Time for a new battery

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Dave_F · #1 Post by **Dave_F** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 5:09 pm

OK guys,

I need a new battery. I currently have a Deep Cycle Polar unit that I got with the truck, but doesn't seem to be holding a charge any longer.

SO the question is what do I replace it with?

I've heard positive and negatives about the Optima batteries so I am looking for alternatives before I make any decision.

I have a standard series 3 alternator, a Warn 8274 and some IPF 55W driving lights. Not a huge load, but on occasion when I need the winch it can add up.

Thoughts on this appreciated.

Cheers,

Dave_F

Bern B · #2 Post by **Bern B** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:41 pm

How much you want to spend? don't be cheap :lol:

I had Crappy tires top of the line gel batteries and they lost the charge after about 6 to 8 months. Because I was able to find the sales slip(no sales bill no warrany) they exchanged the battery under warranty. I think I did this about 3 times with the 2 batteries that I had in the truck. The last time this happen I decided to shelf those batteries and bought the Optima RED Top and Yellow Top batteries have not had a battery problem since, thats 2 years now. I think I paid less for the Optima at my local parts store(B&J) than Crap tires battery.

http://www.optimabatteries.com/off_road ... ur_optima/

Dave_F · #3 Post by **Dave_F** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 11:47 pm

Thanks for the info.

Now can someone explain to me the differences between the Red, Blue and Yellow Optima's?

I was under the impression that the best one for me would be the Blue/Marine Deep Cycle/Starting version?

Bern B · #4 Post by **Bern B** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:55 am

I use the Red Top as my primary and Yellow Top deep cycle for accessaries winch,heated seats, heater, fridge,heated blanket,stereo,............

rayhyland · #5 Post by **rayhyland** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:39 pm

I have two red tops wired in parallel as one big 12V battery. Has worked awesome for the last 4 years, including winching duty.

I think the yellow tops are actually better for this if you have the choice, I got a good deal on the red ones though, and they have been fine.

ray

DaveB · #6 Post by **DaveB** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 5:51 pm

Optima batteries:

Red Tops - Round coiled plates as opposed to standard rectangular plates. Made for cranking and other high amperage work like winching. Generally don't like to be fully cycled (drained) more than 6-8 times in their life, so limited function for running accessories with the motor off.

Yellow Tops - Same style coiled plates. Deep Cycle, made for running low amperage draw (compared to cranking amperage) accessories for longer periods of time and can by cycled many times. But high amperage draws such as cranking and winching will end their life prematurely.

Blue Tops - An optimization -- or compromise -- between the two types of above, which in theory offers the best of both worlds. I've heard differing opinions as to how well this works.

Basically almost all battery manufacturers offer either a cranking battery or a deep cycle battery with a few of the more innovative also offering the middle range. You don't want a deep cycle as your starting battery, and you don't want a cranking battery for accessories.

Most companies offer the standard rectagular plates, while some of the progressive have gone to the coil plates and various gels as opposed to liquid acids.

If you want to know everything there is to know about batteries, have a read here: http://www.batteryuniversity.com/ -- not specific to automotive, but it gives some pretty good info about various battery types and it's a local Vancouver guy that put it together.

cheers, Dave

Dave_F · #7 Post by **Dave_F** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 5:56 pm

Thanks Dave good info on the Optimas' and their uses.

So far all the comments with the exception of yours deals with a 2 battery setup.

What are people using (brands) for a single battery?

red90 · #8 Post by **red90** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:29 am

I've been running the Exide Orbital marine deep cycle/starting batteries for the last 5 years with hard use and no failures. These are just like the Optima blue tops, but cheaper. Crappy tire sells them rebadged.

seapotato · #9 Post by **seapotato** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:46 am

watch out for ones that have been sitting on the store shelf for a while. was a thread on a local board about batts recently, and someone said he'd tested a bunch of the optima batteries at his local lordco before he found one that was any good.

course, my 2 bits as far as batts, being able to mount them sideways in smaller spaces is a nice feature, but if you aren't doing that I'm not sure they're worth twice the price.

had a set of ct batteries for years, replaced 3 times on the warranty. ( 24v truck, they can be hard on batteries.) so, for me it's all about the warranty.

cheers,
r

sailourboy · #10 Post by **sailourboy** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:36 pm

Hi Dave
Just buy mine at Edmonds batteries on Edmonds in BBY. Use marine grade as the plates won't dislodge on rough roads, their recommendation. About $100 or so.
Cheers
Ted

Doc Tari · #11 Post by **Doc Tari** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:37 pm

Dave,
I've had the same Optima blue in one of my trucks for 9 years, and it's still going strong. At one point, the truck sat for like 6 months, with the battery connected, and it still started. IMO, definitely worth double the cost of a standard battery and when it's finally dead, another will take its place. As a bonus, there's no maintenance and there's been zero corrosion to the tray and holder, unlike a standard lead-acid unit.

Doc Tari · #12 Post by **Doc Tari** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:42 pm

Ted,
Hopefully your experience with Edmonds will be better, but I found that the batteries they market under their own name aren't worth the time, let alone the expense. However, they were good about a free replacement. Also, they do sell other brands as well.

Dave_F · #13 Post by **Dave_F** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:29 pm

Hi All,

Thanks for the advice.

I went with a interstate mt-34 that has a 75month warranty with 24 month free replacement.

I'll let you all know how it performs.

Cheers,

Dave_F

kRiS · #14 Post by **kRiS** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:32 pm

Dave you cheap coont!!!

seapotato · #15 Post by **seapotato** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:25 pm

Dave_F wrote:Hi All,

Thanks for the advice.

I went with a interstate mt-34 that has a 75month warranty with 24 month free replacement.

I'll let you all know how it performs.

Cheers,

Dave_F

heh, and ain't it strange how some time in that 23 month, you always manage to forget and leave the lights on for a week? :lol:

sailourboy · #16 Post by **sailourboy** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:44 pm

Hi Pete

Batteries are still going strong in the truck and on the boat. It is not an Edmonds brand, will have to look at which make it is however the fellow who I usually deal with has now left unfortunately. He did mention that there are only 3 or 4 actual manufactures supplying Canada, US and Mexico. I used to by Trojans (no not those ones:)) however the price has jumped big time on those.
Will keep you posted on how they last.
Cheers
Ted

Dave_F · #17 Post by **Dave_F** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:08 pm

kRiS wrote:Dave you cheap coont!!!

...well I was going to invite you over to drink all the Henikens that I bought by saving money...but seeing as I am a cheap coont I will just have to drink them all by myself.... :lol: :wink:

kRiS · #18 Post by **kRiS** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:50 pm

Heinekens you say huh?
bottle or can?

Dave_F · #19 Post by **Dave_F** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:02 pm

KEG :lol:

kRiS · #20 Post by **kRiS** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:41 pm

oh I bet it's one of them baby kegs...... you cheap coont!!!

:wink:

Dave_F · #21 Post by **Dave_F** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:10 pm

I think you'll need to help me collect it...can you borrow Mark's Sankey.... :shock: :lol:

kRiS · #22 Post by **kRiS** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:19 pm

ah dave......... ur such a beer tease!!!!

Dave_F · #23 Post by **Dave_F** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:48 pm

...and Kris you are such a beer slot.... :D

kRiS · #24 Post by **kRiS** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:58 pm

not really a beer slot dave....... I am quite devoted to Heineken and Heineken only!

Bern B · #25 Post by **Bern B** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:09 pm

Hey Dave
You are so generous to invite us all to a keg party
ur the party man :P :drunken: :clock: :sign4:

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