Ignoramus14196 wrote:
On 2011-02-15, Steve W. wrote:
Larry Jaques wrote:
On Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:12:42 -0600, "Pete C."
wrote:

Larry Jaques wrote:
On Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:03:50 -0600, Ignoramus14196
wrote:

On 2011-02-14, Pete C. wrote:
Larry Jaques wrote:
On Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:34:56 -0600, Ignoramus9135
wrote:

On 2011-02-14, John wrote:
Ignoramus9135 wrote:
My truck battery is dying, and I was wondering if there is such as
thing as a "better battery", or are they all created the same. Thnks
How old is it?
2-3 years old
There may not be much warranty left, but if the store allows it, see
if you can get a different brand or style covered under warranty.
I've heard (but have no experience with) that the newer Optima ripple
sided batteries are the sturdiest.
The Optimas would be one of the AGM type batteries I noted (in a spiral
configuration).
I called and spoke to them. They do not have the exact replacement
battery, but I talked to a woman who clearly knew what she was talking
about. She told me that I need at least 615 CCA rating and that I
need to measure my battery box dimensions and see if I can get an
Optima battery that fits and matches the CCA rating.
You can usually get an extra two/three inches of depth in truck boxes.

They have batteries that are rated for starting and deep cycle duty,
which is what I need. I will try to figure it out today, if possible.
Why do you desire a deep-cycle battery in an automotive environment,
Ig? They're recharged every time you start the engine.
He's a tech addict with a lot of auxiliary loads
Fine. Add an aux battery, also non-deep-cycle. It'll be recharged
daily, too.
Run a deep cycle in a car and you will kill it in short order. They are
not designed for the high current output required by the starter. It
warps the plates and shorts them out.
The combination units will handle your typical outboard engine. They
don't work well in vehicles with large engines though, for the same reason.
If you have a vehicle with constant draw requirements you're better off
installing dual batteries with an isolator.



I thought that those optima batteries were designed for cars!

They make more than one type of Optima battery.
They make a conventional starting battery like you need in a car.
They also make a combination battery that is a marine starting and
trolling battery. The problem is that they are NOT intended for use in a
car. They are intended to start a typical outboard engine. They can
tolerate being discharged more than a starting battery but not much more.
Then you have the deep cycle type. They are intended to run something
like a trolling motor, they will deliver current over a long time and
take being discharged well. BUT they won't work long in a vehicle since
the starter draws a LOT of current and that will warp the interior
plates of the battery and short it out.

In your case you would be MUCH better off with a couple items. One a
duel battery isolator and dual batteries. AND a battery saver unit which
will shut off the current when the battery hits a set voltage level.
That will protect the batteries.


--
Steve W.
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")