Batteries-What brand?

[tschwab]

Its time for a new set of batteries, just curious as to what brand you have purchased and how they have held up. I believe the spec on mine are for 750 CCA and there are not many choices with that CCA, many more choices in the 650-700 CCA range. Thanks

 

[Lurch]

Optima or the Interstate equivalent seem to be the most popular. Do a search. Haven't had to yet myself.



Lurch

 

[barryg41]

In a pinch, I went with CarQuest batteries. I shut down the truck to fill up. Went to start it back up and no go. They had the batteries in stock. :--) Couldn't believe it.



But if I had to do it again with a choice... . Red Top Optima's !!!



Just waiting for the CQ's to wear out.

 

[Glen Pratt]

I had my batteries crap out last Sept. down in Virginia. Went to Pep Boys to get a set of Red Optimas, but they didn't have them in stock. Ended up getting a set of Energizer 84 month batteries. They were only $80. 00 each. Very pleased so far. -Glen

 

[Power Wagon]

I have become a huge fan of Optimas. Interstate sells them under thier own name, as well. Work wonderful, got power like nothing else, and don't corrode the terminals...

 

[John]

Terry, I replaced my OE batteries with a pair Optima Yellow Tops a year and a half ago (I wanted to keep what was left of the OE batteries for one of our 12v+ fence chargers).



They have worked very well so far!



... and I haven't been able to use my block heater for the last month and a half or so

 

[Bad340fish]

So how well do they fit in the hold downs?? Any mods needed to hold the smaller case size of the Optima. I know my 99 is going to need them soon just haven't talked myself into dropping the cash yet. I work for Interstate and My cost still isn't cheap at all on them .



PS You won't see anymore of the interstate Label optimas, JCI(who makes interstate and others) bought Optima out in May I believe. They are now shipped to us with the standard Optima Label. Just an FYI

 

[illflem]

Clark, the red tops fit with no mods at all. Gel cells are the only battery I'll use from now on if only for their no corrosion properties. I have 50+ pieces of equipment with batteries to maintain and dealing with corrosion seems to be the major maintenance and cause of no starts.

 

[K_Arts]

You know... I find it kinda funny to hear about the battery problems that people are having lately.



Within the last couple of weeks both of my trucks have been having battery problems... and I just got ran into GTX here on the TDR and he said that he was getting ready to go battery shopping also. It seems like the really cold weather here in the midwest is really causing havoc on batteries.



Personally, I am going to try and hold off till summer, but I am going to be putting Optima's in my trucks...



Kev

 

[sloanxx]

Now here is the rub with the Optimas. I have them in my off road vehicles and the FJ40 was recently in the shop for 3 months getting a new roll cage. Now if it sits for 4-5 days without being started it is deader than a doornail.

 

[yogibear]

Anyone know anything about ODYSSEY Drycell batteries? I was told that one of the PC-1700 will replace both of our batts. 930 CCA, 1175A at 32*F. Pretty pricey, 275 clams for one, but if it will replace 2, may be worth it. 3 yr. replacement. What ya'all thinK?

Larry

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by K_Arts

You know... I find it kinda funny to hear about the battery problems that people are having lately.

Battery failures always seem to come with cold weather due to the increased demand on them with the grid heaters and longer cranking. Not to mention that they don't put out as much amps in cold weather. I've replaced six batteries in the last month on work vehicles and equipment, all with Optima redtops. Can usually go all summer without replacing even one.

 

[yogibear]

TTT, want to know if anyone is familiar with the ODYSSEY bats. ?

 

[Skydiver]

I use the best that Autozone (don't tell anyone)makes. About $70. Mainly for the 3-year free replacement and about a million months prorated.

I wish I could afford Red-tops.

Remember when buying batteries you only get what you pay for.

Tim

 

[weatherbyman]

Optimas

If you are looking for a higher CCA rating, take a look at the Blue Top Marine Starting Optima. Have one in my boat..... awesome. Otherwise, Optima all the way.

 

[K_Arts]

Originally posted by sloan

Now here is the rub with the Optimas. I have them in my off road vehicles and the FJ40 was recently in the shop for 3 months getting a new roll cage. Now if it sits for 4-5 days without being started it is deader than a doornail.

