Optima D51 in a 4100? Anybody do it yet?

Cdash · Sep 20, 2004

My battery went kaput yesterday. It's amazing how it works great, then all of a sudden does not.....

Anyway, was considering the Optima D51 (not the R as far as I can tell, for my 4100).

Just wanted to check to see if anyone has done it and if the fit was spot on. I appreciate any experiences.

Craig

bigpete · Sep 20, 2004

I put a D51 in my 4110. No problems. I recall member "Ducatti" put one in a 4100. You could search for his posts. As you know, the R simply desinates the orientation of the posts. Here's a link to the schematic for the D51 D51 post orientation and battery dimensions

ducati996 · Sep 20, 2004

My memory is not as sharp, and i did post somewhere in this forum on my personal results with the optima 51 yellow top and a 4100 series CUT....Its works great and fits perfect.
When I installed mine, there was only a group 51 yellow top.
I have no markings on it for a "R" or "D"...I think you will be in good shape just looking around for a yellow 51 at either (Pep Boys or Auto zone)....Costco even has them on occasion
or of course the Internet....piece of mind no doubt, cant put a price tag on that i guess..no worries of acid leakage

http://www.jci.com/CorpPR/Releases/battery/release626.asp

Duc

keeney · Sep 20, 2004

I put a cheap Walmart battery in mine. I think their cross-reference book had tractors listed in it and had the 4100, or maybe I measured the OEM battery and went by dimensions, I forget.

I also seem to remember that the R vs. Not R didn't matter - the cables are top-post and you can flip the battery either way. The only issue I had is that the Walmart Everstart logo is clearly visible through the front grill - kind of ugly. If I had gone with the other orientation battery, the back-side of the battery would face forward and the blank black battery would not be nearly as ugly.

- Rick

Cdash · Sep 29, 2004

The R vs not for the Walmart battery DOES matter. From all the reading I had R in my head and just bought a 51R from Walmart. While the cables do reach the posts, the cable/posts are high enough that it inteferes with the grill. I couldn't get it secured. The moldings for the lights hit the battery connections and prevented the grill from seating in the lower holding points.

Will be going back to Walmart to exchange for a non-R 51.

rockyridgefarm · Sep 29, 2004

I put the Optima in my 4310.

I can't imagine putting a WalMart battery in there...

The Optima was $100. Even if my dealer would fix damage caused by battery spew under warranty, it still was worth the $100 for the Optima compared to transporting the tractor. If the battery spews, you stand to lose two radiators, and a bunch of front frame stuff.
/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

OK, I feel better, I will stop nagging now...
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JerryT · Sep 30, 2004

I had a lot of trouble with my original JD battery. After cleaning up the first corrosion mess and adding a lot of anti-corrosion gizmos and sprays, things were manageable. Had to frquently ad distilled water which I thought was unusal. Finally it died and after considering the Optima I decided to look at TSC where I found an eaxct fit replacement for around $40.00. I've had it now for about 9 months, no signs of any corrosion at all and all though I check it frequently, have not had to ad any water. So far, I'm impressed.

rockyridgefarm · Sep 30, 2004

I hope it works well for you!

( ...no signs of any corrosion at all and all though I check it frequently... )

That described my situation perfectly. It wasn't until I removed my Strongbox battery that I discovered damage beneath and behind it that I couldn't detect with the battery in place.

keeney · Sep 30, 2004

The R vs not for the Walmart battery DOES matter. 

Sorry about that. I didn't actually try both batteries - I just remember wishing the logo didn't show.

My thoery on batteries for all my vehicles and equipment (about 10 batteries in total), especially the seasonal stuff, is to buy the cheapest possible. Its too easy to have a discharged battery sulphate on you when it sits in storage. I'd rather replace a $39 battery every 3 years than accidentally destroy a $100 battery when I forget to charge it, even if it theoretically could last 7 years.

- Rick

thebigc · Oct 2, 2004

I put an Optima 51 yellow top in my 4100 in May and now 50 hours later, I'm still corrosion free. And yes there was a fair amount of corrosion to clean up that you just couldn't see without removing the original JD battery.

Easily $100.00 well spent.