Time for a new battery, but what one?

[chucks1]

Picked up my new red top tonight. Close to $200 when all was said and done. I'm thinking WallyWorld or Costco might get a closer look next time around. For now I was happy just to find something that fit in the blasted battery box and would hopefully not have to come back out for quite some time. SAE cable will be hooked back up and the battery tender in place soon.

[Moritz55]

Chucks1, when you install the new one.. start the car and see if you are getting 14.5-14.7volts at the battery. Once engine idles normally (800-900rpm) and fully warmed up with lights on and fans running .. you should see ~13.0-13.4volts at the battery.
Just confirm the alternator is putting out nicely and well grounded .

Useful link: Voltage drop when the fan is on

Many thanks.....

[chucks1]

Originally Posted by Moritz55

Chucks1, when you install the new one.. start the car and see if you are getting 14.5-14.7volts at the battery. Once engine idles normally (800-900rpm) and fully warmed up with lights on and fans running .. you should see ~13.0-13.4volts at the battery.
Just confirm the alternator is putting out nicely and well grounded .

Useful link: Voltage drop when the fan is on

Many thanks.....

Thanks for the suggestion Mark. My last battery was actually still good (although 10 years old) so this replacement is more of a preemptive strike than anything else, but I'll definitely check the voltage once I'm ready to actually start the thing up.

[Gilach1]

[quote=ERA174;1490318]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Most batteries are going from a 3yr-full+2yr-prorated to a flat 3. In Vegas with the heat they barely last 3 years, so we buy the cheapest 3 year battery we can get and for my truck with a group 65 that has been Walmart for the past two.

I've been using the Walmart EverStart Maxx for the past 10+ years. They last at least 5 years in my daily drivers and have a full replacement warranty for 3 years. The group 65 is rated for 850 cca and when new they test at around 1000 cca. The group 65 EverStart Maxx was given an above average rating by one of the consumer testing companies and sells for around $100. I've only had one out of about eight batteries that gave up the ghost within the warranty period and that was on my snow plow truck that sat for long periods between use. So, I highly recommend the EverStart Maxx, although if it is going into an occasionally used vehicle make sure you have a battery smart charger connected during non use/storage.

EverStart are made by Johnson Controls for Walmart.

[1985 CCX]

I would suggest a shut off switch no matter what, just a generic easy to use version.
Battery, well I have bought several expensive batteries in the past that never last and have now been running std Interstate now for at least 5 years wo issue.
I would say with a shut off switch your battery choice is more visual as it will last....

[Blas]

Motorcraft has a battery that works perfectly. Good cranking amps, etc.
just be extra careful you order the correct terminal orientation on what ever battery you purchase and be sure you connect it properly. (Don’t laugh-it happens) They also make a nice tool that makes removal and installation easy.
Contact me if you need the info on the tool.
Blas

[mln385]

Optima red top just bought new one to replace the old 13 year old one.

[Azhinoon]

Odyssey this time. More cranking amp hours than red top for roughly same cost. Previously two red tops lasting 6 or 7 years,

[Bill Kesner]

Chuck,

Running 2 6V Optima Red Tops. Just had to replace 1 of them since 2006, so its lasted for nearly 15 years. The other was just recharged and still working at full capacity!

- Bill -

[chucks1]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and suggestions. I ended up with another red top as the path of least resistance, especially after having tried another battery that I ended up having to pull back out of my battery box (anyone with an SPF knows about these things). Hopefully this Optima gives me another 10+ years of life like the last one did.