Batterys

[davydawg]

Well its that time of year when i start to think about batterys. I was looking at some batterys, and saw a battery called the optima battery and it says that it will last twice as long as all other batterys. Well being from minnesota i always just bought the $40 battery and changed it every 2 years just to be safe. So does anyone have one of these or has heard anything good or bad about them??? or any battery for the matter.

[Hellbilly]

Not saw that one..The one im getting is the Duralast-Gold (1000CA / 900CCA)
3yr Free Replacment - 8yr Warranty
AutoZone $69.99

I run alot of Electronics

[mw2]

Also saw that battery. Was interested but the price was around three times the other batteries. Bought the regular battery. The current issue of Consumer's Report (November 2004) has a report on auto batteries if you're interested.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by davydawg

Well its that time of year when i start to think about batterys. I was looking at some batterys, and saw a battery called the optima battery and it says that it will last twice as long as all other batterys. Well being from minnesota i always just bought the $40 battery and changed it every 2 years just to be safe. So does anyone have one of these or has heard anything good or bad about them??? or any battery for the matter.

I own a Optima Redtop and it is awesome.

It get to be -40f and it still started my truck with no problem.

A definite must have if you are going to install a stereo in your truck.

[LION8]

Can anyone tell me what the difference between the optima and the orbital batterys

thanks

[DINO55]

THIS SHOULD HELP YA...........


Orbital Battery info:
The toughest. The best. Orbital Grid Technology takes batteries to a whole new level. By using tightly wound cylindrical cells, we've created a virtually indestructible starting battery that retains its capacity, is maintenance free, and will never leak acid. The exceptionally durable and reliable Exide Orbital is the perfect choice for your most demanding vehicles. Stats are 850 Cranking Amps / 690 Cold Cranking Amps / 80 Reserve Capacity. Dimensions are measured at 9" x 7" x 8 1/8".



Optima Battery info:
1. What does the SPIRALCELL® design do?The unique design of the SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY. provides many features not available in ordinary batteries. The following is a summary

SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES:
More plate surface, closer plate spacing, ability to use high purity lead. RESULTING IN: Low internal resistance. This low resistance gives you more power in a smaller box, ability to recharge much faster, higher, cleaner voltage characteristics during discharge


Immobilized plates (locked in place). RESULTING IN: Improved vibration resistance, no shedding of active paste material, no gradual loss of power and capacity as the battery ages. This gives you a battery that lasts longer and performs better throughout its life.
2. Does OPTIMA® ever gas?When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stay below 15 volts.
3. Does the OPTIMA Deep Cycle have a "memory"?Lead-Acid batteries do not suffer from memory effect. Many people think they have a memory because they experience a reduction in capacity or run-time as the battery ages. The active paste material in a lead-acid battery is a consumable item, similar to tread on a tire. Every time you cycle the battery some of the paste is used up. As the battery ages, less of the active paste is available to charge and discharge, resulting in a reduced operating time. This situation can be more apparent in the case where a high power or SLI battery is used in a deep cycle application. The plates of an SLI batter y are designed for high current, short duration discharges. Plates in deep cycle batteries are better suited to repetitive deep discharge applications.
4. Why the low rate of self-discharge?Mostly this is due to the purity of the lead in the OPTIMA plates. Some of the alloys in conventional batteries are more prone to electron transfer resulting in self discharge than the what is used in the OPTIMA.
5. Why is OPTIMA not perishable like other batteries? Why is OPTIMA not perishable like other batteries?
(See Question 4.)
6. Can you trickle charge an OPTIMA? Solar card charger?Yes, you can use any charger on an OPTIMA as long as the voltage is regulated properly. If your charger will remain on indefinitely the voltage should be at 13.8 volts maximum with a one amp maximum current.
7. Will my high-output alternator damage the OPTIMA?No, as long as the voltage is properly regulated. Because the OPTIMA has a very low internal resistance it will accept high current more efficiently than conventional batteries.
8. Will it discharge the battery if leave it sitting on concrete?No, today's batteries utilized polypropylene plastic for the case material. They will not be effected. When possible, always store a battery in a cool dry location.
9. Can I hook an OPTIMA up in parallel with my other battery? No, when hooking batteries together in parallel they should be of identical make, model, and of similar age.
10. Can I use an isolator with an OPTIMA? Yes, most any type of battery separator or solenoid can be used with an OPTIMA. The important thing to remember is that the charging voltage must be within the limits suggested by OPTIMA Batteries. If you are using an OPTIMA and a conventional battery, your system must charge each battery independently. Remember, some isolators cause a voltage drop, make sure your charging voltage AT THE BATTERY is sufficient. Continued undercharging of a battery will lead to premature failure and a drop in capacity.
11. Why does the OPTIMA last longer?The main reasons the OPTIMA battery has a longer life are:

No shedding of active paste material. The SPIRALCELL design immobilizes the plates preventing the active past from working loose, which can cause plate to plate shorting

High purity lead-tin grid. Grid material in OPTIMA batteries is more resistant to grid degradation. A type of internal corrosion that affects the plates inside a battery as it ages

Sealed design prevents loss of water which can lead to plate dry out and failure.

