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Time for a new battery, but what one?
My SPF is now 10 years old. Even though the original Optima (#8025-160/25) still works like a champ I figure it's time for a new one. I've done a little poking around for a replacement and see people complaining about Optima quality having taken a turn for the worse lately. Any thoughts or opinions on the topic?
Chuck |
I honestly have never had very good luck with Optima batteries but I have been very happy with the Odyssey batteries I have purchased:
https://www.odysseybattery.com/ |
Duracell!
My Duracell Group 78 Battery is just turning 6 years old and not missed a beat yet. I use a charger on it during winter months to keep it fresh.
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For a street car, I always prefer to get the biggest battery that will fit in the space. And then some. I like having that reserve available should I ever need it.
AGM batteries are better (IMO) if the battery is in the passenger compartment, or over the foot box. If there's an accident, you don't want acid spilling on the passengers. But AGM batteries require a more specific charging pattern than a standard wet battery. They are standard equipment on a lot of new vehicles. And they have an alternator controlled by the ECM to provide the right charging pattern. That could possibly be why AGM batteries don't last as long in these kinds of applications. Maybe? IDK. But I have heard that Optima batteries can be hit or miss. I prefer to buy batteries from Autozone. They are usually well rated. The price is good. And in the US it's pretty easy to find a replacement if there's a problem. Interstate is historically an excellent choice. But it can be hard to find a replacement while traveling. ACDelco (GM) is also an excellent choice. But they can be pricey. |
I am partial to the ACDelco brand
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Some good information guys, thanks a bunch. Time to start researching a bit further.
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I have gel batteries in my two hobby road cars. My dedicated autocrosser has a Lithium battery. My DD road vehicles have conventional batteries. For the latter I have been using autozone for a long time.
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I've had good luck buying from Costco - both flooded and AGM batteries. Can't beat their warranty and customer service.
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Quote:
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Removed a dead 11yr old yellow top and replaced it with a red top.
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Most batteries are going from a 3yr-full+2yr-prorated to a flat 3. In Vegas with the heat they barely last 3 years, so we buy the cheapest 3 year battery we can get and for my truck with a group 65 that has been Walmart for the past two.
Sams club had the best price for my daughter's car and our Honda CRV. |
[quote=twobjshelbys;1490317]Most batteries are going from a 3yr-full+2yr-prorated to a flat 3. In Vegas with the heat they barely last 3 years, so we buy the cheapest 3 year battery we can get and for my truck with a group 65 that has been Walmart for the past two.
I've been using the Walmart EverStart Maxx for the past 10+ years. They last at least 5 years in my daily drivers and have a full replacement warranty for 3 years. The group 65 is rated for 850 cca and when new they test at around 1000 cca. The group 65 EverStart Maxx was given an above average rating by one of the consumer testing companies and sells for around $100. I've only had one out of about eight batteries that gave up the ghost within the warranty period and that was on my snow plow truck that sat for long periods between use. So, I highly recommend the EverStart Maxx, although if it is going into an occasionally used vehicle make sure you have a battery smart charger connected during non use/storage. |
Optima Red Top 34/78 (9004-003) - trunk mounted.
https://www.optimabatteries.com/products/redtop-34-78 Has standard and GM style battery connection. Car starting hooked to the standard posts and the GM connections have a Battery Tender extension cord. I can hook up and trickle or top off charge without venturing into the trunk to connect. Can also connect a small Battery Tender voltage indicator to the extension cable for status check. https://www.batterytender.com/Batter...84370000000154 Battery is currently 3 years old and still going strong. |
My Group 34/78 battery sits in a sealed battery box that's mounted sideways in the trunk, tucked behind the right rear wheel. The box has a tube that vents outside the trunk.
https://static.summitracing.com/glob....jpg?rep=False https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g1230 I run external 'jump start' terminals under the hood. Photo below shows the terminals, but they're mounted without the bracket, directly on the chromed trim panels inside the engine compartment. I can put a charger or battery maintainer on the terminals or check the voltage without having to open the trunk or battery box. https://static.summitracing.com/glob...-500931_ml.jpg https://www.americanautowire.com/sho...art-block-prov |
Optima, my first one ( 34/78 ) lasted 12 years so, I bought another. Also get a Battery Tender well worth the money.
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Similar to everyone here... but just like "tonywyso"...
My logic is to go with the highest cranking/deep cycle battery I can fit in the allocated space for an AGM battery. My SPF has the trunk mount battery similarly... 1st choice - Odyssey (could not find the right size with large CCA) 2nd choice - Duracell (CCA was less than the Red Optima) 3rd choice - Optima Red Top .. 34/78 (9004-003) had the highest CCA so installed it in my Cobra. https://www.optimabatteries.com/products/redtop-34-78 I add Battery Tender leads on all my sports cars and use: https://www.batterytender.com/Batter...nior-12V-0-75A All my cars are on the Battery Tender when parked in my garages... longest battery life was 11+yrs old... Cobra really cranks nice with the higher CCA !!! Good luck .... let us know what you went with... |
My local AutoZone store had one battery that would fit my battery box, but the terminals were reversed so it was no-go unless I wanted to get under the car, re-route battery cables and drill a couple new holes in the box. I know this because I took the damm thing home and dropped it into the battery box to verify. It's bad enough having pulled one battery from an SPF battery box; I thought number two was gonna get the best of me.
Back at AutoZone I asked about the Odyssey batteries but the cost just seemed prohibitive. Curiously enough, the store manager referred to the AC Delco's as being a "cheaper" variety of battery. So now I have a new redtop on order. On a positive note, I know it fits the battery box and I know the cables reach the terminals, so once I drop it in the box it won't have to come back out until it fails. Hopefully I get a good one and it lasts a long time. I'm a big believer in battery tenders. I use them on everything from hot rods to garden tractors and generally get very good battery life. |
cold cranking is not as important as reserve capacity in a car that sits a lot. Get the most reserve capacity you can find rv/boat type .
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Both Cobras have Optima (Red top) finally changed the one in the 427 this year. Brought a NAPA (Gold top) AGM for the Mazda RX-7/V-8 car, seems just as good for far less money ?? Buying the best chargers, seem the ticket to a long lasting battery. Cheers TommyRot.
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Costco, great battery. Good cranking and reserve, plus they will replace it if there is a problem, no questions asked.
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