Need new batteries- what do you recommend?

[ILIANBG]

Hello to everyone on this awesome site. I see leaks on both of my batteries, and in the morning when I start, they are arond 10V- it was not like this before! I do not think they are holding good. I was thinking about OPTIMA, I've heard good things about those. Please, give me your opinion and experience. I want good batteries, with enough power, and no maintenance. Please let me know what is the price too, and where to get it. Thanks . Ilian

 

[RCook]

Optima red tops have been in my truck for four or five years now, totally trouble free. They spin that ISB real well, even after sitting unused for a whole summer while I'm out boating in SE Alaska. Costco.

 

[brn2fsh]

Hello,



I sent you a private email.



Thanks,



Scott

 

[MickeyMiller]

When my batteries show some sign of demise, or I just get nervous, I am going to the big Odessey batteries. I have had an Odessey in my Buell since '99, factory battery died after 1 year! I'm in my 7th year on the Buell, with 2 of those years in Montana (read: 5 months each year of cold idle time) and it fires right up everyntime! I expect them to be 10 year batteries on the Ram, regardless of conditions.

 

[GFritsch]

Hello to everyone on this awesome site. I see leaks on both of my batteries, and in the morning when I start, they are arond 10V- it was not like this before! I do not think they are holding good. I was thinking about OPTIMA, I've heard good things about those. Please, give me your opinion and experience. I want good batteries, with enough power, and no maintenance. Please let me know what is the price too, and where to get it. Thanks . Ilian

I will replace with optima when the stockers are dead. Last camping trip I killed the 2 truck batts by leaving a 12v cooler on overnight. Took 1 of the blue tops out of the camper and jumped the truck on that 1 battery. It started right up. Camper battery was 4 years old and not fully charged. Great batteries.

 

[ILIANBG]

Scott(brn2fsh), sorry did not get any e-mail. Would you send it again, or PM me, please. Thanks for sharing your experience everyone. Sounds Optima Red tops is a great choice, and will NOT leak. About Odissey- I have heard about but never seen it. What is the price range of Optima Red vs. Odissey? Any amps I need to look for?

 

[JGK]

I was speaking with a guy in a battery shop over the weekend and mentioned Optimas, which he sells. He said the Optimas have had 2 or 3 price increases over the last few months. Prepare for sticker shock!



I'm sure other manufacturers and name brands have probably done the same.



For what its worth, I run the Interstate version of the Optima red tops, purchased in March of '01, and they should make it through this winter just fine. Both are owned by Johnson Controls, but the Interstate is typically a bit cheaper.



-Jay

 

[JCyrbok]

Have had Optima Red Tops for past 4. 5 years with no problems. Spin over the engine just as fast now as when they were new. This I paid about 100 apiece back in 2002 from Auto Zone, not sure what they are running now.



J-

 

[mcsinfl]

I've been told by many people that down here with the heat of Florida, doesn't matter how much you spend on a battery, you're not going to get more than 2-3 years out of it. I have yet to change the batteries in my truck, but every other vehicle I've had down here I've had to change batteries every 2-3 years. I used to buy interstate, but found i wasn't getting anymore life out of them than the $35 cheapo batteries. Can anyone comment from a hot climate whether they've had the same experience? My truck is almost 3 years old now and I suspect I'll need batteries soon, and don't want to spend the money on Optima if I'm not going to get the life out of them? Any opinions?

 

[Grizzly]

I'm sold on Costco Batteries. You can't beat the price and no one has a better warranty. They also carry Optimas. I get my marine batteries for my RV there also.

 

[DNewell]

ILIANBG, not too sure if you have Les Schwab's down there, but I suspect you don't. They are a West Coast company, and I really like their XHD batteries. I've got them in my truck, were there when I bought it just about a year ago. I've always had good luck with them. However, I do own an Optima Red Top in my Jetta with a good sized stereo system, typically if run loud, it will draw 40-50 amps, and this battery just plugs along. I think that when I have to replace in my truck, I will get Optima. You can get them at Costco, which means lifetime warranty...

 

[sfritts]

Optima red tops 3yrs. going on 4 can't say anything bad at all and they are more expensive than some of the others, but this is America and you got to pay if you want the top of the line toys.

 

[WadePatton]

Recon is the cheap route for lead/acid. "Recon" is typically a battery that has been pulled off the shelf for "shelf life" expiration. They are de/restickered and sold for about 1/2 retail. Trouble is that group 27 batteries aren't as common as the rest. The group 65's for a ford almost work, but the cables won't quite reach. Used car dealers consume the most recons.



I've run "recons" for many many years. Only trouble I ever had was the recon I bought off the interstate battery truck.



BUT, since I've lost my recon connection, I'll be buying Optimas next go around.



And 2-3 years might be avg lead/acid battery life, but my Mom's 99 just had the OEM's replaced THIS year (that's 6 or better). I usually get 4 or 5 years with l/a. Hardest thing on a l/a auto battery is sitting for long periods without recharge. They are made for high output with frequent charging. Deep cycle batteries, OTOH are designed for deep discharge and less frequent charge cycles.

 

[CumminsAholic]

I had optima red tops for 5 years, they were still good and I put them in 2 other vehicles, still going (6 years) I put the optima D31A Heavy duty deep cycle batteries in it now. They were expensive Read $190 a piece, but man do they have power. When I had the red tops my lights would dim anytime I had my radio over half turned up with my amp on. Now I can have it all the way up and they don't even think about dimming. It also works great for jumpstarting other vehicles, providing the cables are big enough. If I ever do sell the truck the batteries will stay with me.



On another note, I also have everlast batteries from wal mart in other vehicles. The one I get has a 3 year free replacement warranty, I think it's about $60 and 1050ca. They work well. But I have had to have a couple replaced after 2+ years. (some of my "vehicles" get driven only a couple times a year, hense the batteries don't last too well... oh and no not all of them have a battery, I do have a "shop" battery that goes from vehicle to vehicle) They've been real good about replacement though. I've done it twice and haven't had to pay a penny.



If you have the $ go with optima, if not get the ones from wal-mart, they may not last, but if they don't you can get new ones for nothing.



Corey

 

[RDelissen]

Optima Redtops here (dark gray casing)



BTW: that's all I'm using in any of my rigs and no issues till the day

 

[DKayser]

For what its worth, I run the Interstate version of the Optima red tops, purchased in March of '01, and they should make it through this winter just fine. Both are owned by Johnson Controls, but the Interstate is typically a bit cheaper.



-Jay

JGK, Did you get these at the Interstate place on Franklin Road west of Meridian? How`s the brewin doin? Don.

 

[UP N MTNS]

I'm running the WalMart yellow tops. .

Work great,good warranty and theres WalMart's on every corner if I ever need to warranty them.

 

[JGK]

DKayser,



Yep, that was the place.



Just broke over the 1200-gallons-of-oil-processed mark.



-J.

 

[ILIANBG]

Thanks for the help guys. Just bought 2 new Red Top Optimas from Pep Boys. Should be good for a while now.

 

[BTowler]

Sorry, got here a little late. I know a few people locally who have trashed their Optimas, they say they don't hold up to use in Diesels. I am going to try the Odyssey PC1700 in a single set up and see how that works.