Boiling Optima

[cataclysm80]

The question seems to be, What battery can be installed and then ignored for the longest amount of time and still hold a charge.

[70chall440]

 

[Topcat]

It all has do with the % of calcium and % of lead.

The number of plates and how big they are.
More lead % is more reserve. 

Deep cycle have thick plates for deep cycle.
Cranking battery have thinner plates but more of them.
Less fluid in a cranking battery so they don't like being hot.


Look at the boom box results and amp hours.
Northstar won.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/154-1303-battery-bashing/

Then read this:
http://www.discountmarinebatteries.com/thin-plate-pure-lead-agm-battery-review/

[70chall440]

Thanks for the links, especially the four wheeler one, basically what I was thinking but without the ability to test as they did. Yes the Northstar battery won, however the one thing that weighs against it is that I cannot walk into a parts store and buy one, also they are more expensive than their competitors.

[70chall440]

Here is the chart from Four Wheeler

[Cuda Cody]

That's a good chart.  Is the real value in the DieHard Platinum?

Here is the chart from Four Wheeler

[70chall440]

It definitely ranks toward the top. Where my thinking is currently (in general) is that the Die Hard Platinum (which is reportedly made by Odyssey) is a great battery (have one in my Viper). I also am thinking that the Everstart Platinum (Walmart) is a decent battery. The Duralast Platinum seems ok but there is some bad press on it and I suspect they had a bad run over the last few years.

[HP_Cuda]

I used to run exclusively on Diehard bats but when all the Sears stores starting shutting down =  no more.

[70chall440]

Therein lies the dilemma, finding a good battery that is accessible locally. No doubt this will be a compromise but everyone needs to select what is best and important to them. For me, local access is important.

[jamesroney]

It is worth pointing out that the Optima cannot normally be recharged from a Deep Cycle Discharge using a normal DC battery charger.  (or at least i have never had any luck with that...)

I have recovered several "bricked" Optimas using the Optima specific recovery charger.

That being said, it appears that the Northstar is a superior battery.

I'm running Optima in my boat, and my Bronco, and my Cuda...and i love them.  But my primary consideration is corrosion protection. 

[Cuda Cody]

@wanderlustin  gave me this from the place that makes the reproduction batteries.

[70chall440]

Is the repro battery a AGM?

[Topcat]

The algorithm charging rate is different for AGM's vs. Wet cells.

I've seen SLA's charged with a wet cell charger and they became swollen into the shape of a Football.

[Cuda Cody]

I do not know.   

I'm sticking to their scheduled recharge and storage directions and using their charger.  So far everything is really working well. 

Is the repro battery a AGM?

[Chryco Psycho]

I have no clue why but here nothing will last 2 years it is not heat as Arizona , New Mexico , Florida et all get hotter , I bought a Deka dead in 18 months , now I buy the cheapest battery available usually $50-60 & it lasts 18 months why pay 3x as much to get 20 months