Dead battery

Jgrden · 10-23-2011, 06:10 PM

Battery dead. What are we using these days?

BlueStreak · 10-23-2011, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgrden

Battery dead. What are we using these days?

For what it is worth, I have a Yellow Optima.

shakemyhand · 10-23-2011, 06:16 PM

I went with the AC Delco top of the line, the original lasted 7 yrs. I figured its hard to beat that.

REBEL · 10-23-2011, 06:20 PM

My two year old red top Optima is on the charger the past two days at 2 amps. If she won't start in morning I'm out shopping also.

Jgrden · 10-23-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REBEL

My two year old red top Optima is on the charger the past two days at 2 amps. If she won't start in morning I'm out shopping also.

"North shore of lake Erie", say, I grew up on the South side of lake Erie and paid dearly with 8' snow drifts, howling winds, muddy Springs, windy April and wonderful summers.

It sounds as thought the Red Top Optima is not the choice. Thank you for saving me grief.

John

TLC5 in CT · 10-23-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakemyhand

I went with the AC Delco top of the line, the original lasted 7 yrs. I figured its hard to beat that.

My original Delco battery is still working good. It is 5 1/2 yrs. old.

Tom Savini · 10-23-2011, 06:43 PM

I had a yellow top in a 71 El Camino for 11 years and it was still going strong when I sold that toy. I just put one in the 01 WS6 Trans Am we have and hope it's just half as good

I think I'll be shopping for one to fit the SSR soon. If anyone knows of something better lets hear it.

Jgrden · 10-23-2011, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Savini

I had a yellow top in a 71 El Camino for 11 years and it was still going strong when I sold that toy. I just put one in the 01 WS6 Trans Am we have and hope it's just half as good

I think I'll be shopping for one to fit the SSR soon. If anyone knows of something better lets hear it.

What is behind the distinction of the Yellow top? Who makes them?

BlueStreak · 10-23-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgrden

What is behind the distinction of the Yellow top? Who makes them?

Yellow top is a deep cycle for boats , and such. The auto parts guy tried to talk me out of it. Have had one in my Yukon for several years and am happy. It can go low and recover.

RUN ROD RUN · 10-23-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

Yellow top is a deep cycle for boats , and such. The auto parts guy tried to talk me out of it. Have had one in my Yukon for several years and am happy. It can go low and recover.

Sorry for the hi-jack but I do have a question ... why isn't it common to see deep cycle battery in vehicles .... or is it & I'm not aware of it?

Tom Savini · 10-23-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Savini

I had a yellow top in a 71 El Camino for 11 years and it was still going strong when I sold that toy. I just put one in the 01 WS6 Trans Am we have and hope it's just half as good

I think I'll be shopping for one to fit the SSR soon. If anyone knows of something better lets hear it.

It's an Optima they come Yellow and red top I think the red is more for race cars.

Jgrden · 10-23-2011, 07:23 PM

What are those batteries that look like six little cylinders with a green top???

BlueStreak · 10-23-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

Sorry for the hi-jack but I do have a question ... why isn't it common to see deep cycle battery in vehicles .... or is it & I'm not aware of it?

The auto parts guy told me it is because the alternators are not big enough to fully charge them. I do not believe that

so I have no answer for you.

DOOPHUS · 10-23-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

For what it is worth, I have a Yellow Optima.

, BlueStreak . . . I've been using Optimas for years and have never been disappointed. Sam's Club has some very good prices on them.

The original Delco in Doophus didn't even make it to 3 years although the replacement is doing much better. Possibly due to the Battery Tender Plus.

ohhawk · 10-23-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLC5 in CT

My original Delco battery is still working good. It is 5 1/2 yrs. old.

As I'm sure you've read on this site many times you're likely entering the high risk area with the 5 1/2 yr old battery. Mine didn't give any signs of fading either (many don't) but went to start it up this summer and no go. Fortunately it was in the garage so I went to the friendly Chevy dealer and picked up a Delco and changed it out at home. There are so many variables at work that it's hard to predict battery life from vehicle to vehicle.

