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Jun 16, 2006 | 10:34 PM

#16

Floundered

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A while ago Practical Sailor magazine (and probably their sister publication Powerboat Reports) did a big review of a wide range of lead-acid battery brands. Believe it or not, Sears Die-Hard came out on top. I don't recall the date of the issue nor the other batteries tested. I don't think Optima was in their test, but I think Delco and Motorcraft were. I gotta look that one up.

Jun 17, 2006 | 09:54 AM

#17

toolboxjunky

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From: tx

batteries

for the $ i would go with motorcrafts i buy them at oreillys you can't beat the warranty (3yr & 18 month free replacement i think) and the cca (cold cranking amps) they put out(about 1900 cca)! i have them in my x and both of my service trucks ( i am diesel tech) i have jumped just about everything! my suggestion is to get the biggest battery (cca) that is in your vehicle battery size that you can. yes replace both/or all at the same time. your battery is your heart of your entire electrical system. under sizing your battery will make your starter and alternator work harder, build more heat due to low voltage and amperage the two worst enemy's of any electrical system regardless what vehicle type.

Jun 17, 2006 | 01:14 PM

#18

Floundered

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...and if replacing batteries, make sure both are the same, otherwise charging & discharging will be unequal and one will die much sooner than the other.

I found the article I typed about, and I must be getting old. First of all, they tested deep-cycle, not plain old starting batteries. The didn't include Die-Hard as part of the test, but dug out an old & abused Die-Hard later on and tested it for comparison (it did remarkably well). Deka and Interstate brands did the best in their offical tests against US Battery, Rolls/Surrette, Trojan, Douglas, and West Marine, which doesn't surprise me.

I've got Interstate's in my (diesel) boat, van, RV, and probably the 'X pretty soon too. The vehicle/starting batteries seem to survive frequent discharges like a deep cycle, even though they're not labelled as such.

Jun 18, 2006 | 08:55 AM

#19

toolboxjunky

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From: tx

nice add

thanks flounder i missed that point completely on battery match and size. good job dude! i appreciate someone else filling in the spaces, it does make a difference!

Jul 6, 2006 | 01:17 PM

#20

Toreador_Diesel

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From: Houston, Texas

Now I'm confused.......

Mine are on their way out and I'm considering the Optima Yellow or Red or the Motorcraft that toolboxjunky spoke of with 1900 CCA (i'm guessing 950 each). Also, the Yellow top is for deep cycliing (not sure what that means) but has less CCA than the red. Which of the three would be a safer bet in the long run?

Jul 6, 2006 | 01:27 PM

#21

Floundered

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Deep cycle are for applications where the battery will be mostly or completely discharged on a regular basis, like in a boat or RV as a "house" battery for powering up the peripheral stuff. To withstand regular drains, the internal construction is such that they can't pump our as many cranking amps. Classic tradeoff. A bit more CCA or a potentially longer life.

Jul 6, 2006 | 01:49 PM

#22

Hello

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From: Monterey Park, California

Yellow tops will crank your engine over faster than any conventional lead acid battery out there. I would have returned them back to Costco if they were in anyway inferior and costing 3X more than the Kirkland brand. They don't seem to weaken at all even sitting for a week, and take a charge very quickly.
It's like getting the Dyson vacuum cleaner for $450. The thing just out performs anything on the market. I got one of those vaccums too at Costco!

Jul 6, 2006 | 02:14 PM

#23

6L PWR

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Toreador_Diesel

I'm considering the Optima Yellow or Red or the Motorcraft 950. Also, the Yellow top is for deep cycliing (not sure what that means) but has less CCA than the red. Which of the three would be a safer bet in the long run?

Best for the long run would usually be the Optima batteries. They have a gel inside so they're designed to last longer. However, the '96 F-250 I had, came with the Motorcraft battery, obviously. That battery lasted for eight years. Sometimes you just get lucky.
I already replaced the original batteries in my '06 with Optima Yellow Tops. I did this to conserve on room for some mods. I went with the Optimas because of their design and from what I've heard about them from friends.
The Yellow Top 'Deep Cycle' holds a charge longer. It's made for things like winching or trolling motors on boats. I bought these so when I go camping, I can run some basic lights and things without having to keep the truck running as much.
The Red Top Optimas have more CCA's, but don't hold the charge as long. If you don't do any winching or anything else where you're using power without the truck running, then you would be fine with the Red Top.