What battery are you guys using? Optima is in!

[b5blue]

Well my battery is acting up so it's time for a new one. Just wondering what others are using and how they like them?    

[Lennard]

Optima Red top. I just bought a new one after my last one tapped out after 10 years.

[b5blue]

  With my upgrades, 120amp Denso Alt. and the "Fleet upgrade" running a parallel 8ga. I just pulled the trigger on one for myself. Good to hear you like yours. 
  Info reads it puts out more but also can handle being recharged faster, the Denso can put out 50-60 amps at idle.

[Lennard]

I don't know much about electrical stuff but any car battery that lasts 10 years is a great buy. I bought it in 2005 and it worked up until a month ago.  

[Charger4404spd]

Optima red top.

[A383Wing]

Interstate Group 27, just replaced the one in my black 66 that lasted 12 years

[rebby]

I just ordered a Red Top myself. The cheapie that I bought just to get the car up and running a few years back finally quit holding a decent voltage.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Excide 31 series industrial battery in the trunk.

[b5blue]

The one in there now got worked really hard and left sitting much longer then ever planned while I changed stuff around. My old battery charger died a few months ago, guess I worked it too hard also! 

[myk]

What's the deal with the Optima batteries?  More CA?  Lighter weight?  Longer life?

[Lennard]

What's the deal with the Optima batteries?  More CA?  Lighter weight?  Longer life?

For me, zero maintenance (cause it's a gel battery) and the fact that it lasts ten years in the extreme heat of the Mohave desert where most car batteries last about 2 to 3 years.

[rebby]

What's the deal with the Optima batteries?  More CA?  Lighter weight?  Longer life?

For me, zero maintenance (cause it's a gel battery) and the fact that it lasts ten years in the extreme heat of the Mohave desert where most car batteries last about 2 to 3 years.

Same here. They tend to fare very well over winter storage as well (with a maintainer).

[b5blue]

What's the deal with the Optima batteries?  More CA?  Lighter weight?  Longer life?

Check out the website and reviews on Amazon for a group 34

[comet_666]

Optima red top in trunk

[mopar0166]

optima is the best choice, well well worth the money

[b5blue]

Thanks for the feedback guys! 

[Charger_Fan]

I've heard on other forums were the Optima red top doesn't seem to be lasting as well as the same battery from about 5 years or older. Something about some cost cutting in the manufacturing process.
But I guess if you guys who are using them don't seem to be having issues, maybe it's not as big of an issue as I had been led to believe.

[69wannabe]

Group 27 super start extreme from o'reillys works fine for me.

[b5blue]

I've heard on other forums were the Optima red top doesn't seem to be lasting as well as the same battery from about 5 years or older. Something about some cost cutting in the manufacturing process.
But I guess if you guys who are using them don't seem to be having issues, maybe it's not as big of an issue as I had been led to believe.

  I see a separate switch on my battery charger for AGM type battery and extended warranty only available if purchased with Optima charger. I wonder if that's got anything to do with failures?

[will]

Group 27 Interstate, I get a discount locally.

[myk]

I've heard on other forums were the Optima red top doesn't seem to be lasting as well as the same battery from about 5 years or older. Something about some cost cutting in the manufacturing process.
But I guess if you guys who are using them don't seem to be having issues, maybe it's not as big of an issue as I had been led to believe.

Not to sound racist, but production of the battery is now in Mexico.  People are claiming the standards have dropped as a result...

[Charger_Fan]

I see a separate switch on my battery charger for AGM type battery and extended warranty only available if purchased with Optima charger. I wonder if that's got anything to do with failures?

I could see that as being part of the issue, sure. 

Not to sound racist, but production of the battery is now in Mexico.  People are claiming the standards have dropped as a result...

Good, it wasn't received as racist.  It was received as another quality product that is now being made in a country whose...ahh never mind, I don't wanna sound political.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Odyssey PC925

In its 9th year.  Noticed it was starting to crank a bit weak this season though....

[b5blue]

That battery came up on my search....at a much higher price point. The Optima looks like it's going to move the positive post a few inches in the direction I need to allow more cable to the mini starter as a side bonus for me, new correct cable came up a bit short for new starter.   

[b5blue]

Hey Wow the Optima came today... man with the new mini starter my 10 to 1 440 spins like mad! What a difference!  I like this result.

[Lennard]

 

[Charger_Fan]

Odyssey PC925

In its 9th year.  Noticed it was starting to crank a bit weak this season though....

Chris, that's a pretty neat setup! That outer battery "cover" looks completely legit, very cool.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

The battery was my old acid filled repro battery.   Took a lot of nasty work to get the acid, plates & plastic separators out.  well worth the effort though!

[Skull-1]

Optima Red Top is the way to go.   They're not as good as they were ten years ago, but still the best thing out there.

I had one last 8 or 9 years in one of my Buicks.

[myk]

$210?!  Damn that's pricey...

[rebby]

$210?!  Damn that's pricey...

I bought a 34R from Summit a few weeks back. It was $162 with free shipping. I went with the R to move the terminals a little closer to the fender.

[Skull-1]

$210?!  Damn that's pricey...

And worth every penny.


They used to be $119.  Thanks EPA!


You can get a coupon and order them cheaper from ADVANCE AUTO PARTS.

[Skull-1]

What's the deal with the Optima batteries?  More CA?  Lighter weight?  Longer life?

For me, zero maintenance (cause it's a gel battery) and the fact that it lasts ten years in the extreme heat of the Mohave desert where most car batteries last about 2 to 3 years.

I don't think it is even gel.  It is some kind of impregnated fabric/fiberglass.   If you bust one open they're like paper on the inside.

[Skull-1]

I've heard on other forums were the Optima red top doesn't seem to be lasting as well as the same battery from about 5 years or older. Something about some cost cutting in the manufacturing process.
But I guess if you guys who are using them don't seem to be having issues, maybe it's not as big of an issue as I had been led to believe.

They're not as good as they used to be, but they're better than any lead-acid battery I can think of.   And no corrosion.   That's important for our old machines.

[Skull-1]

Odyssey PC925

In its 9th year.  Noticed it was starting to crank a bit weak this season though....

Chris, that's a pretty neat setup! That outer battery "cover" looks completely legit, very cool.

I agree.  SWEET!   

[Lennard]

$210?!  Damn that's pricey...

I payed $150 for my Red top at a local battery shop.