Hey guys, I am in the market for a new battery. I usually throw a redtop optima in all my vehicles, however my truck has a generator instead of an alternator. Is this going to be a problem at all for the optima?
It wont make a difference if the Optima is hooked to a generator or an alternator. The life of the battery is gonna be determined by the quality of the battery. I have an old US made Optima Red Top from around 2005 that has performed perfectly over the past 13 years in my Y-block, generator fed Model A PU. I have gone thru 2 Mexico made Optima Red Tops in the past 10 years in my Y-block, alternator fed 57 Ford. I trickle charge them over the winters months as a precaution, but you probably don't have that issue.
Yea I know the quality has gone downhill quite a bit but then again all batteries seem to be lasting less, so idk...but this helps, I didnt think it would matter but a buddy of mine was adament that it would ruin the battery.
Why spend all that money on an Optima? I but the cheapest battery I an find. You'll come out way ahead in the long run.
Generators were replaced by alternators for some good reasons. A big one was the fact that generators do little to no charging at slow idle RPM and stop and go driving. But, so long as the generator is in good shape and regulator output is in spec it should be no problem, the Optima are supposed to be very good about holding their voltage over long periods, a common problem in the "collector car" world. Can maximize the service life and performance of any battery by routine maintenance and charging. Keep it topped off, neither generators nor even alternators are particularly good in that regard. The smart chargers and tenders definitely help keep batteries from sulfation, the #1 battery killer.
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