PulsarDriver

If so, what do you have? I was thinking I'd like a good, long-lasting battery this time around (instead of the generic junk I usually get) so I'd like to try out an Optima Red Top, but their site's catalog seems a bit messed up. Apparently there isn't a car on earth that can use an Optima Battery lol

What part#/whatever specs I need to find the right one is it?

Oh yeah, I'd also like to support a local company by buying Optima

blacks92seAuto

Does a battery make any difference in performance at all? I personally would rather just get a cheapo, I got a cheapo in there right now with some Hella 550 fog lights wired to the battery, and a 1500watt amp along with my stereo speakers....I have those running, and my headlights, and in the winter its all running with the defrost, rear window defrost, wipers. I never have a problem with my battery, even with all that crap running. Those optima's can be really expensive can't they?

PulsarDriver

Its not about performance. Its about not being stranded at 3 am in a Wisconsin parking lot in the middle of January :| This has happened to me before.

In any case, the Optima 35 looks like the battery for me. The size is appropriate.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

34R (formerly orange top).

every car in the family runs an optima regardless if it's rocking a huge stereo or not.
longest running one has been on the car for 8+ years and starts every morning w/o a problem. find me a regular car battery that can run that long w/o replacement.

they go for about $100-$130...black92seauto..is that "really" expensive? or do you rather pay $100+ for a tow/jump when your battery is dead?

PulsarDriver

Ah, so you need the one with the reversed posts then?

I was under the hood tracing wires today, but I neglected to take note of my battery *embarassed*

Wiking

They do test/compare the batteries for cold output amps, how much will they take in as cold.

Here local research center found out that cheapest Korean were best... or are the Korean salesmen just best in bribery? Anyway I found that one to be super, for five yrs on my 2gen.

Cheapest here is 24$, just replaced the ten year old to Varta 60Ah, 46$. I will not buy the real expensive, cause I always forget som devices and spoil it anyway... thatswhy wiking horns are long.

From summer to freezing point, battery lose haf of its power. The key is to warm battery (if u have synthetic oli)

Btw. If no start, insert (dunno how...) kettle with boiling water beside battery. One hour later youll get speedin... Anyway: Temp rise from -20 to plus ten F will boost batt power 30%. I keep with me a miniature 1" gas torch that can run half an hour, that extra energy spent under the hood, spent ! wisely, will get u car running after the wait.

Truck drivers trick is to leave one small ligth on overnight. That keeps battery warm enough.

I rigged my ol peugeot diesel with 100$ heaters, starts at -40 like summer. No blk smoke or stutter. But nobody else is not interested in such a system - in this socialist country only fanatics or sosdem party friends start their own company...

aw89maxSE

iTrader: (3)

I run on a optima red top. I switched about 2 or 3 months ago after the battery dying constantly. It also helps out the power that goes to the two 12's in the back

blacks92seAuto

The battery I got cost like $60 and its at least 6 years old. The key to not having to worry about tow/jump...
#1 have jumper cables in your trunk (I jump peoples cars for FREE) im sure you can find someone to do the same
#2 Make sure you battery post are clean and have a good connection.( I use a wire brush and clean the **** out of each post and wire connecting to it.
#3 Use dielectrical grease to prevent corrosion on the battery terminals, Also those red/green donuts help out too.
#4 Make sure your car is in good running condition. ( Go to Schucks and have them check your Alternator, Starter, and...BATTERY FOR FREE!!!! I do all my maintenance myself and At least once a week im under the hood checking oil levels, hoses, wire connections.
I'd like to think that because I take such good care of my car I don't need to worry about something like a dead battery.
Personally I think its piece of mind on the battery. Granted some are better than others and can last longer than others. But if you don't maintain an Optima or other expensive battery, then you will have the same problems of a cheap battery.

tobe2be

iTrader: (1)

Your absolutely right about maitanence. But honestly i dont think that with any cheapo battery you will be able to leave your lights on during a flick and come out and your car will still start or leave an interior light on for about 2 hours and still crank with no hesitation whats so every. on all my family's cars there is a red top under the hood. they are a tad expensive but i think its worth the security

edit
red tops are very low maintence. dry cell battery

GRNMAXDMON

iTrader: (1)

same here but i use the yellow top and that cost me $170 brand new. had it for 3 years now and no problems whatsoever.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

so i assume you're not aware of the optima sealed battery case? there's virtually ZERO mainteance on the optima. you can wipe down the case to keep dust off it...that's about it. no leaking acid, no felt washers, no white powder on the terminals..and i believe it has a pretty high CCA/reserve rating. you can even mount the battery upside down w/o leaking. try that with your regular lead acid battery.

Tom

Costco has Optimas in stock around here.

Here in Washington, my lights are on just about all the time from fall to Spring due to rain and the shorter daylight being farther North in the winter season

I personally used Sears DieHard Golds for my cars. I installed the one in my Maxima back in April 1998. I've had not one problem and it will be 7 years in about 3 months and it performs great.

Aside from the good quality, the peace of mind for me was that there's usually always a Sears not too far away no matter where you go in case I had problems.