I would like to get everyone feedback on which is the best battery on the market to buy. This one will be placed in the trunk of my 32 and would also like to have it in an amo box. Any help and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks Frenchy
I've had good luck with the red top Optima battery;been using it for two years now(so far).I have one electric wiper,electric fuel pump,gauges and lights.
Optima batteries haven't had the best reputation of late, so I would probably find something else. I personally have had great luck with house brand batteries from Costco. Used to be made by Johnson Controls. Excellent warranty thats honored no questions asked. Good bang for the buck. Whatever battery you choose should be fine in an ammo case if you take precautions to tie it down properly and vent it. The metal of the case should help it shed heat. Nothing wrong with a few well placed louvers for venting it either, if it's not placed inside the passenger compartment.
I've never had any problems with optima batterys and have put them through some shit. You can put any battery in that ammo box just make sure it is not sealed completly(vent), I would just say make sure you have room to service your battery in that box. I like the louver idea too.
What ever brand you use make sure it is a gel battery. Liquid acid batteries don,t do well enclosed! The vapors will eventually cause corrosion of any close metal parts. I had to switch up because the marine battery case in my trunk was bolted through the trunk pan and the bolts and washers looked like chia pets with all the corrosion going on.....
Totally agree with the recommendations for a gel battery if enclosed and venting. Batteries are nasty little things. On the other hand, I have had excellent results from Walmartl batteries. Yeah, I know, I hate shopping there and would love to have better choices-but their batteries are a fair price, seem to be well made, exchanged without a hassle, hold up, most of the time, really well and look like a battery should (black). What more do you want? And my battery is under the car, up near the frame rail and in front of the rear axle,so I don't enjoy changing it. If your battery will not be readily accessible, I'd strongly recommend a set of remote jumper posts. Ron Francis and others sell these.
I'm running an Optima Red Top. Had it about 2 years with no problems. I wanted a gel because it's inside the car (battery box behind the back seat).
Its a freakin battery folks, use your money for cool stuff and buy the cheapest battery you can find that has a warranty! Just my .02
I put a Red Top in my Jeep in June and it lasted less than a month. Hensley Batteries replaced it with a house brand made in the USA and informed me that Optimas made in Mexico in the past year have presented problems. I have at least five Optimas that were made in the USA that have worked fine.
I used the heavy duty bright ass yellow battery they sell at walmart for the flatty in my roadster. they were out of stock on anything else that fit. cost around $75 and has worked well for the last few years. my uncle has been thru two optima gel cells in his rocket powered roadster. they're junk IMO
My brother worked for Advance Auto Parts for eight years, he wouldn't sell an Optima battery if he could get out of it, he said he was tired of replacing them within a year.
I have had no lucky with Optima batteries. Pulled TWO out of Big Olds this summer and replaced with one from O'Reilys. No issues what so ever now. Optima rep at the GG Columbus event lied right to my face. Won't use another Optima battery in any of my cars ever. A number of my vendor pals have stopped carry them as well. Just too many issues and hassles with replacements.
Ive run Optima batteries in a few of my O/T rides..nothing but an expensive PITA.. you can say all you want about them if you love them...but im done being F-ed by Optima..wouldnt use one if they sent it to me free.. all of the ones i had crapped out when i needed them the most...and one of them they screwed with me until the warrenty was 1 day over the limit..the others died within months of them being out of warrenty.. But i do own a boat and need an anchor I get mine at Car Quest..normal lead acid..work great and they stand behind their warrenty glad i havent had to even deal with that end of it..yet, they are still going ..one of them so far 5 years
Odyssey batteries are a dry cell which means no nasty stuff to leak out or vent. Had one in my truck and old airplane for 5 years each, so far so good. Dale
Hey Lizard, what kind of old airplane you drivin'? I love old airplanes as much as these old hotrods. Thanks...DD
I recently did a pretty in-depth study on batteries and found a lot of complaints from optima owners in recent months. I finally went with a Sears Platinum I battery ($207.00) that is mounted in the rear of the Vicky. Better specs & warranty than the Optima or Exide - and Sears stores all over the country if I ever need quick service. Terry
i usually go for cheap too. the battery in my `28 tudor is a cheap one from Napa and i just realized it is 9 years old and holding up fine. since i just said that it will now go to crap. it's mounted in a stainless steel battery box i made..and yes it is vented the battery in my `36 is also a cheap one from Napa . $49 3 years ago and it's mounted in a boat battery box . i think it has a 5 year warranty
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