And now, the rest of the story...
I found an automotive battery at Tractor Supply that would fit in my Class II Boomer Battery area. It's a Traveller Advantage, Model 51-60, cost
$34.98. It was a bit narrower and slightly longer, but fit fine. Tractor Supply had the J-bolts, cost
$2.75. Also had to buy 2 new bolts for the battery clamps, cost
$0.99, just to get one of the nuts to replace the brass nut that was on the positive clamp, since it was all but gone. The repacement nut was not brass, but I could not find a brass one. I put the original brass nut that was on the negative clamp on the positive clamp and the new, plain metal nut on the negative clamp. Also bought some Permatex Battery Protector and Sealer spray, cost
$3.59. I repainted the hold down bar as well as the entire tray area.
This morning, I put the new battery in, put two of those battery washers on the posts. Tightened everything up, sprayed the clamps and buttoned everything up again. I ordered a Battery Mat online, cost
$2.75 because I could not find one in a local auto store. When it arrives, I will install it.
Total Cost = $45.06
If this second battery also 'cheeses up', I will consider a
Hawker Odyssey Dry Cell Battery. It's kind of pricey at $85.95 plus $12.95 for SAE Automotive Terminals. No idea if it would work, since it's kind of low on CCA at 280 as compared to the battery I just installed at 435 CCA. But once again, it's the only one that will fit the Class II Boomer Battery area.
I was disappointed that Optima does not make a battery that would fit (I sent them an email and they confirmed they do not make a battery that small) and that the MK battery doesn't have standard automotive posts.
