New Battery Questions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 200
Likes: 22
From: Old Greenwich CT
New Battery Questions
Can anybody recommend a battery for my 72 SB? I only drive it on weekends and the battery is some POS that came with the car. I use a battery tender, but I was thinking of getting an Optima. Any suggestions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
An Optima is an excellent battery but not really necessary. In fact, last year Consumer Reports did a test of batteries (though the Optima was not included), and the results were surprising. I have always had high regard for Interstate batteries...they were not that highly rated. They determined their Best Buy battery was the Maxx battery sold by Wal Mart. It's the one in the yellow case.
NAPA's best battery was highly rated as well but was significantly more expensive than Wal Mart's.
NAPA's best battery was highly rated as well but was significantly more expensive than Wal Mart's.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
You really don't need a Optima but you do need a good battery - I don't think brand makes any difference - about $80 - look at the specs - you need good cranking amps, and storage amps - look at various threads - do a search - I drive my sb on weekends with no problems, no tender.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
I run Goodyear tires and Die Hard Batteries. store it for the winter no charger no start in the middle of the season starts up three yrs in A row so far .I put in A new one every 4 years. but have not re-placed me current one for 5 yrs now. I wonder how the die hard stacks up in quality????
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
To be more specific - in my '75 I have an Interstate battery with 650CCA and 850CA - that means CCA =cold cranking amps CA =cranking amps - and I've had it for 6+ years with no tender or jumps at all.
If it takes a while for the car to start/turn over you are using juice and if you don't have enough in storage the battery will need recharging. Then make sure the alternator is working propertly, and get a tune-up as your car will start quicker.
If it takes a while for the car to start/turn over you are using juice and if you don't have enough in storage the battery will need recharging. Then make sure the alternator is working propertly, and get a tune-up as your car will start quicker.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Your battery is only as good as your electrical system. If you have electrical problems a new battery will not correct them. If you use a battery tender and disconnect from the vehicle during winter storage, then it probably doesn't matter what manufacture you use. AC Delco has never let me down. 
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
I have a five year old Duralast Gold in my vette (purchased by PO). The car sat for well over a year without being started. When I purchased it, I took the battery in for a full charge and it has been running strong every since.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Senior Member since 1492
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
However, once the electric fans are running the battery doesn't have enough umpf to start the engine with the fans running. I trickle charged the battery fully but still not much help when the fans are running.
Never tried an Optima, I like buying the $60-$100 batteries with the highest CC amps. Once I got six years out of one. I've heard a lot of both good & bad about the Optima's. Just don't like spending $200 on a battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If your battery is fully charged and still has problems starting when your electric fans are running, you have a defect in the electrical system somewhere....most likely a bad connection, degraded wiring, worn-out starter solenoid, or weak battery that 'appears' to be charged but doesn't supply adequate amperage. Check the main ground wire between starter mounting bracket and engine mount bracket.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I have a Optima red top it lasted a year now I have to keep a charger on the POS or it won't start after a day or two it's more likely a short plus it has a car alarm too so there is probably the battery drain there 
How can you tell if a battery is a gel cell or wet and what is a Optima red top?
How can you tell if a battery is a gel cell or wet and what is a Optima red top?
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Az
St. Jude Donor '09
We use Duracel. It starts once every couple of weeks with out a problem.
Optima is a unique design called Spiralcell Technology and provides many features not available in ordinary batteries, such as:
More plate surface, closer plate spacing and the ability to use high purity lead. RESULTING IN: Low internal resistance. This low resistance gives you more power in a smaller box, the ability to recharge much faster, and higher and cleaner voltage characteristics during discharge.
Immobilized plates (locked in place). RESULTING IN: Improved vibration resistance, no shedding of active paste material, no gradual loss of power and capacity as the battery ages. This gives you a battery that lasts longer and performs better throughout its life.
Optima is a unique design called Spiralcell Technology and provides many features not available in ordinary batteries, such as:
More plate surface, closer plate spacing and the ability to use high purity lead. RESULTING IN: Low internal resistance. This low resistance gives you more power in a smaller box, the ability to recharge much faster, and higher and cleaner voltage characteristics during discharge.
Immobilized plates (locked in place). RESULTING IN: Improved vibration resistance, no shedding of active paste material, no gradual loss of power and capacity as the battery ages. This gives you a battery that lasts longer and performs better throughout its life.