Optima Batteries-Good or Bad
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slowrev
Elite Member
That depends on the deep cycle battery. Some/many are limited on their current output. If you take a trolling motor battery and start your F305 diesel with it it may well ruin the battery.
I had a trolling motor battery ruined that way.
I had a trolling motor battery ruined that way.
OP
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I took the plunge and ordered an Optima Blue Top D-31-M. I am going to put that one in my truck camper. It's a big battery. Weighs about 55 pounds. Group 31 is the largest battery I can get in the access door.
I looked on E-Bay under Optima Batteries and there were a lot of sellers. The were talking about "blems" and warranty problems, so I went to a distributor and ordered one. The D-31-M is a new model. I paid $195.00, shipping included. E-Bay had lower prices, but I don't want a problem so I went with a distributor www.1st-optima-batteries.com Seem like nice people, even called me back to verify my zip code and they ship UPS. We live in the country and Fed-Ex absolutely will not leave anything on the porch without a signature. I ordered my new digital camera from Gateway direct and it came fed-Ex. My wife had to drive 40 miles to get it and be there before 4:30pm on a weekday. Now when I mailorder, I always ask if it is UPS or the "other". If it's the other, they don't get my business.
I looked on E-Bay under Optima Batteries and there were a lot of sellers. The were talking about "blems" and warranty problems, so I went to a distributor and ordered one. The D-31-M is a new model. I paid $195.00, shipping included. E-Bay had lower prices, but I don't want a problem so I went with a distributor www.1st-optima-batteries.com Seem like nice people, even called me back to verify my zip code and they ship UPS. We live in the country and Fed-Ex absolutely will not leave anything on the porch without a signature. I ordered my new digital camera from Gateway direct and it came fed-Ex. My wife had to drive 40 miles to get it and be there before 4:30pm on a weekday. Now when I mailorder, I always ask if it is UPS or the "other". If it's the other, they don't get my business.
Bird
Rest in Peace
I guess it just depends on the people (employees) in your area. I've had lots of stuff delivered by both UPS and FedEx, but both in town and out in the country, I've had better service and friendlier people with FedEx.
Inspector507
Super Member
I seem to remember, at one time, FedEx had a form you could sign and keep on file. No one had to sign for them to leave the package at your door. Sort of a permission slip. I have no idea if they still do this or not. Hmmmm........maybe UPS /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
GreenMtnMan
Silver Member
They both have signature release forms, but the shipper can override it and require a signature anyway. I'm sure you've seen those "Signature Required" stickers on some packages - that's a shipper requirement. I generally don't do business with companies that require signatures simply because it's too inconvenient to go get the package and it's hard to be home to sign for it.
For us, Fedex used to not leave packages until we signed the form. For UPS I understand it's the drivers discretion and our driver always leaves the package even though we never signed a form with them. In our area (knock, knock) there's never been a problem leaving packages.
For us, Fedex used to not leave packages until we signed the form. For UPS I understand it's the drivers discretion and our driver always leaves the package even though we never signed a form with them. In our area (knock, knock) there's never been a problem leaving packages.
Inspector507
Super Member
UPS will leave most anything here, except what the shipper labels "Adult Signature Required" as in my last 2 computers. Now this Thursday, I took the day off, because I refinanced my mortgage and the papers are coming FedEx that day. The mortgage notary will be coming Friday. I HAVE to be here Thursday to sign for them or they'll be returned.
Lots of good info above about Optima batteries. I spent several years developing a product which used this style of battery.
My role included lots of testing to see how different operating conditions affected battery life. I can confirm there are two conditions to avoid if at all possible.
The first is fully discharging the battery, and even worse, leaving the electrical load connected after doing so. This can cause battery damage after only one or two such events (at least for the non-deep cycle version). The second is charging the battery with an unregulated charging system, a type commonly used in small engines. Unregulated charging can dramatically shorten the service life.
On a different note, once properly charged, these batteries can hold their charge for years if kept cold. I keep a smaller sized version in my freezer and use it occasionally, it still works fine. This particular battery was manufactured in 1981 !
My role included lots of testing to see how different operating conditions affected battery life. I can confirm there are two conditions to avoid if at all possible.
The first is fully discharging the battery, and even worse, leaving the electrical load connected after doing so. This can cause battery damage after only one or two such events (at least for the non-deep cycle version). The second is charging the battery with an unregulated charging system, a type commonly used in small engines. Unregulated charging can dramatically shorten the service life.
On a different note, once properly charged, these batteries can hold their charge for years if kept cold. I keep a smaller sized version in my freezer and use it occasionally, it still works fine. This particular battery was manufactured in 1981 !
OP
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Bird:
Fed-Ex ground delivery, you know to your door, is primarily owner-operators. The nearest depot to us is in Ann Arbor, about 40 miles from here. It's kind of obvious to me that the owner op's that purchase a fed-Ex franchise aren't the swiftist folks. The camera that my wife had to finally pick up, the first delivery attempt included the signature required form. The delivery person's writing was so illegible that all my wife could discern was the phone number that was part of the printed form. She called them in Ann Arbor and the person who answered the phone promised that the delivery would be the next day. Next day came and went. Two days came and went. The third day, we got another signature card. By this time my wife was HOT and being german, hot is HOT. She called thm in Ann Arbor again and got the same person (when my wife calls anyone, she gets their name). She told them with expletives that she'd be up to get it, sign a signature card there and if we ever had another problem, she'd report them to the Michigan State Attorney Generals office. Rather than going through the hassle, I just inquire whether it's UPS or the "other"
I just received a UPS tracking number from the battery folks. It says delivery will be on Friday. Knowing UPS, it will.
UPS is a tight run, efficient company. Their drivers are paid big bucks and they are (at least to me) courteous and timely. In trucking jargon we call them "Buster Brown". I am still envious of their pay and benefit packages.
Fed-Ex ground delivery, you know to your door, is primarily owner-operators. The nearest depot to us is in Ann Arbor, about 40 miles from here. It's kind of obvious to me that the owner op's that purchase a fed-Ex franchise aren't the swiftist folks. The camera that my wife had to finally pick up, the first delivery attempt included the signature required form. The delivery person's writing was so illegible that all my wife could discern was the phone number that was part of the printed form. She called them in Ann Arbor and the person who answered the phone promised that the delivery would be the next day. Next day came and went. Two days came and went. The third day, we got another signature card. By this time my wife was HOT and being german, hot is HOT. She called thm in Ann Arbor again and got the same person (when my wife calls anyone, she gets their name). She told them with expletives that she'd be up to get it, sign a signature card there and if we ever had another problem, she'd report them to the Michigan State Attorney Generals office. Rather than going through the hassle, I just inquire whether it's UPS or the "other"
I just received a UPS tracking number from the battery folks. It says delivery will be on Friday. Knowing UPS, it will.
UPS is a tight run, efficient company. Their drivers are paid big bucks and they are (at least to me) courteous and timely. In trucking jargon we call them "Buster Brown". I am still envious of their pay and benefit packages.
Fed-ex wouldn't even stop at our location it was 2 streets off main st but they indicated it was "too rural" an area but co-op was right next door and 18 wheeled rigs and fuel delivery trucks go in all day long.. go figure? Ups never had a problem..
I use 3 walmart deep cycle batteries i think there ~875-1000 cca to crank our alky fuel motor never had a problem with them ruining the battery's more problems cracking the case and acid leaking out and plates vibarating loose..
I use 3 walmart deep cycle batteries i think there ~875-1000 cca to crank our alky fuel motor never had a problem with them ruining the battery's more problems cracking the case and acid leaking out and plates vibarating loose..
