batteries

[RADdodge]

We went with the Optima Yellow tops. BTW, the Yellow and Blue tops are the same spec except for the terminal lug type. The Blue is made for boats and campers that need the screw on lugs. Anyway, we went with the Yellow Tops because of all the accessories, the alarms and the fact that it sits about 6 days out of 7 until we go on the road. FYI, once when it had sat for awhile (and hadn’t been driven much besides) it wouldn’t start. Batteries ran down. The work around was to disconnect the manifold heater relays. Started right up (it was in the 60’s at the time so they weren’t really necessary). You might want to locate the relays just below and ahead of the left battery mounted on the steel cowling just incase you ever encounter a low battery situation. That heater takes a lot of juice!

 

[emarsh]

Just put a pair of red tops in the 02 this morning. Finally our local costco got them and we did not hesitate. The truck is only 6 months old, but the battery's were starting to vent acid and I am glad that other tdr members have used them successfully. As for the cost, at $99 they are a deal, it always tickles me when members of this forum spend $30-40k on their truck and then brag how they save a few bucks here or there and then try to convince everyone that they are comparing apples to apples in their purchase. Cut loose with a little cash, let's get this damn economy going!

 

[LBTRS]

emarsh,



For some of us... . spending $30-$40k is the reason we need to watch what we're spending now. At least that's what my wife says (and not that I'm listening to her). I do appreciate you giving me another line to use on her for my next BOMB. "I'm stimulating the economy, it's my patriotic duty"



Also, where is the "local costco"? I hear everyone saying they get them at costco but the one here doesn't have them. I sure wish they did as I'd like to help the economy a little more.



Thanks.

 

[HillCountrykid]

As some have mentioned, I want Optimas because they don't leak acid all over my $30k truck. The cost of repairing this and the trouble of fixing it outwieghts the cost of the batteries every few years. Besides, they look cool. Since I'm already posting and don't want to look through 10 pages of posts with a search, what number Optima do these trucks use?



Brian

 

[DarrellB]

It's not the money

I just don't think those batteries are necessary for my needs.



When Interstate starts to make an Optima that will fit my 2 quads then I will buy a couple. That is something that needs a bat that wont leak when abused. The bats in my truck don't get jostled around that much and I hope the never get turn upside down, because if they do something is seriously wrong.



I don't think any body is trying to force anyone to buy a regular bat or an optima. Just relax a little, at let them decide for them selfs.



Darrell

 

[Dave MacArthur]

Cool. This is gettin as good as an oil/transmission thread . Actually, the price has absolutely nothing to do with my choice. I want my truck to start every time! The Diehard Gold's are almost as expensive as the Optima's. I would love to go with a sealed battery. Does anyone have any serious data (magazine article etc) they can site? I'm really just concerned about real, usable CCA's and Reserve capacity. Another question, is there any reason not to go with the Yellow Tops or the Blue Tops? Once again, I don't care about the price.



Thanks,



Dave

 

[HillCountrykid]

I'm not arguing or trying to force my ideas on anyone. I just think that it would be great to have a battery that does'nt leak acid everywhere. I don't treat my batteries very hard (rock crawling or serious off-roading) but they have always leaked on me. Maybe the heat down here.



Brian

 

[DarrellB]

Sorry if my post gave the wrong message



Like I said I just don't need a bat like that but if you live in an area that gets pretty hot you might want to get them if you've had leaking problems before. (that would be a good idea)



Or if you do serious offroading in your Dodge then you might want them as well. (that would be a good idea also)



I just don't do anything that ruff to justify buying Optima's for my truck.



I'm done now, I don't want to see this turn into a transmission or oil thread :-{} :-{}



Later

Darrell

 

[HillCountrykid]

Don't worry, I'll just punch you in the eye and call you a moron if you don't buy Optimas. JK I don't get all excited like a lot of people. It's just a truck.



Brian

 

[DarrellB]

That's fine, but

I'm draggin your moma into it after I call you a dumb #@^ for buying such an expensive battery.



