Batteries...Optima alternatives?

[KidJethro]

I'm looking for a replacement for the single battery in my '90 V3500. I have a 140amp alt, 12k winch, 2 amps, etc. 454 now, 12v cummins some time next year.

Since it seems that Optima's have more or less 'fallen from grace'....who makes bad ass batteries now?

[spidr]

Odyssey.

[OTR]

http://www.odysseybattery.com


k.

[KidJethro]

Hmm...well that was quick. Appreciate it.

[Tigerchief]

There is only one: Odyssey.

You'll never go back.

Post-edit: Check out Sears, some of their top lines are actually Odysseys and a little cheaper. Diehard Platinum.

[KidJethro]

Just ordered the Odyssey 1750T. $299.38 shipped from Summit.

PHCA: 1,750A at 80°F (27°C); for 5 seconds
CCA: 930A at 0°F (-18°C)
CA/MCA: 1,175A at 32° (0°C)
HCA: 1,325 at 80°F (27°C)
Reserve capacity: 135 minutes on 25amps
Short circuit current: 5,000A
Deep cycling capability: 400 at 80% DOD
Design life: 12 years
Typical service life: 6 to 8 years

Bad ass specs.

[85blue4runner]

Optima's are not what they used to be, you made a wise choice sir...

[KidJethro]

Originally Posted by 85blue4runner

Optima's are not what they used to be, you made a wise choice sir...

Let's hope so. $300 for a battery..

[patooyee]

Originally Posted by Tigerchief

There is only one: Odyssey.

You'll never go back.

Post-edit: Check out Sears, some of their top lines are actually Odysseys and a little cheaper. Diehard Platinum.

Right, only one truly shitty battery. My Odyssey didn't last 3 months and their warranty is a fucking joke. That was about 7 years ago and I'm still running the same Yellowtop that I replaced it with now. In fact, its been sitting on a shelf in my shop the past 2 years which is suppossedly what kills Optimas yet I used it to jump my brother's buggy off a month or two ago. I'm Optima Yellow Top all the way.

As a matter of fact, my brother's buggy has also been running the same Yellow Top for probably 2 or 3 years now. I had to jump it off because I left the ignition on for a week. Once the alternator charged it back up it was good to go again.

J. J.

[KidJethro]

Haha! You crack me up Patyooee...

2 post deletes? The first wasn't all that different from the second...? wtf...lol

[patooyee]

Originally Posted by KidJethro

Haha! You crack me up Patyooee...

2 post deletes? The first wasn't all that different from the second...? wtf...lol

Haha, I kept forgetting to hit the quote checkbox. I'm a perfectionist.

J. J.

[Tigerchief]

Originally Posted by patooyee

Right, only one truly shitty battery. My Odyssey didn't last 3 months and their warranty is a fucking joke. That was about 7 years ago and I'm still running the same Yellowtop that I replaced it with now. In fact, its been sitting on a shelf in my shop the past 2 years which is suppossedly what kills Optimas yet I used it to jump my brother's buggy off a month or two ago. I'm Optima Yellow Top all the way.

As a matter of fact, my brother's buggy has also been running the same Yellow Top for probably 2 or 3 years now. I had to jump it off because I left the ignition on for a week. Once the alternator charged it back up it was good to go again.

J. J.

Good for you. Maybe you should be asking the OP why HE doesn't want an Optima?

[Jules083]

Did optima's get worse or did technology catch up to them? Everyone I know that runs them said nothing but good things about them.

[patooyee]

Originally Posted by Tigerchief

Good for you. Maybe you should be asking the OP why HE doesn't want an Optima?

Why? I don't care ... I'm not an optima rep or anything. Mainly I just hate Odyssey because they fucked me on an almost new battery years ago and I feel it is only fair that i cost them a few sales in repayment.

J. J.

[KidJethro]

I have never personally had a problem with Optima batteries. My old truggy had a red top and a yellow top hooked together with a Hell Roaring isolator/combiner thingy. I abused the hell out of that setup with my 12k winch. I don't know if that could be attributed to the batteries though. I build the rest of the system the right way. 00 welding cable for ALL the cables. 140a alt etc. Meh.



5 points to whoever can identify the PBB vendor whos shop that work is taking place in.

Anyways, I do see a LOT of red tops being in the Army. I also turn in a LOT of fucked up red tops. The only batteries we have that seem to run for ever are the Hawkers. They're fuckin huge though.

Why do I not want another Optima? 2 reasons. One, just wanted to try somethin different. Two, there has to be some truth to all the Optima bashing that has gone on recently. That, coupled with my experiences with them in the Army, influenced my decision to go with the Odyssey. Hopefully I don't regret it. We'll see. I've got 45 days left in Iraq, when I get back I'll certainly keep ya'all informed of any issues, or lack of, with the Odyssey.

[soilantgreen]

I bought Deka Intimidators by East Penn.

Our resident battery expert here (the experience 3000) insisted that East Penn was the shit when it comes to batteries. So far, I'd agree with him.

I put Intimidators in both TJs, two military 2HN batteries in the Mighty Mite, and a "regular" Deka in my F150. Love 'em.

[JF]

I have a red top in my DD and I got a good deal on it... $120 IIRC. Has done fine for ~4yrs now, can't imagine spending more on a battery. I run a pair of Interstate recons in the Scout which have worked fine for a couple years now and were only $30 ea. When they do take a dump I won't even care because they are only $30 to replace

[Tigerchief]

Originally Posted by patooyee

Why? I don't care ... I'm not an optima rep or anything. Mainly I just hate Odyssey because they fucked me on an almost new battery years ago and I feel it is only fair that i cost them a few sales in repayment.

J. J.

Fair enough. I read about someone else on another board who had the same experience. Maybe it was you?

As for optimas, I read a post by a guy that works for Johnson Controls, and asked internally what was up. Basically he said they fixed the QC problems and anything made after Nov '09 should be good to go.

Considering what KidJethro says, though, I'd think the Forces have bought many made after that and he's seeing a lot of broken ones.

IDK.

[patooyee]

Originally Posted by Tigerchief

Fair enough. I read about someone else on another board who had the same experience. Maybe it was you?

Maybe. I have been an outspoken Odyssey basher on this site ever since that experience. I don't recall posting on other boards about it though. Of course, my recollection has been known not to be the best.

I'm not going to go into depth with my story because you can search and find it if you really want. Just the people I spoke to there were so rude to me and didn't care. Not just one, EVERY ONE. I told them I would be an outspoken hater and they didn't care about that either. So I feel as though I am merely following up on a promise that means little to them at this point.

Yes, I feel as though I have been fucked by other manufacturers. No, none of them have ever cared so little or been so rude. Every other one has at least TRIED to resolve the issue. Hence my outspokeness on this one specifically. If they cared about our business wouldn't they have a username / presence here? Doesn't Optima? Or did we chase him away forever?

J. J.

[DOUG38S]

if you want a battery that is no joke take a look at rock racing battery. www.rockracingbattery.com.

initially designed for NASCAR it has held up wonderfully through the abuse of offroading.

www.rockracingbattery.com

[joefab]

Hey Jethro..... remember when you pulled that big ass trailer down that deer path with your grandpas dodge? and then I had to pull it out with an isuzu rodeo burning out the whole way! what about the time my brother tuff trucked your crawler and destroyed it in about 25 seconds! Good to see you on here! get home safe and stop by the shop!

Oh and for the money.. optima if you do get a bad one trade it in. no biggie.

[Artec]

Don't forget to mount it right!!

We make Odyssey/Sears Platinum mounts. I have the 1750 but haven't put it up on the site yet. I'll get it up in the next couple of days.

http://artecindustries.3dcartstores....unts_c_29.html

[Triaged]

I like my Exide Orbital batteries.

[mike4089]

Northstar batteries......check them out bad ass batteries with an awesome warranty

[KidJethro]

Originally Posted by joefab

Hey Jethro..... remember when you pulled that big ass trailer down that deer path with your grandpas dodge? and then I had to pull it out with an isuzu rodeo burning out the whole way! what about the time my brother tuff trucked your crawler and destroyed it in about 25 seconds! Good to see you on here! get home safe and stop by the shop!

Oh and for the money.. optima if you do get a bad one trade it in. no biggie.

No I don't remember that, I have no idea what you're talking about. Quit stalking me you weirdo. >Actually, that was pretty funny.......<

Brendon's inability to drive destroyed the crawler in 25 seconds. They don't do well as lawn darts. Then seeing you trying to take your lap with the steering column un-attached from the truck was pretty hilarious.

Originally Posted by Artec

Don't forget to mount it right!!

We make Odyssey/Sears Platinum mounts. I have the 1750 but haven't put it up on the site yet. I'll get it up in the next couple of days.

http://artecindustries.3dcartstores....unts_c_29.html

Hmmm, PBB discount? I was trying to decide what do about mounting it, I don't think the big ass 1750 is gonna fit in the stock V3500 tray. Thanks for posting.