12. What is the difference between your deep cycle and starter battery? The OPTIMA deep cycle battery utilizes a different chemistry for the active paste material on the plates, and a slightly stronger acid. This chemistry changes allows for a much longer life in cycling applications, with only a slight reduction in power.
13. What does deep cycle mean? Deep cycle means using the battery in an application that will typically discharge 60% to 70% or more of the batter y capacity. An automotive battery is an SLI (starting, lighting, ignition) battery. It's plates are designed to deliver maximum power for a short duration. Starting a car typically discharges an SLI battery only 1% to 3%. When an SLI battery is used in a deep cycle application, or in a vehicle with heavy accessory loads, the battery life will be shortened proportionally to how deeply it is cycled on a regular basis.
14. When should I consider a deep cycle? Any time you need the battery to supply all the operating power for a vehicle or other device. Additionally, deep cycle batteries should be used in vehicles that have heavy accessory loads where the alternator cannot maintain the battery in a fully charged condition.
15. What is a Gel Cell Battery? A gel battery design is typically a modification of the standard lead acid automotive or marine battery. A gelling agent is added to the electrolyte to reduce movement inside the battery case. Many gel batteries also use one way valves in place of open vents, this helps the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water in the battery, reducing gassing.
16. How does a Gel Cell compare to your deep cycle? Most gel batteries have a much higher internal resistance, meaning they will not be able to deliver and receive current as efficiently. This is especially apparent at higher amperage levels. For example, most gel batteries will not work successfully in engine starting applications.
17. When should I use a Deep Cycle OPTIMA as a Starting battery? "Deep Cycle" batteries are designed for applications that require deep, repetitive amperage drain, like trolling motors, golf carts, and electric wheelchairs, or RV house power sources. However, there are other applications, called "Heavy Cycling" or "High Cycling", when a Deep Cycle OPTIMA can successfully replace a starting battery to provide longer life and better performance.
In heavy cycling or high cycling applications, a vehicle will pull unusually high amperage levels from the starting battery due to extra accessories or limited alternator capacity. Public safety professionals, such as police, fire, and ambulance fleet managers often find that traditional starting batteries cannot provide adequate life and performance due to heavy cycling. This is an excellent opportunity to provide your customer with longer life and better performance by using an OPTIMA Deep Cycle battery in this type of application.

In any vehicle or equipment that will use the battery only for Starting, Lighting, & Ignition requirements and has a properly working alternator, the OPTIMA Red Top Starting Battery will perform extremely well, often providing up to two to three times longer life than conventional batteries. If the vehicle has few or no after-market accessories and uses a stock or upgraded alternator, the OPTIMA Red Top Starting Battery is the appropriate choice.

Remember, it is possible for the customer to have a completely discharged Yellow Top OPTIMA that will not start their engine; the advantages of the Yellow Top are that it can accept a rapid recharge and it will recover from discharge many more times.

To provide the customer the best OPTIMA solution, it is, necessary to consider both the application and the charging system before recommending the correct OPTIMA. For example, if your customer has a Ford Expedition with an after-market alarm system, which OPTIMA would you recommend? If the customer drives the car every day, the Red Top would be the correct choice, since the amperage drain will be nominal and the battery would be recharged on a daily basis. However, if the customer stores the vehicle for a long period of time with the alarm system engaged, you should recommend the OPTIMA Yellow Top, since the amperage drain over several weeks would damage a Red Top and reduce its life.

[jhong1226]

Spiral cell technology is what makes optima battery stand out. Imagine your regular battery plates extended to a longer plates and still be the same size, optima does this by coiling ( this why it has those cylindrical form on it ) the plates thus having longer plates than regular battery but still be of the same size.

[LION8]

thanks for the info dino55

[RJ MALIBU]

I just replaced my battery with a red top optima and it is by far one of the best investments you can make , especially if your in cold climates or have a high output stereo system, it has a ridiculous amount of starting power and headlights don't dim with stereo crankin

[mike1224]

cool thread. im going to be installing a much bigger AMP in the next week, (going from 600 Watts to 2400 Watts) and looking at the info and their site, i'll be getting a yellow top soon.

[BlazerBoyLT98]

I have the duralast that was mentioned and it is great for the money as the Optima is double. Basically I go to Northern Maine which can hit -20 in the winter. The new battery along with Mobil1 0W-30 and my truck started faster, warmed up faster, and ran smoother then my father in laws brand new Mercury Montego. And I have 142K miles as opposed to his under 10K

[rlith]

Originally Posted by mike1224

cool thread. im going to be installing a much bigger AMP in the next week, (going from 600 Watts to 2400 Watts) and looking at the info and their site, i'll be getting a yellow top soon.

Don't forget to upgrade the big 3 as well..