How do you install the battery strap?

[spikeygg]

I'm a total noob with this and I feel a little silly asking this question but I want to secure the battery and I can't figure out the proper way to thread the two straps through the stock latch so that the battery is secure.

Does anyone have a set of pictures or video showing the procedure?

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[Rich]

No apology necessary - the battery strap routing isn't obvious.

One place to see the details is HERE (http://dmcnews.com/Techsection/batterystrap.html).

[spikeygg]

No apology necessary - the battery strap routing isn't obvious.

One place to see the details is HERE (http://dmcnews.com/Techsection/batterystrap.html).

Cool thanks. Dang, it looks like I'm missing the hook part. Anyone know where I can get that piece? Maybe I'll recruite a metal working friend to create that piece...

[DMC-81]

Cool thanks. Dang, it looks like I'm missing the hook part. Anyone know where I can get that piece? Maybe I'll recruite a metal working friend to create that piece...

Hi there,

I had the exact same problem. I posted a want ad and a fellow member came through. It is NLA so you have to get a used one if you want the original. Here is what it looks like if you want your friend to make one..

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Cheers,

[DMC-81]

No apology necessary - the battery strap routing isn't obvious.

One place to see the details is HERE (http://dmcnews.com/Techsection/batterystrap.html).

Rich, can you post this information again? The link does not work anymore.

[FABombjoy]

https://web.archive.org/web/20210309181847/https://www.dmcnews.com/Techsection/batterystrap.html

[jackb]

I never had the OE battery strap, so I made my own easy solution:

I took a regular M16 sling (an extra surplus issue type) which is just a piece of webbing with two strap adjuster sliders. I looped the webbing through the slider, the rear mount, and back into the slider to lock it in place. Then the same for the front. If I need to remove the battery I just loosen the forward strap adjuster slider and create enough slack to pull the webbing aside and access the battery.

I had an extra sling on hand so my cost was zero, but its just 1? webbing and two sliders which are not expensive at all (<$10 on ebay).

[DMC-81]

Thank you. After an almost 10 year service life, my Interstate battery died, so I needed a reminder on how to attach the original battery strap. I tucked the extra strap around the clamp.

https://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=69654&d=1684004765

This time I chose an AGM battery. As a bonus, it was gray and black.

[82DMC12]

In case anyone is curious, I bought the DPI battery strap kit. My old strap was so destroyed from battery acid/fumes that it was not repairable, plus I was missing one of the ends.

DPI kit is great - it has a spring-loaded latch on it, beefy straps, and heavy duty stainless mounts that go into the body. Supplies with stainless hardware.

69655

[DMC-Ron]

Thank you. After an almost 10 year service life, my Interstate battery died, so I needed a reminder on how to attach the original battery strap. I tucked the extra strap around the clamp.
This time I chose an AGM battery. As a bonus, it was gray and black.

What AGM manufacture and model did you choose? I also have an old Interstate battery that's still working at 7 years but thinking about AGM.
Ron

[David T]

What AGM manufacture and model did you choose? I also have an old Interstate battery that's still working at 7 years but thinking about AGM.
Ron

The alternator is not designed for AGM type batteries. The charging profile is not proper and will kill an AGM battery prematurely. If you consider the added expense of an AGM there are no benefits to using one. A good, nationally branded lead-acid battery will easily last 5-7 years depending on how you take care of it. Interstate is a good brand. Never let a battery go completely dead. Never let it freeze. Keep it charged when not in use. Use a Battery Tender (or other smart trickle charger) for 1 day a month if you aren't actively using the car.

[DMC-81]

What AGM manufacture and model did you choose? I also have an old Interstate battery that's still working at 7 years but thinking about AGM.
Ron

I chose Champion AGM Battery, Group Size 78

69656

[DMC-81]

The alternator is not designed for AGM type batteries. The charging profile is not proper and will kill an AGM battery prematurely. If you consider the added expense of an AGM there are no benefits to using one.

The research I did disagrees with this statement. An AGM battery is a drop in replacement for a non-AGM battery. However, you can't use a non-AGM battery in a car designed for an AGM battery.

[David T]

The research I did disagrees with this statement. An AGM battery is a drop in replacement for a non-AGM battery. However, you can't use a non-AGM battery in a car designed for an AGM battery.

Based on anecdotal stories and personal experience, the AGM type batteries like Optima do not seem to last. Not just in Deloreans either. They are not worth the additional expense. It is like the iridium or platinum spark plugs. For the premium cost they provide no benefits and in most cases fail prematurely. Same goes for the "better" ignition coils, K & N filters, and DOT 5 silicone brake fluid. Trying to put the latest technology into an old car doesn't always work. Don't let me discourage you but this is my experience.

[DMC-81]

Based on anecdotal stories and personal experience, the AGM type batteries like Optima do not seem to last. Not just in Deloreans either. They are not worth the additional expense. It is like the iridium or platinum spark plugs. For the premium cost they provide no benefits and in most cases fail prematurely. Same goes for the "better" ignition coils, K & N filters, and DOT 5 silicone brake fluid. Trying to put the latest technology into an old car doesn't always work. Don't let me discourage you but this is my experience.

David, this Champion battery was the same price as for example, a Gold, Die Hard flooded lead acid battery. Better Cranking Amps, and same 4 year warranty. It is made by Clarios, who also make Optima. Yes, there were batteries sold at a lower quality and price tier.

For me; here was a key advantage of AGM:
"AGM batteries are maintenance-free and can be placed in more enclosed areas as there?s no off-gassing except for the occasional venting. It?s required for use in vehicles with batteries in trunks and under seats or in locations where maintenance can be hard to do."

Source: https://batteryworldonline.com/pages/agm-or-lead-acid-batteries-what-to-know

Regardless, a battery is a wear item. They all have to be replaced. In Florida, it is 4 to 5 years.

As for K&N air filters, I have them in all my cars. The fact that you only have to buy one is a key advantage when you keep your cars for a long time. Maintenance at 50K miles is a breeze. They work for me.

Back on topic, I was relieved to figure out the DeLorean battery strap again. 8)

[todd1561]

That old broken link to the dmcnews.com site about the battery strap routing was an excerpt from my own site from ages ago. Here?s an active link to the page in case it helps anyone else down the road. https://1561project.com/?page=batt-strap