Optima redtop recharging

[JLEONARD]

Would there be any issues using a Marine battery?

The word "marine" adds $$ to the price. Supposedly they have a grid separating the plates so they don't break off and short out in rough seas.

They are usually rated in cranking amps not cold cranking amps (no big deal) and I think marine batteries have a wing nut connection (some may also have a post for clamping).



That said I use regular automotive batteries in my boat.

 

[ChrisOlson]

Hello
my 2 cents worth
Batteries have a Life Span... ... that said 6 years is a good amount of time.
on the ships i work on the batteries are all changed out after 5 years our batteries are load tested every Week it has been proven that our batteries last 4 to 5 years

my batteries passed 6 years the Napa Spiral wound gel cell sealed Batteries have been completely drained because of my dumb behind leaving lights on 4 times. twice the Batteries were left for 2 weeks with the inside lights on, deader than dead. 10 mins with AAA and the truck started. these Batteries have exceeded my expectations and I will replace them with the same. I am unsure of the Warranty I did not have to use the warrenty. I live in Alaska where the heater Cycles deep before start BRRRR. the batteries drain down but the truck always starts. unless I leave the lights on.

I went to NAPA in Portland OR and they said they only sell the Red top optmia now.
I purchased 2 red tops for the truck very happy with these as well so far.

chris

 

[DVolk]

That seams like BS those Orbital batts ive seen else were id call around or check the web site . I think Oriely sells them as well . You know for more cranking power a person could go to two 6 volts .

 

[HHhuntitall]

Wow, lots of information! Thanks HHhuntital and JLEONARD. Just stopped at Sears Auto Center this AM. Confirmed that there were no automotive application platnum batteries that were specific to the '93 Dodge. HOWEVER! They do have a Platinum Marine(Odessey) deep cycle battery with 1170CCA. $259. 00 plus tax, out the door!

Would there be any issues using a Marine battery? What is the difference other than a "deep draw down" capability? The posts are oriented correctly for this battery but it is hugemongus! I'd have to use a crane to set it into the truck:-laf. I will probably use the battery from "old ugly" until I can save up for one of these, provided it can be charged. It has been sitting for a couple of years, but it is only about 3 years old with little use. I disconnected the cables because of a short in the wiring harness. Remember that Magnesium Chloride we have on out dirt roads#@$%!. Thanks for your replys! GregH

Yeah, that sounds like a decent commercial price on the Oddessy batteries..... I've used them on occasion, as customers brought them to me. I never has a local source like I do for the Optimas. As long as the battery can produce the 900+ starting load repeatedly, it should work fine. If it's 1170 COLD cranking amps, that's a really good battery!! Usually, most of the 31 series batteries run 900CCA and @1125 at 32degrees, and that's what came from the factory. You could also ask for a battery for a big truck or tractor. I've run them on less, but the batteries don't hold up as well. Personally, I'd run the old battery until it quit or I had the funds, too!! Nothing like having a wife and kids, HA!!!

 

[GHarman]

Yep! Its time!

Could this be a starter issue, a heating grid relay issue, or a battery reserve issue?

See my post above.
Open up yer wallet

Well its been a spell and I finally put the money together. After some consideration, I bought a Sears Diehard Platinum 1150CCA, 31M marine battery. Paid $280 plus tax. It is the same dimensions as the OE battery with extra connectors for the misc. extra wiring harness hookups. Supposedly these are rebranded Odyssey batterys and have a 3 year(4 years for automotive batteries) full replacement warranty. I could have duplicated the existing battery hookup with 2 Diehard Platinum P-1, 880 CCA model 50034's; they are H-7 13/16", L-10 7/8", W-6 3/4" at a cost of $420 plus taxes. Couldnt swing that one!
Now I gotta lift it up into the truck:-laf! The blasted thing weighs 71#! I should drive it over to the shop and use the engine hoist! Dang, I need a sling! Sounds like a plan! GregH

 

[GHarman]

An embarrassing update!

