Springin' for a Battery

[jdub]

I've come to the point where I've had it with battery in the Cj. It looks like there has been some spilling in the battery tray area. The positive post seems to have some seeping acid going on. honestly I'm suprised that it's still going. After 2 days of sitting it's drained.

Ok, This is what I'm looking for in a battery:
-Good CCA for a chev 350 carburated.(for those cold a.m.'s)
-Enough power to withstand powering the electric fan after motor is shut off.
-Don't like the messy wet batteries much. My optima's are nice in my scrambler.

What brands, styles, and prefrences anyone has run and loves.

Thanx

 

[193kyle]

I just picked up an Orbital from Checkers a few days ago for my Yota. They are supposed to be pretty comparable to Optima's but alot cheaper. Can't say how they do in the long run but at least my truck starts now

 

[mbryson]

I just picked up an Orbital from Checkers a few days ago for my Yota. They are supposed to be pretty comparable to Optima's but alot cheaper. Can't say how they do in the long run but at least my truck starts now

I know of at least 4-5 of those that have given up the ghost after a couple of years. I had one and have an Optima now.

 

[193kyle]

Well hopefully mine lasts, if not oh well, I got a hell of a deal on it anyway.

 

[jdub]

I like the optimas. I had a dead one in my rig for I dont know how long. My piggy back winch batt. Was taking over with no issues. not too stoked on the price.

 

[Greg]

I know of at least 4-5 of those that have given up the ghost after a couple of years. I had one and have an Optima now.

Add one more to that list... :-\ I had a nearly new Orbital, worked fine for a few months, let it sit for a few more months & one day it was totally dead. Good thing was the warranty, I got another under warranty of the old one.

 

[mbryson]

Well hopefully mine lasts, if not oh well, I got a hell of a deal on it anyway.

Mine had a 3 year replacement warranty. It got a little sketchy about 30 months or so and totally failed at about 35 months. Keep an eye on it. Exide was pretty good about replacing it until we figured out it was from Sams Club. Sams Club had their own warranty and took pretty good care of me.

 

[jdub]

Talking to another friend about this subj. I think I'm decided on an Optima. But just curious about other brands that I may have overlooked... ProComp for example. Or is Optima the only way to go?

 

[Meat_]

Optima.

 

[Herzog]

Another vote for Optima. Yellow tops are the best, IMO.

I've accidently ran mine dead a few times. Charged it back up and it holds just like it was new, every time. I'm now going on 5 years with this same battery.

 

[Rot Box]

Optima hands down. I've ran them since I got my Subaru GL (pretty much the sweetest 4wd ever built :greg: ) when I was 16, and have been more than impressed. The Orbital is supposed to be the next best thing, but from everything I've seen they go dead way to fast, my brothers lasted about 3 months :sick:

P.S. Look at the CCA on the Yellow tops It will be more than enough for your SB. Just remember when it comes to batteries you really get what you pay for.

 

[jdub]

Herzog and Rot Box, that was actually what I wanted to ask. The Yellow ones have the deep cycle feature. I guess I don't know what is the real difference between the two. Will a yellow run a winch better?

 

[Herzog]

Herzog and Rot Box, that was actually what I wanted to ask. The Yellow ones have the deep cycle feature. I guess I don't know what is the real difference between the two. Will a yellow run a winch better?

The only experience I have is between a regular old wal-mart batteries and my Yellow top. I can tell a night and day difference in accessory power for sure, including winch use. I have no experience with the red top though.

Nice thing about the yellow top is that it still packs a good cold crank.

 

[Caleb]

Yep, another vote for Optima. I've had four orbitals nad of the four three have gone bad and I wouldn't be entirely surprised if the last one gives up the ghost (if it hasn;t already)...it went with my buggy when I sold it. I've had two optimas (both red tops) and they both lasted the entire time I had them, one of them sat on a shelf for a LONG time while I was building my Jeep, then we threw it in my brother's chrokee when we sold it....

 

[lewis]

I had a red top optima in high school and I dropped it and it split in half and they wouldn't warranty it so I put it back in and used it for 3 more years. I was talking to a guy that sells them today and after helping him push his race car in the shop said he could get them as many as I wanted for around $120.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Another fan of Optimas here... I've had a red & yellow top in my Cruiser for 5 years now. The Red Top just started showing signs of failure (slow starts on cold mornings) so I swapped it for a new one... my yellow top has put up with alot of winching, running my fridge and even a bit of welding, still pushing strong.

As for redtop versus yellow top, if I only had a single battery.. then I might consider just a yellowtop, but I would most likely run a blue at that point or just a red?? Tradeoffs in all directions there.

I run the 34/78 sizes... so Red vs. Yellow. Red gets me 50 for CCA's, 130 more CA's, but 10 mins less reserve capacity (important for accessorries in use when the vehicle is NOT running) & 5 minutes less 20% reserve capacity (once again a fridge, winch, lights, nav. computer type issue), thus where the yellowtop shines in the "draw" catagories. Deep cycles have a much better "rebound" when discharged all the way (like those accessories I keep mentioning), so if you are not likely to have an issue with full battery drain, then I would stick with the benefits of the redtop.

 

[jdub]

Thaaaaaank You! That's what I was looking for. I think with the repeated climbs up to the house. It gets the engine hot, thus running the electric fan after shut off. I think that's taken a bit of a toll on the generic wet cell. Summer days that thing is runnin non stop to keep it cool. Plus I'm looking into the future. Want to hook a winch up. Time to upgrade!

 

[waynehartwig]

Another vote for the Optima yellow top.

I believe the ProComp's are made by Exide, anyone know for sure?

 

[jdub]

Another vote for the Optima yellow top.

I believe the ProComp's are made by Exide, anyone know for sure?

You have access to these Optimas at all? Want to support the local biz.

 

[mbryson]

You have access to these Optimas at all? Want to support the local biz.

Call Russ @ Amos Rents