just had a optima Red battery put in, do you need the wrap from the factory battery on it??? I had the tech throw it in the trunk, Is it a heat sheld blanket on the factory one? should I try to put it on the New Optima Red when it warms up here in NJ (was took cold for me to do the battery myself outdoors). If I did it I would have put that wrap on it, do you need it on ?

Or does it not matter??

Thanks for any replys please.... BTW the Optima Red SC 35A battery goes in with no problems, not even taking out the spacers, it goes in just like the one from the factory. (except for that wrap ?). Most dealers will not carry the 35A, and take out the spacers to use one they have in stock, I waited a extra day to get the right size for me. (fit right into 2007 GT/CS which was built in July of 2006.

Please any thoughts on that wrap? Will it fit the Optima Red? Do you need it?
I'm guessing it acts for heat protection??

 

IMO, it's not needed.

 

Tossed it a year after owning the car. If heat was that big an issue for the battery being that distance away from the engine, a) the plastic base used would be the first to go, b) many other vehicles would have roasted batteries.

I go through batteries like a fat kid through a bucket of chicken. Having around the 560-580 mark wattage wise added on without rebuilding/replacing the stock alternator tends to do that. One of these days I´ll get around to it.

 

This blanket is intended not only to keep your battery warm on cold nights, but also to keep the battery cool on hot days. Modern cars restrict the amount of air flowing through the engine compartment to improve both aerodynamic efficiency and economy. New engine compartments are pretty crowded. The elevated temperatures are enough to boil the electrolyte right out of the battery, hence, the simple insulator.

Believe me, car manufacturers will not use the battery blanket if it wasn't needed to $ave money... Now, I don't know if this applies to optima batteries as they are not your normal electrolyte type battery.

 

I ditched my wrap when I put my red-top in. Never had a problem.

 

I have a yellow top optima and the wrap fits fine.

 

Heat is more damaging to the battery than cold is. The "blanket" is to insulate the
battery from engine heat. The temperature of the battery with the insulator, should be
about 15-20F lower than running without. You can test easily it with an infrared heat gun.

Run without it, stop, open the hood, test with the IR Gun.

Run with it on, open hood, remove insulation, test with IR Gun; you will see that the battery
temperature is lower with it on.

Its there for a reason, else FORD wouldn't have spent money on the part.