Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Optima batteries

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 27, 2025 | 01:11 PM
  #1  
beartracks's Avatar
beartracks
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,623
Likes: 342
From: Albuquerque
Optima batteries

What batteries do you guys like? I've been using Optima for decades but the quality seems to be slipping. Can't get one to last 4 years.
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2025 | 06:50 PM
  #2  
Viper Pilot's Avatar
Viper Pilot
Fleet Mechanic
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 705
Over priced and not worth it. Red tops are the only ones that were ever of decent quality and even they didn’t outlast your run of the mill parts store battery, at least in my experience.
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2025 | 09:01 PM
  #3  
Rubiranch's Avatar
Rubiranch
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,739
Likes: 3,346
From: South Central Utah

I've been using Ever Start batteries for years and never had any problems with them or had any die prematurely.
Trucks, cars and their deep cycle RV batteries.
This video is a few years old and I don't doubt that some things may have changed since then

I remember YEARS ago selling group 24F batteries at full retail for $39.95.
 
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2025 | 03:46 PM
  #4  
lafermedavid's Avatar
lafermedavid
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 101
From: darlington
Club FTE Silver Member


 
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2025 | 04:03 PM
  #5  
tbear853's Avatar
tbear853
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,754
Likes: 2,587
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I got 12 years out of a 24 in my '77 from 2003 to 2015, was before I started using battery maintainers regular like. Was a few times I put it on charge after it sat out there unused in the yard, was a Legend 75 from NAPA. I have dedicated low amp smart chargers, aka: "Maintainer"s on each now, typically 1.5 - 2 amp range, they float as they monitor ... not letting the battery self discharge, thus keeping them topped. I have several now well over 10 years old showing no hint of dying. I started doing it with motorcycles or my Wheel Horse batteries that often set unused all winter. In 2006 we were going across country on a long vacation road trip so I replaced the 65 in our Mercury, but kept the original battery. It's a still good spare. In 2013 I replaced that battery and again kept the older one. That too is a good spare. Was about then, maybe later, I started using maintainers, they save batteries.
 

Last edited by tbear853; Sep 28, 2025 at 04:08 PM. Reason: added thought
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2025 | 04:08 PM
  #6  
lafermedavid's Avatar
lafermedavid
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,170
Likes: 101
From: darlington
Club FTE Silver Member

are they solar or electric?
 
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2025 | 05:33 PM
  #7  
tbear853's Avatar
tbear853
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,754
Likes: 2,587
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Originally Posted by lafermedavid
are they solar or electric?
Mine are all 115v input, but I've seen some solar ones. I run 5 now, have extended cords as needed, use rwo conductor polarized connectors, with the vehicle side exposed pin being the ground side. Each positive is fused 5a at the battery positive post connection. Most of mine are B&D ones with maximum charge capacity of 1.5 amps as they see fit.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
beartracks
Electrical Systems/Wiring
14
Oct 22, 2025 05:27 PM
FishOnOne
2022+ F-150 Lightning EV
29
Jun 6, 2023 04:34 AM
DrCharles
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
7
Dec 11, 2021 10:27 AM
arcticatdan
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Jul 26, 2018 06:48 PM
tndiesel
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Jul 2, 2007 08:31 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:54 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE