Original Battery Size/Dimensions?

[supraholic]

What was the original battery size (dimensions, not amp ratings) installed in the Excel SE? This 1986 model came to me with a very old Optima battery installed and the battery cover just loose in the boot (appears that it won't quite fit with the Optima). I want to replace the battery in the Lotus and be able to properly install the battery cover. But I can't be sure what to purchase. I don't see anything but electrical performance specs in the Service Notes. None of our online parts catalogs over here list the Excel. I tried a couple of UK websites, but found listings for both Group 27 and Group 75 and I didn't find it discussed here. Here is the BCI size chart.

https://www.gglotus.org/ggtech/battery- ... i-size.htm

[Tanz]

Don't know the original size but mine is 18cm High, 24cm long and 17cm wide. Fits with a piece of wood to pack out the width but the cover fits.
Owners hand book just says 12volt 55 amp hr No dimensions

[Hawaiis0]

IIRC 075 was the normal size.

[supraholic]

Seems most of the BCI Group 75 batteries are side terminal only. My Excel is set up for top posts, but there's also been a battery cutoff switch added as well as the non-original Optima type battery. I don't know how it was originally set up. Were all Excels originally set up for side terminal batteries? Or top post batteries?

Playing around with some blocks of wood, I come up with a size of L 248, W 165 and H 190 that allows the battery cover to fit nicely and for the little twist latch to fit in the square hole on the battery hold-down bracket (I think its missing a little plastic insert if anyone knows what that's called so I can look it up and order a replacement). Group 75 is about the closest at L 230 W179 H196 .