Optima batteries ???

[kaptnkaos]

Hey guys what's the deal with Optima batteries?
What makes them worth two-three times more than other batteries wih the same power rating???

Just curious

KaptnKA S

[70_F100]

I don't know, other than the looks and the prestige.

It's a lot to pay, when you can get a 72-month battery, like you said, for 1/3 the cost!!

They DO look pretty, though...

Our trucks originally came with a Group 24F (chebbies used the Group 24, the only difference was that the + and - terminals were reversed). Optional was a Group 27.

It's hard to believe that even the highest-compression 427 would require any more amps than a 27F 60-month battery will provide!!

[fordman]

a battery guy told me once the f on 24f meant ford. and it was the placement of the terminals per side like 70_f100 said.

[kaptnkaos]

Yeah... that's pretty much what I thought...

Around here there are guys that "rebuild" Optima batteries and sell them for about what you coulld buy a new Die Hard or Ultima battery or other major battery.

KaptnKA S

[fitzwell]

The old Optima red top units used to be great. Last forever, no worries. Seems as tho Q.C. has gone in the tank here of late. The Blue top (Marine) and the Yellow top (DeepCycle) still seem to be ok, for whatever reason. One other point to ponder..you need a battery charger designed to charge/maintain a gel cell battery. Your regular old 10A unit won't cut it.

[70_F100]

Fitzwell is correct about the charger.

I didn't realize they were gel-cell batteries. That's the reason for the higher price.

I still say, just buy a good 72-month or 84-month battery. They supply more than enough cranking amps at an affordable price.

[ToughOldFord]

I always thought it was because they are purdy and help relieve one's bulging wallet.

[kaptnkaos]

I didn't know that the Optimas were gel cell either.. to tell the truth, I wasn't exactly sure what a "gel cell" was...
I found this tutorial to be helpful.
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery.html

KaptnKA S

[flyboy2610]

Every vehicle we have has an Interstate battery in it. Frankly, I wouldn't want anything else.

[kaptnkaos]

Hey Fly....

I have had real good luck with Interstate batteries too... heck, I've had good luck with Wal*Mart batteries too.

KaptnKA S

[BobbyFord]

Optima batteries do not leak or get funk on the top like wet cell batteries. You can mount them sideways, upside-down, etc. I've had one for about 4 years now with no worries. I have an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery in my Harley.

[fordman]

i have a dead agm battery i got out of the last parts truck.

[heep70]

I am working on twelve year on my yellow top Optima. Just purchased another one to run duals batts in the Toy. Well worth the extra cash.

[rjewkes]

The way i understand it the big time dirt/desert racers/rock crawlers want the optimas becuase of the raesons above. they will take more bouncing down a dirt road and rolling over than a wet cell.

[kaptnkaos]

Yeah... I could see having one for special applications like "dirt/desert racers/rock crawlers".

I doubt I'll be doing any of that in my '68 CS, at least not on purpose...

Now back in the day, I had a '68 F100 2x4 that I would thrash, the hills and trails with...
But ya can't beat a '62 Ford Country Sedan for a brush stomper... like this one, but white and not nearly as nice...

This was the first car I bought myself I got it for $50... It was in nearly mint original stock condition... at least until I got it.
I gutted the interior of every thing except the front bench seat... I lifted it 3 inches and ran 15"x8" mudders all the way around that was about the biggest size you could get in off road style tires.
I also removed the PS pump, and blocked off the PS hoses, so all the fluid wouldn't leak out .. It steered easier than manual, but not nearly as easy as PS, so there was less problems with over steering on the dirt roads.
We would race the dirt back roads, and there was only one rig I was never able to beat...
One of the guys parents had a brand new BMW that he would dirt race.. with out their knowledge of course.
Ahhh those were the days

KaptnKA S