My battery gave it up while I have had the car in the garage getting upgrades. The battery had been run down several times due to what I think is a short in the dash causing a constant drain. Pops the dash lights fuse when you turn on the lights. There is more to this story. But that isn't what I am posting about.

I was trying to connect my battery tender whenever I drove it. but occasionally forgot and ended up with a dead battery. It was still working when I parked the car,but I am about ready to start the car again and it is dead as a door nail.

Because of the drain on the battery I was considering an Optima yellow top deep cycle battery thinking it may be more resilient against being drained. there seems to be pros and cons to use one or not use one. I wanted to get your opinions or if anyone else has put one in their car.

I know I need to find what is draining it. I just have not been ready to pull the seats and console out again to track it down. That may be the next project.

 

I have a Optima I don't really know if there that much better for the big price tag. I just bought because they were out of the AC Delco I wanted and I had to have it now. I would just stick with AC Delco

 

I went to Costco and brought their best battery with a 3 year warranty,very reasonable price.I also installed an NRA cut off switch,which cuts off all power.It's an easy set up to the middle compartment behind the seats.That battery turns over my 427,435 even when hot.(I've lowered the compression to 10 and a half instead of 11.If you don't care about the clock and don't have a programable radio you're good to go.

 

Costco interstate batteries are a great value, and the warranty is great too. I recently had a battery drain too, after a jump the voltage went too high and must’ve messed something up inside of it. Brought it to Costco, and $40 later I had a brand new one.

I agree about the disconnect too, but the best course of action if finding and fixing your short before driving the car any more.

 

Battery's are a roll of the dice. Sometimes you get one that last for years. Sometimes you don't. And price has nothing to do with it.
I had a 2 year WalMart battery last 12 years. You just never know.

 

walmart or costco. whoever has the best price the day you go looking.

 

My vote is AC/Delco Professional series, been using them in my 'vettes for 20 years, not ever an issue.

 

I personally would not go with the Optima battery especially if you have a parasitic drain. My Ridgeline had a drain like your car. Maybe it is just me, but Optima batteries, once fully drained do not recover very well.

I went with a NAPA Legend and had good luck with it. But I must agree with 4-vettes, some batteries seem to last others are marginal.

 

I use Walmart batteries. They sell a lot of them, so you always get a fresh one. I find the physical size that I need.
Then I find the highest CCAs in that size. It is not a surprise for me to get 10 years or more from a Walmart battery.
Although these batteries come with a reasonably good warranty, I have never needed to use it.

Rick
Big Block 69

 

Group 75 Interstate battery from Costco, and a battery disconnect. And use it.

 

I like Optima but they are not the battery they use to be.

 

Also look for the round sticker on top with the month & year it was made....pick out the newest...

 

I recently purchased my new Interstate battery from Costco.
They have a great warranty, 800 CCA and it fit perfect into the battery tray.

 

Love my NON ORIGINAL, "YELLOW TOP OPTIMA" It has lived through many cold winters, very long sitting times without use, & no issues. There was a AC Delco battery in there when I got it, & it died a few years after I got it. This is my 2nd Yellow top OPTIMA ( better then the Red Top ) in almost 30 years of owning my car.
ZERO COMPLAINTS.

...

 

This is a great thread !!l

I have to comment here because I have been loyal and dedicated all my life to GM and, especially, their OEM GM Batteries in all my vehicles; until a few years ago.

However, it is nice reading comments and thoughts from other battery options, as I now have all non-GM batteries in all my vehicles.

 

I usually run cheap batteries in most vehicles. I've had great results with them over the years.

I have two Optima red tops in one of my trucks, and they've been great so far. They're damn expensive though. Almost $600 in batteries under the hood

 

I bought this ODYSEY battery for my 2005 Jeep Wrangler, the original MOPAR ( DEKA ) battery was dead in 3 1/2 yrs ( 6 mo past factory 36 mo prorated warranty ) The replacement AC DELCO Silver battery lasted less then 3ys & died. it wouldn't even take a jump just ( 6 mo ) after the 30 mo warranty ran out, ( pro rated anyway ) would have gotten .50 cents credit !!! This battery is now approx 14 + yrs old, still amazing cranking power & a 4 yr full replacement warranty. ( NOT PRO RATED BULLSHIT ) The jeep has high powered off road accy lighting & a upgraded sound system with 2 big amps / sub woofer / kicker box 10 speakers ( huge draw ) a CB & a POLICE SCANNER, STILL ALIVE !!! Yes, 15 yrs ago it was just about $350 if i recall ( but well worth it, never let me down ) Even in the dead of winter days with wind chill at -15 this past winter it started right up with NO STRAIN AT ALL !................. B E A S T !!!


