Want good batteries for accessories

[MacMc]

Okay, I just spent the entire evening reading lots of old threads in several searches. I've learned about Optimas and Odyssies, Interstates and Everstarts.



So, here's my specific question and maybe I can get some follow-ups on how everyone's been liking the stuff they've been putting in.



Why are batteries such a PITA to put cables onto? I haven't seen any improvements to this since I was a kid. My Ford F-250 (7. 5L gas) has to have the cable at a specific rotary angle or it won't start, and it's tighter than a you-know-what.



I'm getting ready to put more accessories into both my trucks and need the battery connections to do it. Wouldn't hurt to upgrade the batteries while I'm at it.



Do they make batteries that have auxiliary posts for landing other cables to power the inverter, winch, and what-have-you?



Everyone still swearing by the Odyssey? Worth it over the Optimas? Anyone still sold on something else?

 

[The Adjuster]

MacMc,

Yes the Odyssey's are a great battery ... no acid or gel to worry about ... the only reason I don't have them is the price :{

I think Optima has batteries with aux posts but don't recall Odyssey having any.

If you are on a bit of a budget look into Interstate, they make a dual post for our trucks (connect your accessories to the side posts) and at $100 a piece the price is good. they have a 18 month full replacement and a 67 month pro rate warranty after that ... I vaguely recall someone telling me that Interstate makes optima, everlast and everstart and maybe a few others ... but don't quote me on that.

Kevin

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Yes I believe all the Optimas have dual post configurations - for me with the aux lights, headlights now wired from the batteries, etc that's essential.

 

[Thomas]

Yes I believe all the Optimas have dual post configurations...

Not all. Of the red top Optimas likely to be used in a Cummins/Ram, the 34/78 (in attached photo below) do. The 34 & 34R do not.

Installing the ring lugs on the OEM cables and using the military terminals on the batteries accomplishes two things:

• Relatively easy to add new wires
• Repeated connects/disconnects of the battery cables doesn't degrade the cable end terminal.

 

[Joe G.]

I don't connect my extra stuff directly to the battery. I built a relay box instead. The relay box has a cable from the hot lug in the PDC.

 

[BDeMartile]

interstate batteries are made by Johnson industries you might do a search and see what else they make (johnson). I personally use interstate have had great service from them cant beat the price and oh yeah the fleet I maintain uses nothing but Interstate and my guys are hard on equiptment.

 

[Halfbakediesel]

I am using the blue top optimas and they have the aux. posts, and they where a little closer to having the same reserve, and cranking amps. seem to be working okay

 

[djbobo]

My 1700 odyssey (in my vw tdi) has the standard post along with 3/8" threads in the center.

The man I bought it from has a pair of 2100's in his 24v Dodge. They have the posts in the middle of the battery and required no mods to the box or cables. I think the posts were the same threaded brass ones as the 1700.

I'll go for the 2100's when the time comes after seeing his set-up.



dj

 

[MacMc]

I got an E-mail from Interstate. He says they don't make anything with auxiliary posts.



I like the military terminals with the ring lugs. That's light years ahead of where I am now.



But I'm still interested in upgrading the batteries. It's on the back burner for now, though.

 

[JLEONARD]

I don't have any accessories hooked up to my battery, but I am going into my 4th Connecticut winter with a single Optima red top.

(hope I didn't jinx myself)

Jay

 

[GAmes]

I use the Orbitals from NAPA. Same technology as Optimas. Plenty of reserve power too. I have done some VERY cold starts with inop grid heaters. They are rated at 1000 CA and 770 CCA. They also have side posts.

 

[MacMc]

This is no longer on the back burner. By coincidence, my truck is having a heckuva time starting now, it started last Saturday, the day I had to make a delivery from Las Vegas to the border of Mexico, the truck's first road trip!!



It's getting worse, sometimes worse than others. Are the batteries the culprit? It's cranking slowly, sometimes several seconds before firing, and not normal. The worst was earlier today, and it took about 12-15 seconds, and I know you shouldn't crank longer than 15 seconds, right?

