chair. The batteries are gel, so you can place them in any position. They come in a variety of sizes and due to there original purpose they are extremely well constructed without the need for any ventilation. I've gotten them from Mel and they beat the heck out of the Optima batteries for dependability, power and longevity.