I like to keep y'all in the loop. It keeps me on my toes and shows that the simple issues are the ones that will bite you!

#1 The Redtop Optimas are 7 years old. That is amazing! I am going to replace them, straight away, just due to the age!

#2. I was doing some snooping and hands on, planning the swap out.

Heres what I found! All the wing nut accessory connections in that battery compartment were loose! One of the battery terminals was so loose that it was about to flop off the battery post!:--) It did not look that way on cursory inspection! I just had to grab it and give it a shake. Far less than the vibration offered on a simple 4X4 two track trail!!!

As much as I looked at the battery box, noting no corrosion, I neglected to physically check out the connections. That is the very first thing that I should have done! :{

So now I have a couple of old but useable batteries. One, I will use on my portable welder!! Meantime, I'll go sit in the truck! GregH

 

[HHhuntitall]

Hey, that's the best way to get a "free" battery for the welder .....



One of the things I have on hand, fairly cheap for as much as I use it, is a battery load tester. I've got two actually; one's a 100amp direct short circuit unit, with a little needle guage on it that came from Harbor Freight... . I think it was around $25. The other is a 500 amp carbon pile tester, a little more complex, but neccessary on larger tractor batteries..... either one works well on 12v batteries, and you can use them to check your connections if you have open access to the contacts anywhere, such as the cables above the battery or at the starter..... they'll tell you if you have a bad connection during start, a weak alternator, and the system voltage going to wherever you clamp it on at.



Also, Greg, have you looked at the little 5w solar panels available? They'll float charge your batteries for you, even during the winter, and keep'em nice and hot for those cold mornings... . you may not need one now that you've got a new one, but I use 'em on tractors and combines that don't start for months at a time, and they work great!!

 

[GHarman]

New battery installed!!

Finally! Had some time scheduled to git-er-done! This is nothing for most of y'all out there. For me its a major undertaking. Anyway, went over to the shop where I have an engine hoist and some work space. Hoisted the new battery (71#)out of the back of the truck and set it on a roller table. Disconnected the Optimas and lifted them out by hand(~31# each). About my maximum lift wearing a back brace. Then I cut some rubber pads from some scrap 1/2" thick rubber matting. Set them on the battery mounting shelf for shock distribution and cut/rewelded the battery hold down bracket to fit the new battery. The new Sears branded Odessey really spins the old iron over, dang smartly! Those Old Optimas were somewhat tired compared to the new battery. Took me about 2 hours. Now I gotta stretch out the kinks:-laf! Just hang up-side-down like a bat. Kinda get the hungers fer moths and mosquitoes when I do that:-laf

I'll take a picture of the battery installedand post it if ya like? Its the purtiest thing about "New Ugly":-laf! GregH

 

[HHhuntitall]

Its the purtiest thing about "New Ugly":-laf! GregH

..... that and the fact that it'll start this winter, when nothing else will!!

 

[GHarman]

..... that and the fact that it'll start this winter, when nothing else will!!

Yeah Buddy! 'Specially when it hits -30*F:-laf! Hopefully the rest of the truck will cooperate! Its a good hunk of "arn"! Just needs TLC! GregH

 

[DValentine]

Glad you got her done, Greg. Hope she runs well for you through the winter. Heard we might be in for another long one like last year. Talk to you soon. I'm off for a while.

D

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yeah Buddy! 'Specially when it hits -30*F:-laf! Hopefully the rest of the truck will cooperate! Its a good hunk of "arn"! Just needs TLC! GregH

You bet!! You ever want to get rid of it, you just let me know!! ... ... I bet that's a day way colder than -30... . :-laf

 

[GHarman]

Hey, I kept my promise

And, I was bored:-laf. Heres a picture! Aint it the dang ding purdiset thing you ever did see! Best part is that it works:-lafOo. I do like the additional accessory posts as I got alot of extra wires GregH

 

[GHarman]

Different view

Different angle!