Still have oringinal AC Delco batteries in the Max... What I'm seeing is a much slower recovery of Volts after start .... This is happening even on warm starts,Yikes !!!


I think it's time for a change ....


I did a quick search on the Optima battery and I get some links to Interstate batteries ....


Are they made by the same company ??





Mac

Yes. I don't know if Interstate bought them (most likely) or if they have always been the same company, but they have been one and the same for some time now.


Excellent batteries as are Odyssey/Hawker and Lifeline.

theres a man thats got a ebay store that sells yellow tops real cheap with a 2 to 4 week manufacturing date..

Might want to comparison shop with this guy as well:


http://www.tna-sports.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=browse&id=26406&pageid=30

Out west here, Costco has the red tops for $99 ea.

The red tops are almost always under $100. It`s the yellow tops that are very high priced, some times upwards of $179. And the Blue top aren`t cheap either.


Mackin; My next set of batteries will be the gel filled SpiralCell.


I just did a search and seen that they have an orange top battery now.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif but didn`t see the yellow top. Are they changing colors?

Thanks for the info ... I'm gonna go look at Costcos,I can't recall I seen them there although ...


I don't care for the dual connections look that's why I'm leaning Interstate .... I believe those are spacific ...


I'm gonna look see nonetheless ....





Mac

I have used interstates for years and you can't go wrong. They last a long time and are very field durable. They are my standard replacement for any application (farm, fleet, personal, etc.).


Have fun!

I use interstate in all of my plow trucks i have some that i bought in 99 and still going strong.

Would think twice about putting OPTIMA's in. They are very costly and don't last any longer than a top quality wet cell like Interstate or others that are a little less costly.

Batterys in late model vehichles should not be kept over 3 years no matter what. In my industry ( transmissions in case you are new) we have had more shift problems because of low voltage. The vehichles start fine every time and makes you think batterys are ok. Not always. We like to see 12.65 volts ( taken with DVOM, engine off). 11.5 volts will start the vehichle everytime but something will not work up to par. Picture this: your charging system is putting out about 13.8 volts, hot night in summer, headlights on, air on, stereo on, normal electronics that run the engine on. Charging system falls down a bit cause it can't keep up; now where does it steal some juice? The battery. How many times can the battery take this? Some more than others. I have used Optimas and love them. They crank faster, come back quicker. After 2 years who cares, you are on borrowed time no matter whos battery you have. I see this stuff every day.


mike

Optimas in my delivery trucks,boat and in trucks past.I've never had a failure and after letting the boat sit all winter off the charger it still starts strong in the spring.Dad has been running them for years and never a problem.The low resistance allows extremely fast charging and its an all position no maintenance battery.Personally I don't give a s**t about cost if it keeps me from getting stranded or having to wait for help from others.I like being self sufficient.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


Blake

Which are the best for use in our trucks, the deep-cycle yellow tops, or the standard duty reds?








Kevinhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Reds are good for starting and other "short burst" type of applications. They charge (and run down) quickly. They do not like to be run down to 50% or below (they are not deep cycle). Basically they are good for starting your truck and not much else.


Yellows and Blues are deep cycle batteries that can withstand being run down well below 50% and recharged many times. They are good for severe duty power applications and last much longer than Reds in deep cycle applications.


Basically if you rely on your batteries for anything more than starting your truck (stereo, snow plow, power inverter, camper, etc) you want the Yellows (or Blues which are basically the same).

That makes sense. Thanks Joe!








Kevinhttp://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big%20Smile.gif

yellow was if i am not mistaken 145 each with free shipping and new batteries... had to return mine to autozone with a 14 month old manufactoring date

I bought my Yellow top's at Batteries Plus for 315.oo out the door. My "NEW" OEM batteries puked out 14 months old ....stranded in my driveway until the wife came home. Although it was only 35-40 minutes, it felt like all day. I doubt I will ever have "stock" batteries again... in anything.


I've have a couple of those fancy Toyota's (LS 400's) in the past. Both of them had Innerstate batteries and both cars needed replacements after 2 years! However, everything that I have placed an Optima in seems flawless. Heck, even the old Bobcat had a red top in it for 6 years before we gave it to an employee. Funny thing is that 2 years later it's still running with that same frick'n battery! Go figure?


Mac, the "Duley" posts may not look nice but I think they are usefull. I like the fact that you can run your heavy stereo suff, winch stuff, CB junk or just plain jumper cables to the heavy posts.


I like the OPTIMA Yellow Top.......... my #1 pick.


Burner---------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

True, the side terminals suck for all things mentioned ....





Mac

Optimas rule just buy em!

.... just thought I'd add this. I just "radioed" the guy that got the Bobcat .... and get this.... the battery is GONE! I guess after 8 years of pounding "someone" liked it more than he did. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif I thought it funny that someone would steal an eight year old battery! ...... I wonder where it is?


Burner------------> http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif