Batteries

[Archive]

Hey guys,

I just wanted to add my . 02 on this, I was looking into the Optima batteries for the purpose of a solar power system, along with my truck. I did a lot of research and what not, I went to a battery specialty shop and spoke with one of the "battery experts" he told me that the yellow top deep cycle actually was a better starting battery than the red top along with having the features of being a deep cycle. He sold all types and makes of batteries and were lower priced than many so I don't just think it was a sales pitch. I am definitely going to immediately replace the stock batteries with the Optimas as soon


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Currently (Yes I know it is not a diesel!)1999 1500, QC SB, 4x2, 5. 9L White/Driftwodd/Mist interior, SLT, pretty much stock.

Can't wait to order - 2001 2500 QC, SB, 4x4 White/Driftwood/Agate Leather, SLT Plus, Cummins, and god only knows how many TDR member Invoked upgrades!

 

[Archive]

If I had known the yellow top was a better battery, I would have went with the yellow too. I thought it was a battery more geared towards cars with high output stereo systems that compete in sound contests with the engine not running. Optima calls there red top a "Starter" battery. Having a deep cycle battery with our Engine pre-heaters makes sense #ad


Scott, By relocating the batteries to the bed, I`ll bet a lot of members would not need the "leveling Kit"(taller front springs) to make the nose of the truck come up a bit. With 110lbs out of the engine compartment I`ll bet the front would come up a little.
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1994 Dodge Ram SLT Cummins 5 speed 4x4,3. 54 gears, Scotty Air System,PIAA Platnum Super Whites,Optima red top batteries, manual trans filter,Turbo&Exhaust blanket,Magnaguard rear diff cover,Edelbrock IAS shocks,muffler removed,Borgeson steering shaft,Trailmaster steering stabilizers,Rancho upper & lower links,Polyurethane sway bar bushings,Skyjacker 2" leveling springs(front),Fabritech Stage II Traction Bars,Denman Coyote A/P LT305/85R16(36" Tall) tires on Stock Dodge Chrome 16x6. 5 wheels,Bushwacker Street Flares,Back-off saftey brake light,Bugflector II bug shield, Royal Purple ,Amsoil& Red line lubes throughout.

1970 Plymouth Cuda (under construction)
1968 Hurst HEMI® Dart , Nah its just a screen name ;-)



[This message has been edited by 1968 Hurst HEMI Dart (edited 12-01-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

I got my redtops from an Interstate dealer. Not only was the price a bit better, the warranty is considerably better. It is 3 years straight across trade, and three years pro-rated after that.
And they don't corrode the terminals, either !

 

[Archive]

It's battery time for old 97, (3 1/2) years on originals. I've also considered moving my batteries out from under the hood, Why do they put a "maintanence free" battery there anyway? I'd like to mount mine together on the frame opposite the fuel tank for three reasons. 1. The cable run between batteries goes from 5' to 5" or so. 2. Takes 110 lbs off the nose on an already nose heavy truck, 3. Off sets the weight of a full fuel tank. I have put my truck on the scales, and is it 250 lbs heavier on the driver side, than it is on the pass side, with a full tank! I just need to find a suitable box, and if I use Optima batteries, do you have to worry about ventilation?... ... . DDG

 

[Archive]

Now I'm confused!!!
I've been ready to buy 2 Red Top Optimas when the time came...

Now I read that the Yellow are superior for our Trucks with the Deep Cycling...

Just give me the Facts...
In a 24V ISB. . In New England. . (We get REAL Winter here... boy... Florida sounds better every day!!). #ad

No Plug in overnight...

2x Red Tops = @ $250. 00 to $275. 00
2X Yellow Tops @ $350. 00 to $375. 00

Which way to go????

HemiDart... where did you get your Red Tops??
Long Radio sells them but want your first born for them. .
Where is the best price likely to be found around here??


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'98. 5 24V 2500 C. C. SLT, 4X4, Auto, SWB, Forest Gr. /Driftwood, Tow Pkg. , Smittybilt S. S. Nerf Bars, Factory Tow Hooks, K&N, Mag-Hytech transmission,PIAA 1200 Series Fog lights, PIAA Platinum Headlights, Dodge 3 Pc. Bug-Flector,Alpine CDA-855 Head,Alpine VA-100M Sub AMP,Alpine VA-407 4 Ch AMP, Polk Audio (2)6. 5" Components in the doors and (2) Polk 6. 5 Coaxials in back, MTX Dodge RAM Custom Sub Box W/ (2) 10" 5000 series Subs. . 7 7/8 coats of wax. . Yes Sir That's My Baby!!

