Best Battery...., What is best for our cars? |
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Best Battery...., What is best for our cars? |
BuddyV |
Jan 31 2018, 12:39 AM
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#1
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Robert Group: Members Posts: 553 Joined: 8-April 05 From: Santa Rosa, CA Member No.: 3,898 Region Association: Northern California |
The last battery I bought was an Optima...... that was about 7 years ago. What do you all think of the Optima..... and is there anything better?
Pros and Cons? New technology? Better value? I recall the Optima was much more expensive than other batteries. Cheers! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) |
falcor75 |
Jan 31 2018, 03:57 AM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,579 Joined: 22-November 12 From: Sweden Member No.: 15,176 Region Association: Scandinavia |
"Best" depends entirely on what is important to you, cost, weight? originality, sub zero coldstart performance etc...
I run an Odessey PC680 and it works fine for me, but I only drive my car in the summer half of the year and have a high torque starter so my engine starts pretty quickly. |
mihai914 |
Jan 31 2018, 06:24 AM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 800 Joined: 2-March 05 From: Montreal, QC Member No.: 3,697 Region Association: None |
If you drive in the rain on occasion a AGM battery is good to prevent damage to the hell hole.
Optima is one kind and there are many other brands out there now. They are more expensive than your classic lead-acid as you noticed. By the way allot of batteries are made by a handful of manufacturers only. I found that batteries made by Johnson Controls group are good and last a while. |
dcheek |
Jan 31 2018, 06:32 AM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 691 Joined: 30-May 06 From: Westfield, New Jersey Member No.: 6,103 |
I use Interstate conventional batteries exclusively. I get 9+ years out of them or more. They key is to NEVER letting them go dead and, even though they are "maintenance free", check and top off with distilled water.
Dave |
thelogo |
Jan 31 2018, 08:27 AM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,510 Joined: 6-April 10 Member No.: 11,572 Region Association: None |
If your at all planning on leaving the car parked for long periods of time unattended then optima is the best
If you drive it often , keep a eye on the bat , Trickle it etc. I think a sealed die hard from kmart or sears Is the best and least expensive (less then a 100$) I used the later . But this should not even have to be said Do not leave a 914 parked for a decade with any lead acid bat In there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) |
johnhora |
Jan 31 2018, 10:39 AM
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#6
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 866 Joined: 7-January 03 From: Derby City KY Member No.: 107 Region Association: None |
Odyssey Battery (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) ...hands down the best battery I have ever used.
Last one a PC1200 lasted 13 years...it was purchased in 2004 just pulled the invoice. used it on two different 911 and 914 race and street cars. Never trickel charged it just sat in cars or on shop shelf. Started 6 and 4 cyl high compression engines everytime. Still have a PC680 on the shelf that was used on 914 track cars only and it still holds a charge and I don't even know how old it is.... They can sit for months and still start a car or anything else The new one a PC1200 is in the 914-6...I'll need a paint job before this one wears out. They are more expensive that the flaps battery but in the long run not so much. $160 for 13 years...not too bad.... If you drive it every day...buy cheap.....if you let it sit buy the Odyssey. And they DON"T LEAK ACID! My 2c and a satisfied customer for their product. https://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey-pc120...3xoCm7sQAvD_BwE |
McMark |
Jan 31 2018, 12:33 PM
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#7
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914 Freak! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 20,179 Joined: 13-March 03 From: Grand Rapids, MI Member No.: 419 Region Association: None |
Optima 34R (P/N: N9934RRED) is what used to be the best, but they changed the body plastic and it doesn't fit the tray without cutting the plastic (I've done it.) But the Optima N9935RED is the one I use now.
I also really like the Odyssey and have them in all my non-914 cars. I've installed a few in 914s, but fabricating a hold down clamp has pushed me away from this route. It's not hard, but I'm super picky and haven't come up with a properly affordable, effective, and elegant solution. |
Dave_Darling |
Jan 31 2018, 12:52 PM
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#8
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914 Idiot Group: Members Posts: 14,981 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Silicon Valley / Kailua-Kona Member No.: 121 Region Association: Northern California |
What about the hold-down you fabricated for me? It looked fairly universal (or at least adaptable) and not that pricey...
--DD |
burton73 |
Jan 31 2018, 01:08 PM
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#9
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burton73 Group: Members Posts: 3,508 Joined: 2-January 07 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 7,414 Region Association: Southern California |
I put a replacement Optima red top in my 76 car and had to cut the tab shown. Any saw will do. Then it fit just like the last one did. I went to the battery distributor yesterday to get a replacement for the battery for my Carrera that took a dump in 8 mounts (not a Optima but Exide) and told them that there where complaints on the last version of the Optima battery. He told me they moved the MFG to Monetary Mexico and they had bad quality control for a while. He said something on humidly and problems but said now the batteries where now tip top.
I always take pictures of all I do. Bob B |
Mueller |
Jan 31 2018, 01:17 PM
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#10
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914 Freak! Group: Members Posts: 17,146 Joined: 4-January 03 From: Antioch, CA Member No.: 87 Region Association: None |
I just bought a Duracell Platinum AGM battery, had a few better reviews over Optimas which I've had fail in the past.
