Best battery for the buck?

[SkyPup]

WTA,

How long have you been using the Optima batteries? Do you have any long term experience with them, or just recent experience?

My VW TDI is going to need a new battery real soon...

I installed red top Optimas in our VW TDs four years ago and haven't had a problem since.

 

[jimmer2880]

Like all batteries, the optimas have different amp ratings. They are even different within the same color top (there are more than 1 red-top optima batteries).

Just be sure you get the CCA you need in a red top & I'm sure you won't regret it.

 

[IXLR8]

From what I have read, VW recommends a minimum of 72Ahr rating for a TDI battery. The TDI Golf/Jetta's come with a 80Ahr rated battery, the TDI New Bettle's come with a 72Ahr rated battery as the space for a battery is smaller in that car. The max rating I have seen on the Optima web page is 45Ahr. If you live in Fla... this is a none issue. If you live in the northern part of Canada it makes it a show stopper. Somewhere in between is the gray area. I have an Optima in my motorcycle, works great, but then again I don't ride in the winter. I know of several folks with the Optima in warmer climates who LOVE them... rightly so. I know of just as many folks in the colder climates who HATE them... For holding a charge between uses.. they can't be beat. YMMV

 

[zzvyb6]

If you are anywhere near a Cabela's, they always have boat batteries (deep cycle) REALLY cheap in the Bargain Cave. Check their on-line closeouts. I like the deep cycle in my tractor because the charger is pretty weak. Works great for long term farm operations but not for short use winter cycles.

 

[AndyMA]

I am on my 3rd battery in my Ford 2120. The first 2 (Ford/New Holland OEM's) made it about 9 years each. I'm now using a Sears Die Hard Deep Cycle only becaue I had it. I have virtually no battery problems in my tractors. The OEM battery in my TN75D is 5 years old and just fine.

Andy

 

[AndyMA]

These machines sometimes sit for a month or 2 without starting and always fire right up.

Andy

 

[Rara Avis]

I've switched to Interstate, as vehicle batteries fail...still have a conglomeration of JD, SEARS, and Private label in the rest of the vehicles and tractors...

2000 Chevy 2500, primary emergency response, have had the battery run down twice on emergency scenes, where someone was so kind to shut off the motor but not the light bar... Jumped to start on scenes and recharged both times at home and is still starting the beast as of today...when the temp was 13 degrees F...
87 Ford dump truck sat for 6 months and fired right up and that was at 18 degrees F earlier this morning...
70's something backup 2640 JD, also sat for over 6 months and fired right up, but the temperature was warmer...
Finally, had the JD battery in an 855, which I had to replace in the spring twice, since it's been an Interstate...no problem...

But as the saying goes...YMMV...

 

[allenr]

I'm sold on Gel Batteries.

Have 2 Optima red tops 720 CCA, now just over 4 years old and 4 Exide Orbital 750 CCA, 2 x 2 years and 2 x 1 month old.
1 of the Orbitals failed after about a year but was replaced at no cost.

I swap all of these around between 6 tractors, a backhoe, truck, grape harvester, Cushman Truckster, vine training buggy and probably one or two other vehicles that I haven't thought of, love their light weight and lack of acid leaks.

They'll all start anything, including the Cummins 8.3 Litre T/Diesel in the truck.
The truck came with 3 x 410 or 430 CCA Batteries (can't remember exactly), but just one of the above will do it (don't have sub 0 Celsius nights though).

Trouble with swapping batteries is that the terminals seem to compress over time, but so did the leaky old batteries.

 

[number two]

As far as conventional batteries go,I've been well pleased with Interstate for over 20 years. Thet make a size for everyone,price is fair,durability is decent. Have gotten 8+ years out of some.

 

[WTA]

I think I have been using them for about 7 or 8 years now. Maybe a little longer. I forget. I tend not to think much about things that don't give me problems.
I know at my last job that I had working for someone else, we bought batteries from a local discounter for all the used cars on the lot. Quite often they wouldn't last through one freezing night. They were so bad that noone would even steal them. Advance auto sells optimas too. They are great with thier warranties I know. I do a lot of business with them and they've always treated me right.
I've never had an optima go bad though. I wish they made one for my riding mower!