just was wondering if anyone has tried one of the dry cell betterys? I saw several streetrods at a show recently that had them and they acted like they were the best thing they ever had and very lite weight. Just curious, i am needing a battery and didn't know if this might be something to try.

 

I just put one in about a month ago and so far I like it . my car would not start after letting the car sit for a week with the lead acid batt. I have had no problems starting the car now even after 2 weeks of sitting in the garage . so the dry cell worked for me.

 

Get you a Optima Red Top. When I have to replace any battery I replace with Optima. You'll love it. An you'll love the warrantee with them..

 

And from reading post here on the forum,,,you will need it!! Seen MANY more post of problems with red tops than success stories!! Now I'm sure the squeaky wheel gets the grease,,and I'm sure there are satisfied red toppers out there,,but for what they cost vs the amount of trouble I wouldn't bother!!There have been posts about the Odyssey PC925 that is much smaller and lighter,,and they were happy. Similar in price to Optima as well. Might want to check them out!!

 

One of the most important specs on a replacement battery is RCA - reserve cranking amps. Corvettes need 100 RCA. The problem with all of these lightweight small batteries is the RCA is down around 500 and the CCA - cold cranking amps is also in the 450-500 range. These batteries will have a hard time starting the car.

RCA is more important than CCA.

Unless you are racing the car and weight is the biggest concern, then I would stay with either a traditional lead acid battery or a spiral cell lead acid battery.

 

You can check out the deka intimidator batteries,i just put 1 in my 03 zo6 and really like it. It has 120 rc and and more then enough cca to do the job,i researched for about a month before deciding on it cuz it seemed optimas had to many bad reviews lately.

 

I've been using a yellow top Optima for many years with no issues so far.

 

Check out Odyssey Batteries:

http://www.odysseybattery.com/battspecs.html

I've got the little PC680 in my DD '02 Z.

It works great with a few "common sense" points to note... It's small, so no extra reserve for running the stereo and accessories with the engine off. Also, in colder temperatures it seems to work a little harder to crank over the engine (I've used it down to just below freezing). It still starts the car OK, but the voltage can drop low enough while cranking that the "Average Fuel Economy" on the DIC will reset. The car has started every time, though, and never struggles to start.

Just to test it out, when I first installed it I started and stopped the engine 12 times in about one minute. It passed the test, though this was done in warmer summer temperatures... I doubt it would be able to do this below freezing.

This battery weighs just over 15lbs, which is less than half of a conventional battery's 35-40lb weight. Also, this battery sat in my basement for three years between me buying it and actually getting it installed in the car, no charging, no tending. I charged it (it took very little to charge it), threw it in the car and it worked great. The guy who stores my car for the winter told me that after sitting all winter the battery was still fully charged this spring (wouldn't accept any charge from his charger), so he threw it in and it fired the car right up - he couldn't believe it!

They also have a PC925 that has about 50% more capacity and cranking current and still weighs less than a conventional battery if the little PC680 makes you nervous. Search the forum for these batteries, I'm sure there's lots of great info on installing them.

I'm happy with the PC680 and I can't believe I let it sit so long before trying it out. For someone in a warmer climate (I'm in Ontario, Canada) I'd reccomend it almost without reservation to anyone with the common sense not to drain it using the radio with the engine off.

 

I was walking through the local Farm and Fleet last week and noticed a rebadged Deka Intimidator. (785 cca, 120 reserve) They had it on sell for $100.00 with rebate. I could not pass it up. It is a boat anchor, 40 plus lbs., but weight is not an issue with me.

 

me too. would buy another one the next time i need a battery, and plan to buy one when my wife's hemi magnum needs a replacement. i've had nothing but good luck with mine.

 

I have also been using the Odyssey PC680 for 1.5 years with no issues. My car is a weekend toy and I keep it on a float charger.
Good luck