Best Battery?

[SMorneau]

How about some opinions on the best replacement batteries for my 96? After 230,000 miles,seven summers and 6 Minnesota winters I think I may need some new batteries.



I got them to last by drilling small holes in the top and filling them with distilled water every year or so. I topped them off again a few weeks ago and now the old Dodge doesn't crank quite as quickly. I checked all of the battery connections tonight but I fear they are not the problem.



I know the Optimas are suppose to be good but if I could get two batteries that are servicable and last as good as the factory batteries for a lot less money I would be very happy. I don't fourwheel (no shock or inverted maneuvers) so I don't see much advantage to the Optimas if they cost a lot more.



A Battery with a large flat area accross the center would save me from having to modify my bypass filter mount which has some room to spare with the stock battery.



Opinions and advice?

 

[Whitmore]

I just put in 2 optimas and so far am inpressed, they aint proved notin yet but I like what I see... ... ... ... ... Kevin



Optima's 34

 

[RADdodge]

Whitmore - are those new Optimas the same physical size as the stock ones?

 

[Whitmore]

no they are not

actually they are smaller in all areas, I can get some final ### tomorrow if you wish



Read all about them here http://www.optimabatteries.com/

 

[athompson]

I've had Optima's in all of my 4WD vehicles. They are much more durable than any other battery I've used off-road. But, since you're not doing any off-roading, I don't think you'll benefit from them at all. For the price of one Optima, you can probably get two good quality maintanable batteries.

 

[Ncostello]

I have been impressed with the Napa Nascar series. Dont know if the Nascar sticker makes them better but... my volunteer fire department has ran this in our medical squad F-350 and it has stood up to several years of long idle times, lots of amp loads constantly, short charging times on short runs, been dead several times from leaving master switch on, etc, etc. It always recharges fine, never leaks, and has always been dependable. Thats what I going to get here soon. And they are small.

 

[me4osu]

Optimas

Put them in my rig this summer. MUCH smaller than the standard plate 900 A battery and they don't leak acid. I think they are great.

 

[Okie-Go]

I think when I need batteries I will go to Sam's Club. They sell a brand called Champion. I put two in my 98 and they were 110. 00 for the pair installed. That was about 3 years ago, prolly cost more now. Can't remember the cranking amps but it was up there. Fit was just like the factory ones.

 

[kevincook]

Optimas for sure, off roaders have been using them for years!!



KC

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Okie-Go

I think when I need batteries I will go to Sam's Club. They sell a brand called Champion. I put two in my 98 and they were 110. 00 for the pair installed. That was about 3 years ago, prolly cost more now. Can't remember the cranking amps but it was up there. Fit was just like the factory ones.

These are good and you might want to look at Interstate, they make high quality batteries.

 

[drag racer]

Optima, period.

 

[illflem]

I won't use anything but a gel cell anymore, too much hassle with corrosion eating wires, cruise controls and paint jobs. No corrosion from an Optima. I've also tried gel cells from Champion, don't have the warranty of an Optima but only cost me $59/ea.

 

[Tom G]

Renting Batteries

Hi All:



Just a few words from the desert southwest about batteries. It's a big joke here in Lake Havasu City, AZ that you BUY batteries and expect them to last for more than about 2 years. Our local Checker store jokes about RENTING batteries because no matter if you buy the 36 month or 72 month battery they all seem to lasts about 18 months to 24 month.



HOT weather is murder on maintenance free batteries. In our 115-120 degree summer heat they just cook themselves to death. So when my OEM's die which will probably be in about another year or so I'll probably just start RENTING my batteries (periodic exchange under warranty) like everyone else does around here.



Oh and before I forget - I cracked the tops off my maintenance free OEM batteries after 1 year and guess what I found. About 1/4 inch of water left above the plates. At that rate they would have been out of water in about another 6 months - sound familiar to anyone else?



Tom G.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by Pit Bull

These are good and you might want to look at Interstate, they make high quality batteries.

Interstate owns Optima I believe.



The Optimas are roughly 3/4 the size of stock and lighter. That's a plus. Another plus at least on my truck, I have not had to clean the connections. I just put one in my wife's Explorer too.

 

[Pit Bull]

I went to Batteries Plus to have my OEM batteries replaced a couple of weeks ago. Figured since they were now 3 years old that I should replace them with some Optimas. The sales guy checked my OEM's and even looked at the water level in both my OEM batteries (with a real strong flash light) and they tested and looked like new. Guess I will check them again next Sept. and see if it's time. It's nice to find a company that doesn't try to sell you something you don't need. When my batteries are ready to be replaced I will buy Optimas from Batteries Plus. I looked at buying Interstate Batteries they do own Optima but I figured for $30 more per battery why not have the best. JMHO right now, could change by next year

 

[RADdodge]

Size Does Matter...

The reason I asked about the size was because I understood from previous posts that Optima was coming out with a larger battery that was about the same size as the current battery we use - which would give us more capacity. I have the Yellow Tops now. One of these won't fit in my Wrangler. Sigh, either too big, or...

 

[15w40]

The group 31 Optima is a litle larger than the stock battery.



Here is a picture of one. This battery shows a threaded connection but will also be available with the automotive top posts used in our trucks. I can't wait.



#ad

 

[SMorneau]

Thanks!

Thanks for the feedback. I now have two Optima Red Tops in the Dodge. If nothing else they look real nice!



I did some research on some newgroups and my take on the information is as follows:



Johnson Controls builds the best batteries (Interstate, Optima, several others).

Exide batteries are disappointing a lot of people.

Champion batteries are not real reliable but are cheap.

Optimas are expensive but no one complains about them.





The thought of a cracked battery and the damage that could be caused by leaking acid, better performance when cold, and an increased service life (I'll be the judge of that last one about 6 years from now) was enough to justify the added expense over the lead acid Interstate MTP-24 which was my second choice.



Again, thanks for the opinions.

Scott

 

[Pit Bull]

Scott, good reasons good choice. I will probably do the same when the time comes. Just depends on the $$$ available, but the minimum I will go with is the Interstate battery. Good Luck.