Battery Questions (problems), It's Dead Options

[smooth_eddy]

My Optima 34R battery only lasted for 5 1/2 years. I only drive about 1000 miles a year, which may be part of my problems? Anyway, last month I bought a Battery Tender Jr. which will charge the battery, but within one day, the battery looses it's charge. I check battery voltage with a Fluke meter and a it reads 12.34 volts at rest, and 13 volts at 1100 RPM. So I assume this is a good charging voltage?

I have been researching batteries online and have seen many poor reviews for the Optima batteries. Is there a better battery for 914's? Where is the best place to buy a new battery?

Thanks.....

[Tom_T]

Battery life isn't so much dependent upon miles driven, as type of use & age ..... they all age, which is why the mfgrs. warranty them for a certain number of months. Some folks go with the deep cycle or marine batteries when their car sits long between uses, as yours sounds like you do, because they stand up better to the intermittent use..

If that Optima were warrantied for 60-66 mos., then you got what you paid for & you'll have to replace them every so often in time (not miles). If the warranty was for a longer time, take it back & get a prorated discount on a new one.

I've used Interstates in my other cars for years with good luck, & the last one in the 914 before she went on stilts in 85 - all with good luck over the warranty period. They sell some in 75 mo. warranty - but just had one in my kids' Honda go after 15 (partly due to a failing Alt.) which they replaced at no cost (their warranty is free replacement in the first 18 mos, then prorated out to 75). I also had one from 2001 in our 88 Westy last up to last year (8+ years). It just varies.

That said, I'll go with an Optima or other non-liquid-type battery in my 914 after my resto, so as to avoid the risk of battery acid damage in the hell hole.

Optima's are a gel cell (i.e.: not a traditional water in the cells lead-acid), whereas the Interstates are standard water cell type.

I don't know about the Odyssy discussed above, as it says dry cell - which may be better yet, if not too big for the battery tray & limited space in a 914.