 

[MacMc]

Bought two Optima Blue Tops today from Costco. $159. 99 plus $5 and tax each. 750 CCA each with auxiliary threaded posts.



They also had big Kirkland normal batteries with auxiliary threaded posts, like on my RV, but they only had 650 CCA each.

 

[Matt42]

Bought two Optima Blue Tops today from Costco. $159. 99 plus $5 and tax each. 750 CCA each with auxiliary threaded posts.



They also had big Kirkland normal batteries with auxiliary threaded posts, like on my RV, but they only had 650 CCA each.

Good choice. I'm using six year old red top Optimas on my trailer, second-hand from my truck four years ago. Best deep cycle batteries I've ever used, even if they aren't deep cycle. Six years out of ANY battery here is unreal.

 

[jacqnbill]

Do a Goggle search on AGM Batterys. I have used (six) on my Trailer and two on my Dodge Pickup. They are great. Sealed with no fumes to cause corrosion and no acid spill. You can mount them upside down or sideways. They come in several cable mounts to include screw terminals. UPS will deliver them. Try that with any other battery. Cost around $150 delivered.



Bill

 

[jacqnbill]

Do a Goggle search on AGM Batterys. I have used (six) on my Trailer and two on my Dodge Pickup. They are great. Sealed with no fumes to cause corrosion and no acid spill. You can mount them upside down or sideways. They come in several cable mounts to include screw terminals. UPS will deliver them. Try that with any other battery. Cost around $150 delivered.



Bill

 

[Servis]

battery

I just purchased two 72 month batteries from NTB. Got home and they were too big for the truck. When to Chrysler, they had to replace the battery trays so the batteries would fit. They are still 1/2 inch too wide to properly fit in the battery trays. Chrysler finally got them to fit. I was assured they will never move. Please stay away from NTB.

 

[Loren]

Report on Optima Batteries

MacMc,



I bought my first Optima batteries (yellow-tops) in January 1999. They are currently installed in our Airstream and seem to be working fine so far.



I rotate batteries downstream from the most critical application to the least critical. In my case that means that the newest batteries are in the 2000 Dodge, then the 1995 Dodge, then other cars/trucks, then the RV, then the tractor.



The tractor, by the way, is currently using one of the factory batteries from the 2000 Dodge. (The other one died a few years ago. New in December 1999. )



Optima recommends their deep-cycle batteries for our trucks. That meant yellow or blue-tops when I bought mine. The only difference between the two styles is that the blue-tops have an extra stud with a wing nut to connect accessories or RV connections. They also have the standard post for our trucks.



If you install batteries that are not as tall as the factory batteries be sure to shorten the hold-down bolts or put something between the batteries and the hold-down bracket. If you screw the bolts in too far, one can extend beneath the battery tray to pierce a wire bundle there.



I hope I don’t jinx myself, but so far I have not had an Optima battery go bad. I do take very good care of my batteries. I have a good, electronic charger (Vector) with the de-sulphation option and I use it a lot. During winter months, the batteries from the RV are removed and kept charged.



I like the Optima batteries. I will probably continue to buy them when needed. They self-discharge very slowly and don’t produce any corrosion at the terminal connections. For the power, they are a reasonable size and weight.



I don’t think you can go wrong with Odyssey batteries either. My brother has one in his motorcycle and won’t buy anything else now.



I got my Optimas from DC Battery Specialists (on-line). Their address is:



http://www.dcbattery.com/



I paid $260. 00 for two blue-tops delivered to my door in 2001. Those are my newest batteries and they are still in the 2000 Dodge.



Happy hunting,

Loren

 

[San Felipe Bob]

Odyessy for me X 2 P1700's

More than enough power.



Drove from New Mexico to Southern California without any charging from the alternator. .



SFB

 

[DAWG-1]

Optima

I purchased my Optima (red top) batterys from Interstate battery for $108 about 6 months ago. I just installed them. My original batterys lasted almost 6 years. I only changed them as preventitive maintenance. Sam.