Best battery for the buck?
- Thread starter VT365
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I'm really stuck on optima batteries. I don't care how old the battery is in anything new I get, I replace it with an optima. I've never had one go dead and never had to replace one yet. No more corroded batter terminals, no more leaking acid and they even start my diesels up fast as ever no matter how cold it gets.
I used to be stuck on diehards till the came out with these. Sears sells them under their name now too but I believe it's interstate that manufactures them. They do sears batteries too last I heard.
You probably don't want my opinion on those other store brands.
I used to be stuck on diehards till the came out with these. Sears sells them under their name now too but I believe it's interstate that manufactures them. They do sears batteries too last I heard.
You probably don't want my opinion on those other store brands.
xlr82v2
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WTA,
How long have you been using the Optima batteries? Do you have any long term experience with them, or just recent experience?
My VW TDI is going to need a new battery real soon...
How long have you been using the Optima batteries? Do you have any long term experience with them, or just recent experience?
My VW TDI is going to need a new battery real soon...
jimmer2880
Platinum Member
I have recently switched to Optima batteries after hearing nothing but great stories over on the boat forum I frequent. I switched 2 years ago. Until then, I was killing 1 boat battery a year. The others just couldn't stand up to the pounding/vibrations from the boat. I have been switching everything I own over as they die. I'm sold on them. Red tops for my vehicles. Blue top for my boat. I may put a blue-top in the tractor when it does because of the abuse it sees (although, my Jeep Wrangler abuses the red top pretty good).
jimmer2880
Platinum Member
xlr82v2 said:WTA,
How long have you been using the Optima batteries? Do you have any long term experience with them, or just recent experience?
My VW TDI is going to need a new battery real soon...
I wish I had a TDI. It sure would be easier on my 120 mile a day commute, wallet than my 18 mpg Wrangler
But, the Jeep is paid for, and runs like a top. Until it dies, I can't justify replacing it.
RalphVa
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I've had good luck with AutoZone batteries. That's all I've had in my 25 year old Benz, after the original failed at around 6-7 years.
Think my first replacement battery in my VW was from Advanced though. Interesting that it was labeled as coming from Mexico. That's where the VW was made.
Ralph
Think my first replacement battery in my VW was from Advanced though. Interesting that it was labeled as coming from Mexico. That's where the VW was made.
Ralph
wushaw
Elite Member
I have a red top Optima in my Jeep that is four years old, if it goes six years then it will beat a Interstate battery I had once in a pickup.
I usualy only get @ 2 - 4 years on a battery.
I usualy only get @ 2 - 4 years on a battery.
IXLR8
Elite Member
[ begin hijack]
I don't believe any Optima has the current rating that the TDI requires. Lots of discussion about it on the TDIclub.com web page. My TDI is also in need of a battery, hard to find one properly rated. Interstate has one... $190!! Still looking. [end hijack]xlr82v2 said:WTA,
How long have you been using the Optima batteries? Do you have any long term experience with them, or just recent experience?
My VW TDI is going to need a new battery real soon...
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
I've been using the NAPA gell-filled batteries for replacements near 4 years now. I have 5 on the job at this point. Nothing but praise for them. Just don't use a gell battery in anything proned to over-charge. That's bad on any battery but downright dangerous with a NON-VENTED gell battery.
dbdartman
Platinum Member
We started using the Optima red-tops in my bro's 69 Coronet wagon about 5 years ago. That one worked out so well, what with being used only a few times a year, that we next installed one on the 68 Barracuda, then one in the 94 F-150 (they spends months on end sitting idle). If I ever get my Dart back on the road, it will get one, & when the battery goes on my 04 Colorado I'll see if one will fit it.
As far as wet-cell batteries go, there are only like 3 battery manufacturers in the US that make all those different "name brands." There's really very little difference in batteries, no matter who's name is on them. The biggest differences are in how well the plates are supported in the case, & how high off the bottom of the case the cells are.
As far as wet-cell batteries go, there are only like 3 battery manufacturers in the US that make all those different "name brands." There's really very little difference in batteries, no matter who's name is on them. The biggest differences are in how well the plates are supported in the case, & how high off the bottom of the case the cells are.
SkyPup
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xlr82v2 said:WTA,
How long have you been using the Optima batteries? Do you have any long term experience with them, or just recent experience?
My VW TDI is going to need a new battery real soon...
I installed red top Optimas in our VW TDs four years ago and haven't had a problem since.
jimmer2880
Platinum Member
Like all batteries, the optimas have different amp ratings. They are even different within the same color top (there are more than 1 red-top optima batteries).
Just be sure you get the CCA you need in a red top & I'm sure you won't regret it.
Just be sure you get the CCA you need in a red top & I'm sure you won't regret it.
