'91.5 Battery Suggestion

[RobbieH]

Looks like the battery is toast on the 91. 5 "project". This thing has only one battery, and since it's not the stocker I'm not absolutely sure the previous owner even put back the right thing. What do you guys suggest as far as batteries for these? Want to make sure whatever gets put into it remains trouble free for as long as possible.

 

[tugboatphil]

I've been pretty happy with a Dekka 1100 from NAPA.

 

[brkoyle]

I will second the Deka from Napa. I put one in three years ago, and still going strong.

 

[bgilbert]

Wow I can't believe it, two Deka supporters. . Since we only have one battery, just get the biggest thing you can put in there. Which what I have found to be a Deka group 31 1260cca at 32, 1175 at 0*f. pn 1231pmf Cost me $72 from Deka distributer. I'll just about give you one of my Deka's if you can find a group 31 rated that high for that price new. Bill

 

[RobbieH]

Doesn't look like Deka batteries are real popular here. Nearest store I can find is Little Rock, Arkansas, and I'm in Dallas, TX.



I suppose at this point I'll run up to Napa and maybe another store or two to see what I can find.



Group 31 is good to know though, as it will help me find the right size.

 

[bgilbert]

I just went to Deka's website, boy you're not kidding about Little Rock Arkansas being the closest dealer. You can try a big rig or farm implement dealer for a group 31, Napa probly gonna look at ya crazy. CCA is important but group size is much more important. I always find it a shame when I look under a 1st gens hood and see a 'lawnmover' battery under there. I say come here, let me show you a real battery. Wish I knew if Deka made batteries for someone else and put a different name on it. From what I've heard over the past couple years on here, you're gonna pay near $100 for a group 31 other than Deka. But it looks like you have no choice. Good luck. Bill

 

[RobbieH]

Interstate batteries are real popular here. I found something similar there.



http://www.ibsa.com/estore/view_pro...mscssid=4A1QBGW64CBB9PPDTM5R6NKB18L75PE6&js=1



I think I have a hookup for Interstate too.

 

[NYChris]

I put a group 31 from Trojan in my '93 a year ago and am happy with it. I think it's rated at 1220/1000 cca. Had never heard of Trojan before I stopped at the local big rig shop. Paid $78 for it.

 

[bgilbert]

Robbie, forgot to mention, the minimum recommended battery capacity is 1025cca. Think that link showed 950.

 

[RobbieH]

Well, not only that but someone just informed me (someone I trust) that Interstate Batteries have gone way down in quality as of late. Going to have to keep shopping.

 

[NYChris]

The shop I got my battery from sold both Interstate and Trojan with Interstate being about $30 more for a comparable product. The sales guy said they have had less trouble with the Trojan brand and it's now their number one seller. I couldn't argue.

 

[RobbieH]

Gawd that's funny... Trojan Brand...



Unfortunately no dealers listed within 100 miles of me.

 

[1stgen4evr]

Since we only have one battery, just get the biggest thing you can put in there.

I second Bgilberts suggestion. I use that method on everything I own. I have very little starter and alternator trouble. The huge capacity just doesn't get so low as to put a hard load on the electrical gear.



James

 

[tugboatphil]

I thought you could get Trojans on the wall at most service stations!



C'mon, someone had to say it!

 

[JLEONARD]

I have an Optima Red Top and I am very happy with it. It has plenty of cranking power.

Of course, a Trojan battery might be safer... .....

But if you keep the (battery) box clean you will be ok with another brand.

Jay

Promoting safe volts

 

[GerryDrake]

Batteries

When I replaced the batteries in my previous ride (PS) I did a fair amount of research (including Consumer's Reports) and shopping, and found that the Kirkland brand at Costco was rated to be on a par with the Sears Die-Hard Gold, and was considerably cheaper. That was about 3 years ago, and they were under $50. As I recall they were 1000 or 1050 rated.



If you have Costco available, check it out (or on line ?). As I recall, they had the same price on most all batteries, so the 'big' ones didn't cost more. What a deal!



Kirkland is Costco's 'store brand' and several people I know that work there say their policy is they want the best product available under that name...

 

[Buffalo]

I, also, am using Optima's in my 91. 5. I live in the desert (Phoenix, AZ. ) and the extreme heat is very hard on "water" batteries. I used to get 2 years or less out of them. I tried an Optima and got 4 years out of it. The Optima's, also, seem to "fade out" instead of just "dying, all of a sudden". When they start to fade I go to Costco and for $99. 00 I get a new one, put it in the back of the truck and when the old battery dies, I have a new one right there. Hope this helps. Joe.

 

[JKurley]

My old one that was in it died in North Dakota this winter. Called the local NAPA, and they delivered a group 31 for $73. Group 31 IS the factory recommended batt.