Optima Time

   / Optima Time
  • Thread Starter
#12  
Well, I checked AutoZone and their price was about $135 + tax and TX disposal fee of $3. Sam's Club was $102 for the same battery + fees. I could NOT believe the difference. My price was $112 out the door at Sam's. I'll post some pictures when I get it installed: Red Top 34U, 800cca, 3 yr full replacement out to 7 years with adjustments.
 
   / Optima Time #13  
The battery in my 2120 was replaced once by my Ford dealer. It now only stays charged about 4 days. This is only the second battery since 1987 so I guess I can't complain, I suprised to hear the negative comments about the Optima battery. Everything I have heard is positive.

Andy
 
   / Optima Time #14  
I forgot to say I'll go Optima this time. And try Sam's

Andy
 
   / Optima Time
  • Thread Starter
#15  
jinman said:
Well, I checked AutoZone and their price was about $135 + tax and TX disposal fee of $3. Sam's Club was $102 for the same battery + fees. I could NOT believe the difference. My price was $112 out the door at Sam's. I'll post some pictures when I get it installed: Red Top 34U, 800cca, 3 yr full replacement out to 7 years with adjustments.

The size of the Optima was perfect for installation into my battery box. I put 2" of carpet padding foam below it and 1" in front of it. That should help dampen the shocks from being right over the front axle. As you can see in the photo, it looks quite happy sitting in the box. After I finished taking pictures, I decided that since rain can come down through the vent in the hood, I should cover the battery box so it won't collect water. I didn't take a picture of that, but it looks like the second picture of when I installed the battery box initially.
 

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   / Optima Time #16  
Good looking setup. I've got a little acid reflux and been wondering how to address it. Thanks for the photos.

Unrelated note, I had a battery problem yesterday that had nothing to do with the battery. The attachment bracket had worked loose and dropped down perfectly so as to block actuation of the hood release mechanism.......grrrrrr...... Took an act of congress to get the hood open. Dabbed the nuts with silicone this time.
 
   / Optima Time #17  
This is yet another option for installing an Optima battery in a Class III machine. OPTIMA
 
   / Optima Time #20  
have_blue said:
Not bad! Mine lasted just under 2 years. With the luxurious, velvet-smooth, boulevard ride of the TC's, those batteries should last 10 years. ;)

I took another route. Not wanting to fight the acid, modify my bracket, or pay through the snoot for a battery, I went with a standard maintenance-free car battery. It bolted right up in my standard bracket, and has a vent hose that drops down low enough to clear everything safely. It was really cheap. If it lasts 2 years, it will cost ~$20 per year, and that should have >= the economy of the original or the Optima. Anything over 2 years is gravy. The price was great, but my favorite thing is NO MORE ACID REFLUX! :)

Hello Have Blue-
Could you tell me what brand of battery is set up for a vent hose? Where did you purchase it? Not too far from Eunice, (Lebleu Settlement, north of Iowa; Originally from Iota)
 

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