Optima Batteries

[Alaskaskiff]

Optima's and Espar

Been running Optimas and my espar for the last 2 years. No problems at all.

 

[CumminsPower98]

I killed a Yellow Top in the car I used to have. I got really sick one winter and was in bed for about 3 weeks. I went out to the car one day for some reason and found that I had left my RCI 2950 radio on. At this point it had been about 2. 5 weeks I think. After that I never got it to charge back up. I didn't try for a warranty since I did give it a pretty good drain. I run Red Tops in my truck and so far so good (21 months).



Mark

 

[Mingoglia]

I'm curious if anyone has considered golf cart batteries? I'll tell you what, I've ran two deep cycle batteries in my RV and I was never thrilled with it. I was lucky to be able to run my heat all night because of the draw of the heater fan. This dual battery setup of course is similar to how our trucks are wired. A few weeks ago I replaced my RV batteries (the current batteries barely lasted a year) with two golf cart batteries wired in series (golf cart batteries are 6 volt). I can't believe the difference. On a camping trip 2 weekends ago I ran the heat (in my RV) and 1 porch light from approximately 5:30pm for 2 days and my battery gauge didn't move (in the RV). By the way, a local golf cart repair shop sold me the *two* batteries (out the door with tax) for $109 and some change... . Just curious because I've never heard of anyone doing this even in vehicles with competition stereos and/or other high draw equipment.

 

[MWilleford]

Optima experience:

My dad bought 1 optima battery back in 1988 for our Bobcat. Since then, that battery has been in every piece of farm equipment we own (Bobcat, IH scout, Ford 55hp tractor and more), including a International 700Loadstar, with an IH DT466engine. It would crank that no problem (the battery was 6 years old at that point).

It has been drained DEAD on many occasion. (The key was left on in the Bobcat one night, and the battery was dead the next day. We removed the battery cable, came back the next day, installed the cable and there was enough juice to crank the engine and start!!!!!!)

In the mean time, we must have spent $500+ dollars on Walmart batteries. (once lead cell batteries are drained dead once, the life seems to be very short)

Lesson: Buy a battery and buy it once.

The battery has been retired this past year. It had been in the 15kw generator, usually sitting a long time between starts and it finally could not do the job

If I ever spend money on batteries, it will be an Optima.

 

[KWIKKURT]

Originally posted by Mingoglia

I'm curious if anyone has considered golf cart batteries?

The "DEEP CYCLE" Batteries used in golf carts are True Deep Cycle and are not designed to give a Big Amperage Hit that it takes to crank our diesel. They are a great choice for use in the "House" batteries for a RV but not the Chassis "Start" batteries. Most RV's come with the Dual purpose "Marine" Style Batteries that are a cross breed between real deep cycle battery and a Auto style Starting battery. They do not work as well it constant drain use like when using your RV heater.



CUMMINSPOWER98,



Often when a battery is Completely drained to absolute 0 you have to "Force Feed" it some juice to get it's heart started again. This is nearly impossible to do with a standard battery charger. Find someone with a HD Professional style Battery charger and set it on "Start" forcing some juice will get it accepting normal charging again. Kurt

 

[CumminsPower98]

Thanks for the tip kurt, I will try this again and see if I can get it to come to life. It's probably been over 2 years now so I don't know if there is any hope now.

 

[scbrown]

Yellow Tops

Installed 2 yellow tops today "34" .

Called Optima and the 31's wont be out until December.

I did get the size of them 12 13/16 L x 6 1/2 W x 9 3/8 H.

I would have to cut the sides out of the trays to get them to fit.

I told them that I run a snow plow and a power sucking CB radio and they said the 34's would work fine.

Price was $342. 38 for both and he gave me a Optima cooler shaped like a battery. I guess thats the least he could do for that much money !!!!:--)These batteries also have a 3 year warranty.

 

[CJ Johansson]

Group 31 batteries - 950 CCA each

Originally posted by Chipstien

However, if I could install two group 31 Optimas than I would do it. Anyone installed group 31 batteries in place of the factory batteries. Is there enough room?

Yup, it can be done. I've got a pair of group 31 tractor batteries in mine. They are longer, wider and taller than the stock batteries so some minor surgery is required.



It's actually really easy though. Height and width are not a problem, they just barely fit the tray width-wise, but you have to cut the front end of the tray out to handle the extra lenght. The tray is molded plastic - looks like some sort of glass reinforced stuff, but cuts easily with a hacksaw. Just remove the old batteries, undo the bolts holding the trays in place and cut out the front end. The hold-down bolts are just long enough as well, so they work fine too.



-cj