Batteries

[wrichards]

I was at the local truck parts dealer to get some new bwtteries. he has an exide 750cca that fits my truck, what kind of batteries have you had good luck with.

 

[Joe G.]

You want the gell wrapped cell type. The battery looks kind of like a six pack of beer. The most popular brand is Optima. Exide also makes this type of battery.

 

[illflem]

If you get a gel cell you will never have to deal with corrosion or maintenance again. I picked up 8 Champion gel cells on sale for $59 each a couple of years ago, two for my truck the others for tractors and various equipment. All have been trouble free. Optima brand has a better warranty but you pay for it. From now on I will only use gel cells, I'm not brand loyal, the cheapest will do. I maintain over 40 vehicles and pieces of equipment with batteries, can't wait for them to all go out so I can get gel cells.

 

[drives mopars]

gel

gel cells man

 

[LSMITH]

I just put in the Red Top Optima's. They work well, 7 cold starts over 3 days with temps at 15-20 degrees with no charge or drive time with the headlights on and blower on high, driving lights on, full heater grid cycle, everything was on LOL. Just moved it out of the drive and back in over the holidays. I turned on everything I could find to see if it would start. The last start was kinda slow, but they passed with flying colors. Go for the Optima's.

 

[Tim1]

Do not go for the Excides, we had 60 electric carts that were 36 volt systems, and we couldn't keep an Excide in for more than 6 mos. We changed to the Trojan Deep Cycle and had real good luck with them. I use this brand and have had no problems with it. Had they had a Optima with 1000 cranking amps at the time, I would have gone that route. Again, just my opinion! Tim

 

[wrichards]

gell cells

Can you explain to me the what a gell cell is (works) and how it is benefical.

 

[illflem]

Gell cell batteries were developed for applications where acid spill is prohibited. The electrolyte is in the form of a gell which is sealed inside the case. They are maintenance free, can accept high recharge rates and are less subject to damage if left in a discharged state. They can be deep cycled fewer times than a heavy duty wet cell battery. Read more here http://www.absak.com/tech/gell_cell.pdf you will need Acrobat

 

[wrichards]

Looks good to me, where are they commonly sold, I live in a sort of remote area not to many brand names like pep boys, autozone, we do have a NAPA relatively close anyone know which brand they have?

 

[JohnE]

wrichards;



Exide makes a gell battery, too. The other reason to go with gell is they withstand vibration much better than your common automotive battery.



I put in a new set of Exide's 3 weeks ago. Mine are 850 CCA. I got them from my local Detroit Diesel shop, <a href="http://www.istate.com" target="_blank">IDD</a>. I believe the gells are only rated at 650 or so CCA.



I work at an OEM. Our customers mostly specify on of the following brands: AC-Delco; Trojan, Interstate; and Dyno.



-john

 

[SlyBones]

Might try a search on batteries about 2-3 months ago. There was a good thread. There were 3 brands that were rated tops. Optima, Sears Die-Hards and one other.



I have Sears Die Hard Golds. 1/2 the price of the optimas, nice warranty, sears everywhere, 900cca, etc. Dont have a clue if they are gel cell.

 

[illflem]

wrichards, Napa carries Excide gells, Interstate the Optima and other auto parts the Champion. Interstate dealers are everywhere but many times are just a hole in the wall or another type of store, here in Montana many U-Haul dealers sell Interstate. Check the Yellow pages or their website.



Sly, you know if you have a gell because it looks like a 6-pack of cans, not square.

 

[LSMITH]

John, the Optima's I just put in are rated for 750 CCA, just like the OEM batteries were. The place where I bought them did not have anything bigger, but at least we know that they are available in factory ratings. I would have preferred 850 CCA or more too, but I am comfortable at 750 each.

 

[radixr]

Battery Replacement Caution

When you replace your batteries, check the overall height of the new ones and compare it to the stockers. The Optimas are not as high and when you run down the clamp bolts, the end of it can penetrate a wire bundle that is routed under the driver's side battery tray and cause some electrical problems. Don't ask me how I know that!

 

[supergas]

Any Interstate dealer can get red top gels. They sell the Optimas under the Interstate name, easier to warranty if required due to more dealers and the ones I bought in Abilene were $99 each from interstate where the Optimas dealers wanted $130

 

[LSMITH]

LOL@Radixr, good thing you heard that from a friend before you had troubles huh? That would have sucked if it had happened to you