Battery experts needed - substitute 24F for 24 to get positive terminal forward.

[powerscol]

Its time to replace my 2009 made Group 24 battery in my CT 235. The Group 24 that is in it which has the positive terminal in the Rt rear (looking at it from the front) close to the oil cooler line and under the air cleaner. In looking at where the power cables come in I should be able to put in a 24F and turn it so the positive terminal is Rt front, giving more clearance from under the air cleaner and away from that oil line. I haft to remind myself to take the negative off first - which I should be doing for safety. However when I have had to jump the battery I must be extreme careful with the positive clamp. Does anyone see a problem with this.

Also battery choices. I come from the era before maintenance free. In the tractor it takes a lot of vibration and bouncing. I have heard Optima red tops are having issues - are there other sealed brands that will work. What about a glass mat type? I know nothing, so please be kind in my education, and yes I look like my avatar:laughing:

 

[IH782]

We have had over a dozen Optimas, and one Odyssey both with great luck. We had one yellow top that was indestructible, you could see through 4 of the cells and it lasted almost a year after. We also had a absorbed glass mat from Advance Auto but it didn't live long enough to even use it (read, fell off of trailer doing 45).

 

[John_Mc]

I have an Optima D51 Yellow Top in my NH TC33D. I've only owned it for 7 months, but no problems. I researched pretty thoroughly before buying, would have bought either an Optima or an Odyssey brand. The Optima was a better fit in my tractor.

What are you hearing about the Red Tops?

 

[powerscol]

I have an Optima D51 Yellow Top in my NH TC33D. I've only owned it for 7 months, but no problems. I researched pretty thoroughly before buying, would have bought either an Optima or an Odyssey brand. The Optima was a better fit in my tractor.

What are you hearing about the Red Tops?

Just a few threads that that they are now made in Mexico - used to be Colorado, and folk are having some issues.

 

[John_Mc]

Just a few threads that that they are now made in Mexico - used to be Colorado, and folk are having some issues.

So are these issues top secret or something, or can you share with us what they are? Others may want to keep an eye out for the problem.

 

[RjCorazza]

The Optima red, yellow, and blue top batteries are AGM (absorbed glass mat). I had a red top in my previous L3410 for 9 years without issue. I am not familiar with any current manufacturing problems, and I can only assume my battery was made long before.

 

[LD1]

I have bever paid the extra for an AGM or optima battery in anything other than a motorcycle. So no experience with full sized batteries. Just cannot justify the cost. The battery in my old L3400 that I sold to dad, still has the OEM battery in it from 2005.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have had a lot of batteries and use to have over thirty to maintain in various vehicles and tractors. I have the Odyssey batteries in my boat and camper, very good product with long life. For trucks and tractors that get frequent use I use the Walmart EverStart batteries at about $100+ these seem to be the best bang for the buck, cost works out to $15-$20 per year. I find most all batteries today will hold their charge for several months at a time. Some vehicles will have a constant battery drain, that is not a fault of the batteries though.

I do not use battery maintainers on each vehicle as it is too much trouble imo. For some people this works well but my equipment tends to be spread out in different places and needs to work without these maintainers.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I had a red top Optima battery in my 2009 RTV when I bought it in 2010 but it went bad within a year. I went to NAPA (local authorized dealer) to replace it but he didn't have any in stock. He said no one buys them because of the price but he could order one for me but it would be around $200. I said no thanks what else do you have. He recommended the NAPA 84 which was around $120. IT has been trouble free since 2010.

 

[dickfoster]

Its time to replace my 2009 made Group 24 battery in my CT 235. The Group 24 that is in it which has the positive terminal in the Rt rear (looking at it from the front) close to the oil cooler line and under the air cleaner. In looking at where the power cables come in I should be able to put in a 24F and turn it so the positive terminal is Rt front, giving more clearance from under the air cleaner and away from that oil line. I haft to remind myself to take the negative off first - which I should be doing for safety. However when I have had to jump the battery I must be extreme careful with the positive clamp. Does anyone see a problem with this.

Also battery choices. I come from the era before maintenance free. In the tractor it takes a lot of vibration and bouncing. I have heard Optima red tops are having issues - are there other sealed brands that will work. What about a glass mat type? I know nothing, so please be kind in my education, and yes I look like my avatar:laughing:

Go get yourself an Odyssey battery and never look back. An Odyssey 34-790 would probably fit if you want lead terminals but I like their brass terminals. You could even fit a smaller group 31 battery with one of their 4 dollar spacers. They have several models that will fit depending on how much you decide to spend, anywhere from $200+ to $400+. As a general rule I get the biggest and best that will fit then forget about it.
Some years ago Optima moved production to Mexico then started selling more label than product. Since then I've heard several Optima complaints that I haven't heard for the US made Odyssey brand.
Besides the Odyssey design allows for more charge to be stored in the same or less volume over the wasteful Optima spiral cell design. To illustrate, imagine a box sized to hold a six pack of beer then imagine how much beer you could fit into all that wasted space between the cylindrical cans. For some reason Optima touts this design but there is also a saying that goes "if you can't hide it, highlight it". It's simply a way to make their batteries cheaper and that's it.

