Who makes a good battery?

Setheroo

Setheroo

^_^ got horespower?
Oct 16, 2006
285
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Tennessee
www.revogate.com
supra_supra said:
Nothing is wrong with optima's. The only problem with them is that there dry cell batteries which means you have to watch how you charge them. You can't slap any charger on it or it may ruin the battery. You need a certain charger and charge rate if I remember correctly..
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What you are talking about is those pulse chargers - and that my friend is just ways for people like Snap On to make money. The whole idea that a dry cell battery can't be charged normally is false. When the batteries first came out there were theories that they needed a different charger... so Snap On came out with that wonderful Pulse charger made "just for dry cell batteries." It was just a marketing ploy, lots of people went "!! :O were going to have to have one of those, because everyone is going dry cell!"

Dry cells are really quality batteries, and your everyday "maintenance free" are really good batteries too - but with any battery you have, longevity depends on use.
 
jdub

jdub

Official SM Expert: Motor Oil, Lubricants & Fil
SM Expert
Feb 10, 2006
10,730
1
38
Valley of the Sun
jetjock said:
Thanks Nick (jdub thanks you too ;)). I have so much stuff in my head sometimes I can't keep it all straight. Gettin' old I guess.
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I was wondering about that...did I respond on this thread? Is my CRS acting up again? LOL!

I use a Duralast Gold for the same reasons JJ likes them. The heat here in Phoenix kills batteries...that's with me keeping it charged, the cells full, and tested every 3 months. The Duralast Gold has a free 3 year replacement...when the cranking amps fall down to about half, I take it in to AutoZone and have it replaced.
 
spinningheadboy

spinningheadboy

Ich bin gegan alles
Apr 1, 2005
440
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idaho
Interstate battery ($96) in my supra. Never again will I put a schucks-kragen-checker battery in any of my cars. I think you get what pay for.

cwd
 
C

Caplax40

Grand Tourer
Feb 12, 2006
202
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Boise, ID
I forgot that weather plays a factor in battery life. Here in Boise it gets over 100 degrees many times in the summer and in the winter it's easily hitting low double digits. So there is a bit of a range to consider.
 
suprageezer

suprageezer

New Member
Aug 27, 2005
778
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Southern California
How stupid of me I forgot to define "Working fine" more than once, lemme try it again.
My Original Post
I prefer the Optima’s for two reasons, One since they don't outgas they don't corrode your battery terminals. The second is I had my first red top in my 68 Charger for two years, when I sold that I put in my 94 Dodge van where it's worked perfectly for five years, that’s seven years of use for $99.00. On top of that my wife has many times left the lights on overnight and drained the battery dead. My Supra has had it's red top for fives years now (ya its been dead many times also). Never in the past 35 years of vehicle ownership have I had a lead acid battery last close to that, even with a perfectly functioning system. Now next time I think I’m going to go with the yellow top since I've read they do have a little more juice for extra options.

I would kinda say working fine means, if my car starts up everyday and gets me to and from work, the lights work great, the stereo works great, holy smokes do ya need a certified study or is everyone on here that disagrees with someone elses stated opinion a liar?
 
bfr1992t

bfr1992t

The quiet one
Oct 29, 2005
272
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16
Ohio
upgradedsupra said:
Optima Red top FTW. I have had mine since 02. The car sat for almost a year and fired right up!

Duane
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Diehard Gold, put on a 2x6 block on the concrete garage floor. 2 years later it provided enough cranking to fill and pressurize the oil system and start the motor several times. :icon_razz

The problem I have is outgassing. I made Sears replace the battery and guess what - 5 months later (about 300 miles over maybe 15 drives) it was outgassing too. I'd like to get a completely sealed battery that fits properly, including the posts.
 
bigaaron

bigaaron

Supramania Contributor
Apr 12, 2005
4,692
1
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Pomona, CA
www.driftmotion.com
Red top or blue top Optima ftw, the yellow top is not worth the extra money imho.
I have had two yellow tops in the past and neither one lasted more then 2 years. If you kill a yellow top dead from leaving headlights or ignition on, it usually does not come back. Blue top is deep cycle but still has a high cca rating and a longer reserve capacity then red or yellow top.

p537133_1.jpg
 
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bluepearl

New Member
Jul 21, 2005
326
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pa.
jetjock said:
There are only 3 or 4 major battery makers in the entire USA. Interstate, Exide, Johnson Controls, the last one escapes me. Pretty much everything you can buy is made by them and re-badged. All will work as long as you take care of them, which most people don't. Get what you like but if I were you I'd stay away from Optima. The Diehard Gold (made by Johnson Controls iirc ) will do the job fine.

I use either those or AZ's Duralast, also made by JC. I typically get 6-8 years and change them when the reserve capacity has fallen to 50%. I also use one size smaller (a Group 74) than what came with the car because my Priority Start unit takes up some space. Never had a problem of any kind but if you live in a cold climate you should probably stick with the Group 78. No matter what you get if you want it to last I suggest you do some reading on the proper care of flooded cell L/A batteries.
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DEKA is probably the one you missed JJ. The reason I know is because I live close to the plant. As of yesterday they have made the Delco and motorcraft batteries, plus many other brand names.
 
bfr1992t

bfr1992t

The quiet one
Oct 29, 2005
272
0
16
Ohio
jetjock said:
Sure...as soon as you explain why you'd be storing batteries on a block. That has to be one of the oldest automotive myths around ;)
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Good, so someone here actually might know something. ;-)

I was being sarcastic. The blocks were kicked from under the car to the corner of the garage after the motor was pulled. So that was where someone stacked them up and set the battery on when we cleared space to push the car back in and pile up the rest of the three disassembled 7M's around it so the second mk3 would fit. There is truth in the story however - it did crank over many more times than I would have thought, and enough to start.

Anyways, my guess is heat alone (on the battery) or some modification has fucked the regulator so it's overcharging. The battery was very hot last time I checked it (can't remember the actual temp) but I'm not sure how hot the typical Die Hard would have to get to vent.

I can't remember who, but long ago someone had a theory that low pressure created from having the headlights up (at speed obviously) caused it.
 
jetjock

jetjock

creepy-ass cracka
Jul 11, 2005
9,439
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Redacted per Title 18 USC Section 798
Appears you know something too. Yeah, my comment was directed at overcharge. It's the only reason it'd gas. A valve regulated recombinant gas battery will just open it's pressure vents and do the same so you'll gain nothing there. A check of the charging system would seem to be in order.

Low pressure from the headlights? Lol. Whoever said that would feel right at home here ;)
 
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