Darrell

 

[illflem]

Dave, Badfish a member here who works for Interstate reported many more warranty returns with the Yellow Tops vs. the Red. I personally don't feel we need a deep cycle in our application. With a pair of Red Tops I've started my truck at minus 20, no block heater. Had plenty of juice to cycle the grid heaters three times and crank for quite awhile till it finally caught.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

I think of the optimas as another bomb. I even bought those completely useless but very expensive gold terminals. More or less alot of this stuff is just for looks. As for performance yellow tops are the bar to which I measure all other batteries. I live where it is cold and let me tell you. Where all others have failed the yellow tops have excelled. I needed the amps for obvious reasons. I also have used one for winching with a dead alternator(I think we should call it a directinator cuz it makes dc not ac). I can run my high power stereo for hours on just one of these babies. I used to do it all the time in my bonfire kegger days. After pulling in excess of 100 amps for 2 and a half hours better make sure you brought cables. Havent tried it with two to see how long I can run but Im also up past 160 amps now. I eat 80 amp fuses for breakfast on my dual 4gauge power supply. Speaking of which I just got a new great bomb. BATCAP. holly batcap robin. What an improvement. For all you audiophiles hitting with some bass. try one for yourself they are too fantastic to believe. I went from obnoxious eye crossing bass to I think my bowels just released bass in a 20 min install.

 

[RADdodge]

Bigger Optimas Needed

I like the idea of the Optima batteries, but one thing that bothers me is the one size fits all. There is about 4" (times 2) of battery space the Optima’s are not using in out trucks. You would think the engineers could make an even higher capacity battery by using oval spirals instead of round ones to increase the physical size of the battery. There is a FAQ on their website that answers some of the questions raised here such as when to use a "Red Top" vs. a "Yellow Top" battery.



http://www.optimabatteries.com/faq.asp

 

[WadePatton]

Recons

I get excellent service out of "recon" batteries.



Most of these are batteries that went out of date on the shelf. They pull them, send them back-peel the labels off, test, and resell them.



I had a friend in that business and I've been to the plant with him. Anyway they work just fine for a daily driver. I wouldn't use them on a weekender. I've been happy with them for over 10 years.



And they're about $25 a pop!!!



One of my OEM's dropped a cell the other day. And I had to buy a new parts house battery to get out of the woods in a timely fashion. When I get a pair of recons, the "new" one is coming out.



ps I did get ONE bad recon--it came off the Interstate truck! The rest always last 3-5 years or longer.

 

[illflem]

RADdodge, from what I understand Optima is coming out with a bigger battery this fall. Not only will it fill the space but we will only need one battery.

 

[Pit Bull]

What's wrong with Interstate Battery, batteries?

 

[RADdodge]

Nothing is wrong with them Pit Bull. I use them in other vehicles and they’ve done very well. I wanted to try the Optimas because of the hype. I even put one in our camper (Blue Top). Time will tell how good they really are.



Illflem – If your right, and I hope you’re right, I’ll have two slightly used batteries to sell this fall.

 

[WadePatton]

Originally posted by Pit Bull

What's wrong with Interstate Battery, batteries?

I'm not flaming Interstate-that's the only one I've ever owned. I was just surprised by its early demise--but it was a recon, so it doesn't count.

 

[Pit Bull]

My truck will be 3 years old in November. Figure I need to replace the OEM battery's before it gets real cold (OEM still is green when I look in the eye of the battery). Live in the Mid-west. Winter it gets to 0 (sometimes) and summer it gets to 95 (sometimes). Truck sits outside and is plugged-in anytime it gets under 40 degrees. I never drive off road, but the way roads are maintained anymore I guess we all need a battery that can take a beatin. OK do I need a Red Top Optima, or will a couple of Interstates that meet OEM spec's work for me? Will the Red Tops last longer and perform better? Is there really much of a price difference?

 

[illflem]

There are lots of cheaper battery brands that will perform and last as long as an Optima. I use them because I have lots of rigs and equipment to maintain and the no corrosion, no maintenance factor is a big plus. Seems like when I need to use something like right now and it won't start that the problem is usually corrosion. My OEM batteries went five years.