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BuddyV |
Jan 31 2018, 01:35 PM
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#11
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Robert Group: Members Posts: 553 Joined: 8-April 05 From: Santa Rosa, CA Member No.: 3,898 Region Association: Northern California |
Ummm...... prices seem higher than I remember.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Thank you all for the info. Need to consult my budget & expectations. |
gothspeed |
Jan 31 2018, 01:51 PM
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#12
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,539 Joined: 3-February 09 From: SoCal Member No.: 10,019 Region Association: None |
I just bought a Duracell Platinum AGM battery, had a few better reviews over Optimas which I've had fail in the past. Looked that battery up and it appears to be just what I need. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) |
Front yard mechanic |
Jan 31 2018, 02:53 PM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,155 Joined: 23-July 15 From: New Mexico Member No.: 18,984 Region Association: None |
I use Optima because it fits in all my cars and trucks. Top post & side post with a good handle (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bandit.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bandit.gif) and you can run with two in the dark!
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Drums66 |
Jan 31 2018, 03:18 PM
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#14
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914 Rudiments Group: Members Posts: 5,321 Joined: 15-January 03 From: Coronado,Cali Member No.: 151 Region Association: Southwest Region |
I use Interstate conventional batteries exclusively. I get 9+ years out of them or more. They key is to NEVER letting them go dead and, even though they are "maintenance free", check and top off with distilled water. Dave ......I use them also (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif) |
Rand |
Jan 31 2018, 05:47 PM
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#15
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Cross Member Group: Members Posts: 7,409 Joined: 8-February 05 From: OR Member No.: 3,573 Region Association: None |
Why anyone would still use an old school lead acid design under an engine grill that lets moisture on the battery these days is beyond me. I run Odyssey PC 680. Go sealed and never look back.
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rgalla9146 |
Jan 31 2018, 06:52 PM
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#16
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,545 Joined: 23-November 05 From: Paramus NJ Member No.: 5,176 Region Association: None |
Why anyone would still use an old school lead acid design under an engine grill that lets moisture on the battery these days is beyond me. I run Odyssey PC 680. Go sealed and never look back. I just looked at the PC 680. It doesn't appear to have conventional posts. How have you attached the cables ? |
wndsrfr |
Jan 31 2018, 07:15 PM
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#17
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,428 Joined: 30-April 09 From: Rescue, Virginia Member No.: 10,318 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Why anyone would still use an old school lead acid design under an engine grill that lets moisture on the battery these days is beyond me. I run Odyssey PC 680. Go sealed and never look back. I just looked at the PC 680. It doesn't appear to have conventional posts. How have you attached the cables ? The cables are attached with the SAE terminals that they sell for about $12--nice brass terminals that bolt down on top of the battery. Consider the PC925 which has about double the reserve power if you're not fanatical about weight. Another consideration is mounting...I've mounted the PC680 laying flat so the terminals are on the side--have to modify the hold down "J" bolts but no big deal. The PC925 mounts upright, more conventional but still needs shorter "J" bolts for the hold down (I just sawed off & bent the end of a generic FLAPS set). Note there's a PC925L with the terminals reversed--don't think you want that unless you've modified the cables. Battery Mart is a great supplier, & free shipping is a killer deal. |
Rand |
Jan 31 2018, 07:58 PM
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#18
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Cross Member Group: Members Posts: 7,409 Joined: 8-February 05 From: OR Member No.: 3,573 Region Association: None |
John's answer was perfect.
This one of mine isn't pretty yet (working on that next). But she sure works well. |
JamesM |
Feb 1 2018, 08:01 PM
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#19
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,891 Joined: 6-April 06 From: Kearns, UT Member No.: 5,834 Region Association: Intermountain Region |
Optima 34R (P/N: N9934RRED) is what used to be the best, but they changed the body plastic and it doesn't fit the tray without cutting the plastic (I've done it.) But the Optima N9935RED is the one I use now. I also really like the Odyssey and have them in all my non-914 cars. I've installed a few in 914s, but fabricating a hold down clamp has pushed me away from this route. It's not hard, but I'm super picky and haven't come up with a properly affordable, effective, and elegant solution. I used to love Optimas. 15 or so years ago they were great, the first one I had lasted me 10 years. At some point they moved their manufacturing to Mexico and the quality went to total crap. I had 2 of them produced after the manufacturing move and they were both garbage after the 2nd year. Even Costco stopped selling them here because of the insane return rates they were seeing. After the multiple Optima failures I too went to the Odysseys using the Rennline mounts. I have both a 925 and a 680, either one works great in a 914. Higher initial cost if you need to buy a mount but better in every way than the Optimas. |
Krieger |
Feb 1 2018, 08:51 PM
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#20
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,704 Joined: 24-May 04 From: Santa Rosa CA Member No.: 2,104 Region Association: None |
Why anyone would still use an old school lead acid design under an engine grill that lets moisture on the battery these days is beyond me. I run Odyssey PC 680. Go sealed and never look back. I just looked at the PC 680. It doesn't appear to have conventional posts. How have you attached the cables ? You can buy conventional posts to add to the battery. Amazon has them for around $20 |
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