IXLR8
Elite Member
From what I have read, VW recommends a minimum of 72Ahr rating for a TDI battery. The TDI Golf/Jetta's come with a 80Ahr rated battery, the TDI New Bettle's come with a 72Ahr rated battery as the space for a battery is smaller in that car. The max rating I have seen on the Optima web page is 45Ahr. If you live in Fla... this is a none issue. If you live in the northern part of Canada it makes it a show stopper. Somewhere in between is the gray area. I have an Optima in my motorcycle, works great, but then again I don't ride in the winter. I know of several folks with the Optima in warmer climates who LOVE them... rightly so. I know of just as many folks in the colder climates who HATE them... For holding a charge between uses.. they can't be beat. YMMV
If you are anywhere near a Cabela's, they always have boat batteries (deep cycle) REALLY cheap in the Bargain Cave. Check their on-line closeouts. I like the deep cycle in my tractor because the charger is pretty weak. Works great for long term farm operations but not for short use winter cycles.
AndyMA
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I am on my 3rd battery in my Ford 2120. The first 2 (Ford/New Holland OEM's) made it about 9 years each. I'm now using a Sears Die Hard Deep Cycle only becaue I had it. I have virtually no battery problems in my tractors. The OEM battery in my TN75D is 5 years old and just fine.
Andy
Andy
AndyMA
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These machines sometimes sit for a month or 2 without starting and always fire right up.
Andy
Andy
Rara Avis
Veteran Member
I've switched to Interstate, as vehicle batteries fail...still have a conglomeration of JD, SEARS, and Private label in the rest of the vehicles and tractors...
2000 Chevy 2500, primary emergency response, have had the battery run down twice on emergency scenes, where someone was so kind to shut off the motor but not the light bar... Jumped to start on scenes and recharged both times at home and is still starting the beast as of today...when the temp was 13 degrees F...
87 Ford dump truck sat for 6 months and fired right up and that was at 18 degrees F earlier this morning...
70's something backup 2640 JD, also sat for over 6 months and fired right up, but the temperature was warmer...
Finally, had the JD battery in an 855, which I had to replace in the spring twice, since it's been an Interstate...no problem...
But as the saying goes...YMMV...
2000 Chevy 2500, primary emergency response, have had the battery run down twice on emergency scenes, where someone was so kind to shut off the motor but not the light bar...
Jumped to start on scenes and recharged both times at home and is still starting the beast as of today...when the temp was 13 degrees F... 87 Ford dump truck sat for 6 months and fired right up and that was at 18 degrees F earlier this morning...
70's something backup 2640 JD, also sat for over 6 months and fired right up, but the temperature was warmer...
Finally, had the JD battery in an 855, which I had to replace in the spring twice, since it's been an Interstate...no problem...
But as the saying goes...YMMV...
allenr
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I'm sold on Gel Batteries.
Have 2 Optima red tops 720 CCA, now just over 4 years old and 4 Exide Orbital 750 CCA, 2 x 2 years and 2 x 1 month old.
1 of the Orbitals failed after about a year but was replaced at no cost.
I swap all of these around between 6 tractors, a backhoe, truck, grape harvester, Cushman Truckster, vine training buggy and probably one or two other vehicles that I haven't thought of, love their light weight and lack of acid leaks.
They'll all start anything, including the Cummins 8.3 Litre T/Diesel in the truck.
The truck came with 3 x 410 or 430 CCA Batteries (can't remember exactly), but just one of the above will do it (don't have sub 0 Celsius nights though).
Trouble with swapping batteries is that the terminals seem to compress over time, but so did the leaky old batteries.
Have 2 Optima red tops 720 CCA, now just over 4 years old and 4 Exide Orbital 750 CCA, 2 x 2 years and 2 x 1 month old.
1 of the Orbitals failed after about a year but was replaced at no cost.
I swap all of these around between 6 tractors, a backhoe, truck, grape harvester, Cushman Truckster, vine training buggy and probably one or two other vehicles that I haven't thought of, love their light weight and lack of acid leaks.
They'll all start anything, including the Cummins 8.3 Litre T/Diesel in the truck.
The truck came with 3 x 410 or 430 CCA Batteries (can't remember exactly), but just one of the above will do it (don't have sub 0 Celsius nights though).
Trouble with swapping batteries is that the terminals seem to compress over time, but so did the leaky old batteries.
number two
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As far as conventional batteries go,I've been well pleased with Interstate for over 20 years. Thet make a size for everyone,price is fair,durability is decent. Have gotten 8+ years out of some.
I think I have been using them for about 7 or 8 years now. Maybe a little longer. I forget. I tend not to think much about things that don't give me problems.
I know at my last job that I had working for someone else, we bought batteries from a local discounter for all the used cars on the lot. Quite often they wouldn't last through one freezing night. They were so bad that noone would even steal them. Advance auto sells optimas too. They are great with thier warranties I know. I do a lot of business with them and they've always treated me right.
I've never had an optima go bad though. I wish they made one for my riding mower!
I know at my last job that I had working for someone else, we bought batteries from a local discounter for all the used cars on the lot. Quite often they wouldn't last through one freezing night. They were so bad that noone would even steal them. Advance auto sells optimas too. They are great with thier warranties I know. I do a lot of business with them and they've always treated me right.
I've never had an optima go bad though. I wish they made one for my riding mower!
