Need some suggestions on a battery...
Aug 4, 2010 | 04:27 PM
#1
Need some suggestions on a battery...
I'm in need of a new battery for my truck and I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions/feedback on a good battery. The truck still has the stock AC delco one now and it's on the fritz.
I have a fairly moderate sound system and I would like to make sure I have the power available without my lights dimming or alternator overworking to keep a charge.
So far I've looked into optima but I've heard a lot of mixed reviews.. Anyone???
I have a fairly moderate sound system and I would like to make sure I have the power available without my lights dimming or alternator overworking to keep a charge.
So far I've looked into optima but I've heard a lot of mixed reviews.. Anyone???
Aug 4, 2010 | 11:20 PM
#3
Dont do optima. From what I hear they are not made in the US anymore and their quality is questionable. Look into Odyssey or Powermaster for some quality sealed batteries or as Trevor said go back with what has worked for 9 years.
Aug 5, 2010 | 08:29 AM
#6
TECH Resident
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 813
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Red Top Optima all the way!
The one in my truck now is 7 years old. With ZERO problems. I do have a stereo project and electric fans in the near future and I don't have any doubts it will still hold up.
I had to replace the Red Top in my moms car that was 9 years old. A little back ground on the Red Top in my moms car is that I used it in my old truck that had decent stereo in it, electric fans, and with my profession I start and turn off my truck almost as much as the FedEx guy in an office complex.
A good strain on the electrical system when AC & Fans are full blast in Florida heat and the truck is only running for 2 mins at a time. 
I never had a problem. That battery was pulled out of my truck when I sold it and put into my sisters car. She ran that thing DEAD at least 3 times by leaving the lights on. It came back by battery charger every time and worked for another two years before we sold that car and moved it to my moms where it lived the rest of its life.
The guy at the store where I bought the new battery was trash talking Optimas. I asked him where he bought them from and he said he gets his from a local car show at a discount slightly used. And said he always had issues and always recommends other brands because of it.
........well no **** Sherlock your not buying a new battery from a licensed dealer. 
Who knows if it was a real optima. 
When he read the manufacture date on the old Optima he about fell over…….2001.
If mine went out today another Red Top will replace it with out a doubt! 100% Satisfied.
The one in my truck now is 7 years old. With ZERO problems. I do have a stereo project and electric fans in the near future and I don't have any doubts it will still hold up.
I had to replace the Red Top in my moms car that was 9 years old. A little back ground on the Red Top in my moms car is that I used it in my old truck that had decent stereo in it, electric fans, and with my profession I start and turn off my truck almost as much as the FedEx guy in an office complex.
A good strain on the electrical system when AC & Fans are full blast in Florida heat and the truck is only running for 2 mins at a time. I never had a problem. That battery was pulled out of my truck when I sold it and put into my sisters car. She ran that thing DEAD at least 3 times by leaving the lights on. It came back by battery charger every time and worked for another two years before we sold that car and moved it to my moms where it lived the rest of its life.The guy at the store where I bought the new battery was trash talking Optimas. I asked him where he bought them from and he said he gets his from a local car show at a discount slightly used. And said he always had issues and always recommends other brands because of it.
........well no **** Sherlock your not buying a new battery from a licensed dealer. Who knows if it was a real optima. When he read the manufacture date on the old Optima he about fell over…….2001. If mine went out today another Red Top will replace it with out a doubt! 100% Satisfied.
Aug 5, 2010 | 09:21 PM
#7
It matters very much where the battery is made in relation to the quality of materials and assembly. The same is true on any other part we put on our trucks.
Red Top Optima all the way!
The one in my truck now is 7 years old. With ZERO problems. I do have a stereo project and electric fans in the near future and I don't have any doubts it will still hold up.
I had to replace the Red Top in my moms car that was 9 years old. A little back ground on the Red Top in my moms car is that I used it in my old truck that had decent stereo in it, electric fans, and with my profession I start and turn off my truck almost as much as the FedEx guy in an office complex. A good strain on the electrical system when AC & Fans are full blast in Florida heat and the truck is only running for 2 mins at a time. I never had a problem. That battery was pulled out of my truck when I sold it and put into my sisters car. She ran that thing DEAD at least 3 times by leaving the lights on. It came back by battery charger every time and worked for another two years before we sold that car and moved it to my moms where it lived the rest of its life.
The guy at the store where I bought the new battery was trash talking Optimas. I asked him where he bought them from and he said he gets his from a local car show at a discount slightly used. And said he always had issues and always recommends other brands because of it.........well no **** Sherlock your not buying a new battery from a licensed dealer. Who knows if it was a real optima. When he read the manufacture date on the old Optima he about fell over…….2001.
If mine went out today another Red Top will replace it with out a doubt! 100% Satisfied.
The one in my truck now is 7 years old. With ZERO problems. I do have a stereo project and electric fans in the near future and I don't have any doubts it will still hold up.
I had to replace the Red Top in my moms car that was 9 years old. A little back ground on the Red Top in my moms car is that I used it in my old truck that had decent stereo in it, electric fans, and with my profession I start and turn off my truck almost as much as the FedEx guy in an office complex.
A good strain on the electrical system when AC & Fans are full blast in Florida heat and the truck is only running for 2 mins at a time. I never had a problem. That battery was pulled out of my truck when I sold it and put into my sisters car. She ran that thing DEAD at least 3 times by leaving the lights on. It came back by battery charger every time and worked for another two years before we sold that car and moved it to my moms where it lived the rest of its life.The guy at the store where I bought the new battery was trash talking Optimas. I asked him where he bought them from and he said he gets his from a local car show at a discount slightly used. And said he always had issues and always recommends other brands because of it.
........well no **** Sherlock your not buying a new battery from a licensed dealer. Who knows if it was a real optima. When he read the manufacture date on the old Optima he about fell over…….2001. If mine went out today another Red Top will replace it with out a doubt! 100% Satisfied.
I myself have had to replace a red top within a year in my carbureted trail rig and have had several of my friends that have run into the same issues. I searched the 4x4 forums and others to find out what everybody else was running and I found that optimas quality went out the window when they apparently got bought out. The one battery everybody seems to be running now is Odyssey which I suggested in my first post.
I am not trying to start a pissing match but I feel I need to give account of the other side of the story....
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Aug 6, 2010 | 06:14 AM
#8
Launching!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: san diego
the stocker is fine, stereos should have a cap on them, if you have a big stereo use the yellow optima or get a bigger alternator
and with any battery if you constantly drain it down then it will die faster, like need to be replaced die
dont ever buy the batteries from AAA, they really suck trust me
and with any battery if you constantly drain it down then it will die faster, like need to be replaced die
dont ever buy the batteries from AAA, they really suck trust me
Aug 7, 2010 | 10:30 AM
#9
Well I decided to go with the optima yellow top. My local car audio shop only had yellow tops and I figured with the system, it couldn't hurt.
The truck started right up. Radio does actually sound a little crisper, but at full blast of my sub the lights still dim!!
I guess it's time to upgrade the alternator.
The truck started right up. Radio does actually sound a little crisper, but at full blast of my sub the lights still dim!!
I guess it's time to upgrade the alternator.
Aug 7, 2010 | 10:40 AM
#10
Well I decided to go with the optima yellow top. My local car audio shop only had yellow tops and I figured with the system, it couldn't hurt.
The truck started right up. Radio does actually sound a little crisper, but at full blast of my sub the lights still dim!!
I guess it's time to upgrade the alternator.
The truck started right up. Radio does actually sound a little crisper, but at full blast of my sub the lights still dim!!
I guess it's time to upgrade the alternator.