TLC5 in CT · 10-24-2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohhawk

As I'm sure you've read on this site many times you're likely entering the high risk area with the 5 1/2 yr old battery. Mine didn't give any signs of fading either (many don't) but went to start it up this summer and no go. Fortunately it was in the garage so I went to the friendly Chevy dealer and picked up a Delco and changed it out at home. There are so many variables at work that it's hard to predict battery life from vehicle to vehicle.

Well I have to admit I've been thinking about it's remaining life as well. As every 'R' owner knows, it's a bit more of a hassle to change it versus most vehicles. As such, I think I will replace it before it freezing temps start here. Thanks for nudging my thoughts.

ohhawk · 10-24-2011, 08:10 AM

I went through the same thought process but being hard headed I waited and was lucky, fortunately. The change isn't bad at all just have the right size wrenches handy and you'll have it licked. There are some posts buried in this site that will walk you right through it......as you probably know.

Good luck and here's to a mild winter for both of us.

Jgrden · 10-24-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgrden

What are those batteries that look like six little cylinders with a green top???

Forget I asked, I'll look it up myself.

BlueStreak · 10-24-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jgrden

Forget I asked, I'll look it up myself.

I did not find a Green top but I think this is the battery type you are talking about.

GeniusFind

kwhopper89 · 10-24-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakemyhand

I went with the AC Delco top of the line, the original lasted 7 yrs. I figured its hard to beat that.

I did too - the dealer price was about what Walmart or the chain supply stores charge - did get the 7 year (rather than 6) year battery for about $5 more.

Very easy to replace - heck I even did my own! (Dealership would have - but I had let the old battery crap out too far!)

Jgrden · 10-24-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

I did not find a Green top but I think this is the battery type you are talking about.

GeniusFind

Bingo !!! That what I was talking about. No green top, but that IS the battery.
Thank you.
John

DOOPHUS · 10-24-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

I did not find a Green top but I think this is the battery type you are talking about.

Looks more like a SIX PACK in hiding to me.

! ! ! ! ! !

Jgrden · 10-24-2011, 06:07 PM

Aha, bought a battery and installed it in fifteen minutes. Anyone beat that time??

TLC5 in CT · 10-24-2011, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohhawk

I went through the same thought process but being hard headed I waited and was lucky, fortunately. The change isn't bad at all just have the right size wrenches handy and you'll have it licked. There are some posts buried in this site that will walk you right through it......as you probably know.

Good luck and here's to a mild winter for both of us.

I installed a spare tire and thus had to relocate my battery behind the right rear wheel. As such, it's more of a hassle to change versus the original location.

Regarding weather, we may get our first taster of snow flurries this weekend per the forecasters.

Jgrden · 10-24-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLC5 in CT

I installed a spare tire and thus had to relocate my battery behind the right rear wheel. As such, it's more of a hassle to change versus the original location.

Regarding weather, we may get our first taster of snow flurries this weekend per the forecasters.

No no, let's get back to the fifteen minute battery change. I did not do it in the snow.

Mr T · 10-24-2011, 06:42 PM

Are the Optima Batteries an exact fit? Thought I read that alterations had to be made cause they didn't fit the box & the cables didn't reach?

Jgrden · 10-24-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr T

Are the Optima Batteries an exact fit? Thought I read that alterations had to be made cause they didn't fit the box & the cables didn't reach?

No no, no Optima, I am talking about the fifteen minute change with no snow.

BlueStreak · 10-24-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr T

Are the Optima Batteries an exact fit? Thought I read that alterations had to be made cause they didn't fit the box & the cables didn't reach?

They work fine in Mike's battery box after the spare tire kit install.

yellow bear · 10-24-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

Sorry for the hi-jack but I do have a question ... why isn't it common to see deep cycle battery in vehicles .... or is it & I'm not aware of it?

deep cycle is Usually for a slow draw type application such as a lite or trolling motor or entertainment system. the other type is cold crank.

a sissie draw, or a Manly draw....

BlueStreak · 10-24-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellow bear

deep cycle is Usually for a slow draw type application such as a lite or trolling motor or entertainment system. the other type is cold crank.

a sissie draw, or a Manly draw....

So you are saying I made the wrong choice? You know I trust your judgement.