Hate to do this but I need a battery Options

[mb911]

I am not real excited to spend 300 for a new optima red top. What other options do I have and does it need to be AGM?

[ConeDodger]

I am not real excited to spend 300 for a new optima red top. What other options do I have and does it need to be AGM?

I gave up on the AGM’s. Too finicky. I just use a regular battery on a 1amp trickle between drives. Going on four years. Starts strong…

[914Sixer]

Battery is a Group 42, however size does NOT appear on some charts. There is also some other batteries that are close in size

[mlindner]

Ben, I'd stick to Optima. Had in many cars and never had to replace. Hard driving, no driving, long storage, in the 914 haven't even had to charge. Best, Mark

[PlaysWithCars]

I have to give a plug for Odessey battery. I'm running the diminutive 625 on my 2.4l without problem.

[technicalninja]

I've had crappy luck with Optimas...

Even recently!

I've seen 10+ that didn't make it over 3...

Others, including Clay Perrine have had stellar results. Had I seen results like they have I'd be a staunch supporter.

I have a 2-year-old popped yellow top that Interstate will not warranty as it went through Autozone/Orielly's, someone I didn't know bought it, and without their telephone# I'm screwed.

I WOULD NOT use a lead acid battery in the stock location.

I'd not use LA in an enclosed location (like the frunk).

I would use a normal looking AGM in the stock location.

They are a bit cheaper than the Optimas, 250 is really common.

Now, if the car NEVER got wet a lead acid might be applicable. They are closing on 200 now...

[FlacaProductions]

A couple of entries in my BATTERY file:

Eric shea says; optima 35 fits and works.

Personally - i think 96R looks right to me

From 2023:
Duracell AGM Automotive Battery, Group Size 47 (H5)
By Duracell | Item # 136036 | Model # 47 / H5

From 2022:
DieHard Platinum AGM Battery: 96R Group Size, 590 CCA, 735 CA, 80

[burton73]

The red tops have worked well for me as long as I don't let them sit for too long

Red Top put in by PMB

Best Bob B

[technicalninja]

I'm selling a MTX 47/H5 to a customer today on the old price list of 251.

Interstate had a price increase late May (that they didn't tell me about) and the new price is 275...

This is going in a 19 Subbie outback.

So, I have recent pricing on a group 47 AGM battery.

[930cabman]

My 356 had an Optima when I bought it in 2003, sold her in 2022 with the same battery. Needed a charge every so often after napping for the winter

I'd call that value

[sb914]

Yet another battery thread.

[FlacaProductions]

Yeah - but...it's a relatively convoluted space with a lot of choices and experiences. Additionally, it's a purchase that's only done every few years and the tech and choices change. Just like tires...

[Literati914]

I'm considering an AGM battery for a Miata application - in my 914. From what I've seen they seem to be at least 10lbs lighter than the alternatives and have a smaller footprint. But then, I've relocated to the trunk.

.

[mb911]

Yet another battery thread.

I know I know sorry. My red top is from 2013 so it has lasted a long time and is always on trickle but it is getting tired.

[JamesM]

I am not real excited to spend 300 for a new optima red top. What other options do I have and does it need to be AGM?

I stopped using Optima's after they moved production to Mexico, the quality became really hit and miss. My original early 2000s optima lasted over 10 years, its replacement didn't make it to 2. Also worth noting that Costco stopped carrying them, I asked them why and they told me it was due to the high number of returns they got on them. I use Odyssey batteries with a mounting kit from Rennline now.

Buying the mount adds initial cost over a Optima Red top but replacement batteries are slightly less(the PC680 is about 200 bucks and the PC925 is about 250), installation is easier and you save something like 20+ lbs. Im sure you could make your own mount too, I just like the convince. I have them on all 4 of my 914s and my 951 and can confirm they handle discharing far better than the Redtops do these days, though I have cutoff switches on them all now as well as they all get stored for over half the year. Between the 680 and the 925 I Prefer the 925 due to its lower height(despite being the larger battery) but the 680 does weigh less and spins my motor over just fine.

[gereed75]

Went with a red top recently based on the outstanding 10 plus years of service I got from the last one. After hearing about switch to Mexico I will get fingers crossed. Also very much respect Costco’s opinion. There supply chain management is really good

Have had great luck with PC680. Have had maybe eight in my plane. Out of those have had one marginal one and one dead one that was accepted back on warranty. Get a good one and they are really good!!

[JamesM]

Went with a red top recently based on the outstanding 10 plus years of service I got from the last one. After hearing about switch to Mexico I will get fingers crossed. Also very much respect Costco’s opinion. There supply chain management is really good

Have had great luck with PC680. Have had maybe eight in my plane. Out of those have had one marginal one and one dead one that was accepted back on warranty. Get a good one and they are really good!!

Agree on Costco, and when they did carry the Optima's they were a good deal less expensive than anywhere else as well.

I have had 5 PC925s and 1 PC680 so far and to date its only been the first 925 that I bought some 15 or so years ago that wore out and it spent a good deal of time fully discharged over winters (i didn't take the best care of it).

Had 3 red tops, the first was a good battery, the newer ones died faster than any battery I have ever owned. May have been partly related to care and feeding as I did let them go flat over the winter and I have heard they don't like to deep cycle, but the first never had a problem where 2 and 3 did. The Odysseys dont seem to mind a bit of abuse, they even advertise them as such

"twice the overall power and three times the life of conventional batteries—up to 400 cycles at 80% depth of discharge!"

So far i have zero complaints

[mb911]

Ok ordered a 925 we will see

[FlacaProductions]

Report back, please - on my list....

[Root_Werks]

Ok ordered a 925 we will see

Have a PC925 in my six for 4 1/2 years. Wired for a batter minder, but almost never use it unless the 914 will sit more than a month. Cranks right over even 3-4 weeks sitting.