Very interesting... honestly I've never heard that before. I was always told that Optimas hold their charge pretty well... hmmmm if this is true it really makes me think twice about putting Optimas in my trucks. Has anyone else had issues like this with the Optimas?



Kev

 

[Bad340fish]

Sounds to me like he has either a bad battery or a drain on the system. They sometimes sit in our warehouse for 3 months and never have a problem. I had a blue top in my car for about 4 years, the car sat for 7 months with no motor in it. I put the new motor in never charged the battery and it fired right up. A normal lead acid battery would have been dead most likely.



Don't let the blue tops trick you on the CCA, they are rated as marine cranking amps or MCA which is tested at 80* as opposed to 0* like the CCA on the red top.



I can only speak for interstates on this but the CCA rating on there batteries is done at 0*, the CA rating is at 32*, other companies are different I don't know which ones. And as I said earlier if you see MCA its at 80*



The reds have the most warranty by far, the blues and yellows have less warranty and I see more failures from them even though I sell more reds. I will not put anything but reds in my vehicles now . The red is also the cheapest of the bunch. An 18 month old yellow top would prorate at over $100 for example, and a red top would be free until it was 24 months old.



And as far as CCA goes come on guys. . we have two batteries. If you go with the factory 750CCA that is 1500CCA to start our 359 CID diesel. The truck I drive at work has a 466 I6 in it and only requires two 660CCA batteries.



The 750 rating on the reds is conservative to say the least. I personaly have pegged out our load tester(1600CCA) on a red top and it stayed over 10volts. Not to say they are all like that but this one was one that came in under warranty that we charged back up and retested.



Geeez thats a long post for me lol Sorry



Clark

 

[Will24]

I have a yellow top in my daily driver and it does the same thing, I am replacing it with another lead acid soon, it used to start a lot happier in the winter with the lead acid, I am not real happy overall with the optima



-Will

Originally posted by K_Arts





Very interesting... honestly I've never heard that before. I was always told that Optimas hold their charge pretty well... hmmmm if this is true it really makes me think twice about putting Optimas in my trucks. Has anyone else had issues like this with the Optimas?



Kev

 

[CJ Johansson]

Originally posted by Bad340fish

And as far as CCA goes come on guys. . we have two batteries. If you go with the factory 750CCA that is 1500CCA to start our 359 CID diesel. The truck I drive at work has a 466 I6 in it and only requires two 660CCA batteries.

Clark

Well, OK, but my tractor, with it's huge 360 CID diesel has two 970 CCA batteries, and it doesn't have and glow plugs or grid heaters to help drain the batteries (it does have ether injection to use as a last resort if it just won't go).



With my truck, there are days, when it's *REALLY* cold when I'm not sure it's got enough juice to crank over. I'm considering putting a pair of bigger batteries mounted under my flat bed. This will give me more cranking power, shift more weight off the front, and give me some extra room under the hood.



I really like the optimas, but do they come in a larger size? I suppose I could just mount 3, or 4 back there...



-cj

 

[GTX]

I am looking at these from summit. They are 1,100 CCA and small. The battery in my race car is dead and I need a small one to fit in the mount, I will probably get one for it. Got to thinking these may work in the truck to. Might be able to put both on the same battery tray, have not measured yet to see. Pro Volt has a 2 year warranty but replacement may take some time.



Below is from the summitracing site







$119. 95





Overview

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Length 7. 79 in.

Width 6. 54 in.

Height 6. 73 in.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Small design, big starting power.



1,100 cold cranking amps, battery



This Pro Volt battery utilizes a large plate surface area to deliver whopping 1,100 cold cranking amps. The secrets in the battery's thin plate design, which allows for greater plate surface area. This larger surface area gives the Pro Volt an extremely high starting capacity even though it's 30-60 percent smaller and lighter (just 33 pounds) than conventional batteries. Plus, the thin plate design allows the battery to withstand extreme temperatures (-40 degrees F to +140 degrees F) and shock. Other features include low internal resistance for fast recharge, a dry cell design, all position mounting, and maintenance-free brass terminals.



Pro Volt has a 2 year warranty from date of purchase against manufacturer's defects or flaws.