Battery choices

[Archive]

NAPA is now carrying Excide batteries for about the same price as Redtops. They look identical except the red top. Anyone try em'?

 

[Archive]

Bill, I have the red tops in my truck too, and they're great. This is where you should pass NAPA by.

------------------
Chris Timochko
1997 5sp 4X4, HX40, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, Custom Tuned Injection Pump, 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, 6" Chrome Exhaust System, No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s. Test mule for Auto Wurks Diesel race program

 

[Archive]

Thought I'd put a little more info here for the red top batteries.

I have been using these batteries for over 8 years. Optima was bought out by Interstate about 3 years ago. They are now the same company. And the same battery. I have one of the original Optima red tops that is now 8 years old. It is on my welding machine and still going stong. Run them in everything including a 122 hph diesel tractor. Only batteries to buy. You can mount the things in any direction. Upside down if you want.

------------------
1998 4x4 2500. White. Regular cab. Not bombed. Gear Vendor(9 forwards)
2001 4x4 3500 White Flat bed. Has BD Plug in Power.

 

[Archive]

What about extreme cold weather!

Any of you boys way up North use the Optima or gel type battery where temps never get above freezing.

------------------
Owner: Stabco Repower, The turbo housing guys. '89, CC, SB, 5sp, 3. 54, 16cm2 housing, maxed fuel, KN, Banks exh w/muffler, Horton fan clutch, Autometer liquid filled gauges, Accessory tach option, 100% Dyna-Mat, Borgeson steering shaft, Firestone air bags, Chrysler V-twin air comp, 2. 5" lift, Rancho Shocks, Alcoa LTS wheels, BFG 255/85/R16 MTs (33. 3")

[This message has been edited by Stab (edited 11-14-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

I just put in my first redtops this fall,since then I've put two more in diesel tractors,seem to be fine in temps in the teens so far. My local Interstate dealer,who is also a diesel tractor mechcanic, was selling them before Interstate took over said he knows of some that have been in service for 12 years, 8 years is about the minumum. Also showed me a redtop in his arcwelder that was dropped when it was very cold,the entire bottom half of the case shattered and was missing,he put it in a plastic boat type case and has been useing it for 3 years,cells exposed. I'm sold.

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by HEMI®Dart:
Their was a thread awhile back about the Optimas.

It was recommended the Yellow Top Deep Cyclebattery was a better choice than the Red Top starter battery] for our trucks.

I`ll see if I can dig it up.

Found it. See this illflem: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum3/HTML/000125.html

I read back through this prior to buying the redtops. I still don't see why the yellow top would be better.

 

[Archive]

I checked into the red/yellow top discussion and finally e-mailed Optima. The following is quoted from David Willman, inside sales at Optima.

"You are right on the line of whether or not yellows or red tops make the better choice here. With the redtops, getting recharged
after the truck starts, they may just work okay. Might not get you the longevity you need as you are draining a little too much of their power before the recharge. With two batteries lined up though you will be
splitting the power needed between the two.
So, as long as the truck sounds it is getting started okay, I would stick with the redtops. If you feel the truck sounds sluggish at the
start, then they might be getting too drained. Yellow would be better than. I hope this helps. "

I'm 5+ years on an Optima for a Landcruiser FJ-40 that takes a pounding offroad in the summer and then weeks without starting in the winter.

Incredible battery and will use NOTHING but Optima as long as I'm driving...

Darryl

 

[Archive]

Anyone Know where these can be purchased in Canada?

------------------
98 2500 SLT, QC 12V, 4X4, Auto, 4:10's, SB, 285 BFG's on Mickey Thompson Challengers, LSD, Alpine alarm, Tekonsha brake controller, 5th wheel hitch, DeeZee stainless boards, Stull billet grille, MTX Thunder sub enclosure, Kenwood amp, Trans. temp gauge, CB radio, White/Driftwood, Camel interior. BINFORD TOOLS decal on rear window

 

[Archive]

Installed two 830 cca Excide last winter. Turns over like a bat out of **** at around -5 below.