 

[fatboycowen]

I replaced the battery on my ct235 last year. I'll have to dig up the size I used. Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on a nice battery. Will it last twice as long as a normal Walmart one? I doubt it. But it does cost twice as much.... And odyssey is nice. I have one in my fun car.

 

[RickB]

Put a 24F in it and move on.

 

[powerscol]

Thanks. I plan to pick one up tomorrow, or a group 34R AGM one which is a tad longer but will still fit - but need to actually see and measure one.

 

[TractorGuy]

For standard batteries check at Tractor Supply if you have one local. Their battery prices are better than Walmart here.

 

[John_Mc]

Besides the Odyssey design allows for more charge to be stored in the same or less volume over the wasteful Optima spiral cell design. To illustrate, imagine a box sized to hold a six pack of beer then imagine how much beer you could fit into all that wasted space between the cylindrical cans. For some reason Optima touts this design but there is also a saying that goes "if you can't hide it, highlight it". It's simply a way to make their batteries cheaper and that's it.

I've heard the energy density bit several times now. I have to say: for a typical tractor application, who cares? If you have the space to fit a battery with the appropriate capacity ratings, put it in and don't look back. If it makes the batteries less expensive, but they still fit in my tractor (though a bit bigger than an equivalent rated Odyssey), I'm happy.

Now the stories of Optima quality problems are something that would concern me. I'd be interested in hearing more, but so far it's just the nebulous "some people are having issues..."

 

[dickfoster]

I've heard the energy density bit several times now. I have to say: for a typical tractor application, who cares? If you have the space to fit a battery with the appropriate capacity ratings, put it in and don't look back. If it makes the batteries less expensive, but they still fit in my tractor (though a bit bigger than an equivalent rated Odyssey), I'm happy.

Now the stories of Optima quality problems are something that would concern me. I'd be interested in hearing more, but so far it's just the nebulous "some people are having issues..."

Energy density equates to cranking time, especially with glow plugs in cold weather etc. As with anything you get what you pay for. You can always save money but sometimes you end up paying for that too.

As far as Optima goes they moved production to Mexico a few years ago and started a heavy marketing campaign. Then the complaints started popping up. I'm an offroader. As such as a group we are really hard on batteries with winching, bouncing, compressors, extra lights and such so word gets around that bunch pretty quickly when the quality slips.
Now I'm getting a little concerned because I'm seeing more Odyssey marketing lately so the MBA types may be at work bringing them down now too. However, I haven't seen it yet. If like Optima they start to trash the brand I'll be among the first to speak up. So far I think all of their stuff is still made in the US. If the prices starts to go down look for a drop in quality because no one can deliver something for nothing no matter who they are. As long as I get what I pay for, I'm happy enough.

 

[powerscol]

Update
I went and got a Walmart battery on sale $87 plus core. It is the 24F and fits perfectly. Thanks everyone for you help and advice.

 

[John_Mc]

Energy density equates to cranking time, especially with glow plugs in cold weather etc. As with anything you get what you pay for. You can always save money but sometimes you end up paying for that too.

My point was that energy density is a non-issue if space is not your major concern.

As far as Optima goes they moved production to Mexico a few years ago and started a heavy marketing campaign. Then the complaints started popping up. I'm an offroader. As such as a group we are really hard on batteries with winching, bouncing, compressors, extra lights and such so word gets around that bunch pretty quickly when the quality slips.

So what problems are that group seeing? I'm not trying to argue that they are not happening. I believe you. I'd just like to know what to watch out for.

 

[dickfoster]

My point was that energy density is a non-issue if space is not your major concern.



So what problems are that group seeing? I'm not trying to argue that they are not happening. I believe you. I'd just like to know what to watch out for.

You watch for dead batteries that won't hold a charge and were replaced not long ago. After paying a premium price and just getting a label instead of a decent battery, it's not a good deal. Also they play this color game with battery tops, one color of this, another color for that while Odyssey manages to do everything, starting, deep cycle, marine etc. with just one color, orange.

 

[powerscol]

I guess folks are wondering why I went with the Walmart unit. 5 year warranty and I can buy a lot of them for the price of the others. Turns out my bad battery is not totally bad due to a very corroded connection. Corrosion was inside where I could not see it. I'll use it to run my 12V fueling station - should be good for a long time.

Again thanks for the help.

Now having said that I have been studying solar power with battery backup. That's where you need a very high density deep cycle and pays to go premium from what I am reading.