 

[Archive]

Good news and bad news... ...

I talked my local NAPA store into carrying Optima batteries earlier this year. Recently, NAPA has come out with a similar technology (to the Red Top) and doesn't want the NAPA store to carry the Red Top Optimas anymore. He needs to get rid of his stock of Red Tops (he has two left) and offered them to me for $100 each. He also sells the yellow tops for $156 each.

Now the good news. Based on this thread, I'm going to buy the 2 Red Tops next week.

And the bad news... . I'm not gonna tell anybody where the NAPA store is until I get 'em.



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Mike B.
Masters Candidate in BOMBology

'98 RAM 2500 4x4 CC LWB Auto 12v 4. 10s Intense Blue, Sport, TST Power Kit, TCS Converter, TransGo
Diesel Shift Kit, M/T 16x8 Classics, BFG AT LT295/75R16, PIAA 90 Pro, ISSPRO Boost,Pyro,Trans Temp

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me a JRE Death Plate"

http://www.geocities.com/baja/cliffs/2182/dodge1.html

 

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Mike, the reason NAPA is closing out their inventory on Optima batteries is because Optima is producing a special battery just for NAPA. I saw the newly released NAPA (Optima) battery several months ago, it is black having dual TOP terminals (to cover almost every intended application) and GM style side terminals. It has the "trademark", six-pack style case of the Optima. I picked up a brochure on this battery when I first saw them, only I don't have the stats. in front of me right now.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (Black) SLT Sport, personalized license plate: BLCKOUT, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, 275 hp. injectors with Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, Glasstite Vision II "canopy", Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Mopar tow hooks, VDO Vision gauges, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights and Super White bulbs, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, and Banks 3. 5" dia. exhaust.
COMING ATTRACTIONS: Banks (ISB) Stinger 4" dia. stainless steel exhaust system!

SVP of BOMB! heh,heh,heh

 

[Archive]

I'm planning going the Optima route, and relocate them some place other than under the hood, when my stockers get tired.

There appears to be a good place on the outside of the frame on the passenger side, right at the front of the bed. I think there's room to stack 2 batteries on their side and fit them OK with the proper bracketry or box. There are plenty of holes in the frame there so boltup should be a snap. Also running the heavy positive lead to the starter should be a piece of cake. I don't know how heavy of gauge is available, but seems like there is heavier stuff than 0, like 00 and 000.

A project like this and a leveling kit would definitely take some weight off the front end!

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Vaughn MacKenzie

1998 3/4T Quad Cab 4x4, 24-valve, 5-speed w/open 3. 54, White over Driftwood, Fog Lamps, Air Dam, Agate leather with most options.
245/75/16 Kelley Safari MSRs on M/T Classics, DeeZee running boards, diamond tread bedrail & tailgate protector.
Delvac 1 5W40 Synthetic Oil.
52,975 miles (12/11/99) 16-17 City & 18-20 Highway MPG

 

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Vaughn, check out Wrangler Northwest Power Products ( http://www.wranglernw.com ). They have everything you need for a battery relocation project: terminals, cable, etc.
Andy

 

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Hey -- you guys jinxed me with all this battery talk. Mine gave up the ghost in this sub-zero weather we've been having in Iowa. Thanks ALOT! #ad


Got two new Optima Redtops at the local Batteries Plus store. They had the lowest price locally and they are nation wide. They list for 129. 95, but they also give a $5 discount/battery for new customers.

You can visit their website to see if they are in your location at:
http://www.batteriesplus.com/

And/or Optima has a dealer locator on their site.



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Rob Spading
TDR Webmaster
1996 3500 Club Cab, 4X4, Black, Loaded, Rickson 19. 5" Wheels, Mag-Hytec Rear and Trans covers, TST 230/605 kit, Westach Gauges, Velvet Rides, -- Coming soon... . Jannetty 4" Exhaust, BD Valve Body, TC, Exhaust BRake and Torqloc Computer.

 

[Archive]

Glad to be of help with your batteries #ad


And thanks for the URL. There is a store almost withing walking distance from where I am!

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,Torque plate,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver



[This message has been edited by Joe G. (edited 12-22-1999). ]