Archer

Guys -

Any thoughts on Optima batteries for a general purpose muscle car (the Charger). Every one I've spoken to said basically the same thing "Good batteries, but won't do anything a standard battery won't".

Just curious, as my current battery is on it's last legs after EIGHT YEARS of reliable service.

Thanks

Archer

Drag Pak

If you can find another battery that will last eight years for less than the price of an Optima, go for it. That being said, I use an Optima in my Drag Pak, one for my trailer tongue jack, and another for a Warn winch wheelchair lift system in my home. They have all been great. I have managed to buy them greatly discounted during the April trade show sales period at our local Lordco Automotive parts dealer. I found that using a Ctech charger (that has a specific "Optima" and a lead acid mode) works the best for maintaining and restoring them to full charge when drained completely.

By the way, a Ctech charger also has a desulfation mode that could very possibly bring your Leadacid battery back to life.

Archer

Drag -

Thanks. The old battery is being "recharged" at a local auto parts store as we speak, so I'll know if there's any life left in it soon.

Since I'm not familiar with the tech behind the Optimas, I need a battery that will hold a charge over a few months (winter) without needing a trickler. I figure if the old one could last that long, maybe just getting the same one as a replacement would be the best bet.

Archer

RacerHog

I have good luck with both...... I only have one bit of input for the deep cycle battery's.. If you use these battery's for daily use and only drive like 5 miles and make 15 stops and starts... You will never get a good charge back into the battery without some type of maintenance charging.

Drag Pak is 100% spot on, when he said, use the rite charger for the rite job.

FootNote: Some of those Optima battery's will come rite back to life if you 40 amp boost charge them.....

Just my 2 cents.....

RacerHog

One more thing.... If you got eight years out of your battery.... I think you done good.. Archer...

Archer

Bob -

These days, the Charger is taken out for club meets and shows with an occasional cruise by the beach (that usually means a few WOT runs...). Average run time is between 15 minutes to 1/2 hour, except for the longer "fun runs". Alt is 90 at speed and 50 at idle.

Yeah, my daily driver gets 5 years out of a battery, usually right to the month.

Basically, I'm looking for as maintenance free a battery as I can get, that still looks good in the engine bay. And it has to keep enough of a charge to last through the winter.

The old battery is a Deka.

Archer

RacerHog

I think I would stay with whats working for you.. Just My opinion...
Those Deka's are made over in your neck of the wood...

Keep us posted...

Archer

Bob -

I went with the Autocraft match to the Deka (believe they are made in the same place). A little higher on the specs, but most importantly, same foot print. Car and driver are happy ...

Thanks,

Archer

RacerHog

Drag Pak

Bob, I had my Optima Yellow top down to low 11 volts and my regular charger at 50 amps would only bring it back to 55% charge. At 20 amps it was trying to push 16 + volts into it.

I figured what the hell and spent the money on a Ctech digital charger. Half the price of a new battery and it brought it right back to 100%.