Automotive Battery

Battery; Extreme Series; 65 Group Size; 12 Volt; 950 Cold Cranking Amps/ 1750 Pulse Hot Cranking Amps; Tin-Plated Brass SAE Top Automotive Terminals; 11.8 Inch Length; 7.2 Inch Width; 7-1/2 Inch Height

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Amp Hours: 74
• Cold Cranking Amps: 950
• Cranking Amps: 1750
• Group: 65
• Item Height: 7.5 Inch
• Overall Length: 11.8 Inch
• Type: Automotive
• Voltage: 12 DC
• Width: 7.2 Inch

FEATURES:

• Limited 4 Year Full Replacement Warranty
• 10 -12 Years Of Service Life
• 70 Percent Longer Cycle Than Conventional Deep Cyc. Batteries
• Can Store On Open Circuit Up To 2 Years
• Capable Of 100 Percent Recharge In 4-6 Hours
• Can Be Mounted Any Position Except Inverted
• Designed To Handle High Impact Shock/Vibrations
• Extreme Temperature Tolerant/Maintenance Free

Whether for everyday or emergency use, today’s vehicles are loaded with more electronics than would have been imaginable just a few years ago. ODYSSEY batteries have been designed to keep up with the changes. Because their plates are made of pure virgin lead (unlike the lead alloy in most batteries), we can pack in more plates. And more plates mean more plate surface area, and much more power – twice the overall power and three times the life of conventional batteries – up to 400 cycles at 80 Percent depth of discharge. ODYSSEY batteries deliver the massive starting power, rapid recovery, and amazing deep cycling capability that today’s vehicles demand.

ODYSSEY, The Extreme Battery Some batteries provide enormous cranking power. Others, deep cycle reserve power. The revolutionary ODYSSEY battery is designed to do both. How is this possible? The answer begins with flat plates made of 99.99% pure virgin lead - not lead alloy. Pure lead plates can be made thinner, so we can fit more of them in the battery. More ODYSSEY battery plates mean more plate surface area. And that means more power - twice as much as conventional batteries. In fact, ODYSSEY batteries are capable of providing engine cranking pulses in excess of 2250 amps for 5 seconds - double to triple that of equally sized conventional batteries, even at very low temperatures. And they can handle 400 charge-discharge cycles to 80% depth of discharge. This extreme combination of power and performance makes ODYSSEY batteries perfect for a range of applications, including automotive/LTV, marine, commercial, and powersports.

...

 

Gone away from the Optima batteries. Too expensive IMO. Gone to Interstate on my hot rods.

 

This is a subject of great debate just like people’s preference for motor oil or tires etc. According to Google there are 292 companies in the US that produce automotive batteries and there are three main battery manufacturers. Those are Exide, Johnson Controls and East Penn. No matter which battery you buy it’s likely that one of the big three may have made it. As 4-vettes said it’s kind of a crapshoot if you get a good one that lasts a long time or you don’t.

 

ODYSSEY batteries are manufactured by EnerSys, a global leader in stored energy solutions for automotive, military, and industrial applications. The batteries are produced by EnerSys Energy Products Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the company.

East Penn Makes DEKA

OPTIMA batteries are manufactured by Clarios, a global leader in energy storage solutions. Clarios was previously the power solutions division of Johnson Controls before becoming its own standalone company in 2019
* * ( It has been mentioned more then once on many forums that after 2019 when Johnson Controls sold the division to CLARIOS, the quality was lost & OPTIMA was no longer the OPTIMA as we all knew it.) My yellow top is pre 2019


The primary manufacturer for ACDelco batteries is Clarios (formerly Johnson Controls' battery division). Depending on the specific battery type, region, and application, some ACDelco batteries are also manufactured by Exide Technologies.


The primary manufacturers behind Interstate batteries include:

• Clarios (formerly Johnson Controls): Produces the majority of Interstate’s standard lead-acid batteries.
• East Penn Manufacturing: Manufactures many of Interstate’s AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries.
• Exide Technologies / Stryten Energy: Also supplies automotive batteries to Interstate.

The DieHard battery brand is owned by Advance Auto Parts. The physical batteries are manufactured by Clarios, which is one of the largest automotive battery suppliers in the world.



Highly recommended and standout brands include:

• Costco Interstate / Kirkland Signature: Often considered the best overall value. These are made in the exact same factories and to the same specifications as premium Interstate batteries but are usually priced 30% to 65% cheaper if you have a Costco membership. [1]
• Optima (RedTop / YellowTop): The top choice for vehicles with heavy power needs, deep cycling, or brutal driving conditions. Famous for their SpiralCell AGM technology, they are highly resistant to vibration.
• ACDelco Gold AGM: Highly recommended by experts for daily drivers and vehicles equipped with stop-start engine systems. They offer OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) quality at aftermarket pricing.
• DieHard (Advanced Gold/Platinum): A long-trusted automotive name offering Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology. They are great for modern cars with high-drain electrical accessories like backup cameras and heated seats.
• Odyssey: Widely regarded as a premium, heavy-duty battery for maximum lifespan and severe reliability. They feature an expensive upfront cost but boast exceptional cold-cranking capabilities.
• Deka: Made in the USA, these batteries have a long-standing track record for durability and consistency, especially in fleet and heavy-duty vehicles.

When buying a new battery, always check your vehicle's required Group Size and consider upgrading to an AGM battery if your car is relatively new and packed with complex electronics.


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