02WS6Bird

iTrader: (2)

Optima vs. Interstate

Aftermarket alarm runs constantly

what battery are you running?

if optima...Red or Yellow Top

02WS6Bird

iTrader: (2)

any1?

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

The red top is a good battery, it is a good deep cycle battery.
The interstate I like the MTP-75 for a stock replacment, the"P" is the difference it is a high performance high cranking amperage battery like the optima.
The optima deep cycles better & recharges a little faster & the prices reflect this.

ta12sec

iTrader: (3)

I recently bought an optiam when I was rebuilding my truck. I fired up the motor to break it in and within about 2 minutes the altternator charge wire was glowing. I quickly un plugged the exciter wire. I then let the engine run for 30-35 minutes on just the battery, also running the interior lights and my high current draw electric fans.
After I shut if off I checked th battery voltage, 11.45. Im sold on optimias. As for interstates, I cant stand them Thats what we use at work and they only last about 3-4 months.

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

The optima & the interstate are made by the same company, Johnson Controlls.
They also make Die hard you can tell they all look similar.
The only difference is the spriral core in the optima is more expensive to produce.
The battery to stay away from is Exide, they can crap out in 4-5 months.
I havent had an abnormal problem w/interstate in 15+ years& they also distribute the optima's.

ta12sec

iTrader: (3)

Ill have to take a picture of a weeks worth of repalced interstates. oldest one maybe 8 months. We used to gat about 18 months out of the motercraft batterys.

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

Maybe you should get this pile of batteries & turn them in?
They offer 18 month free replacement, that'd be some money!
Are these green top batteries or what? aka super cheap-o's
Something doesn't sound right?

ta12sec

iTrader: (3)

Interstate will not warrenty our batterys, because they say they are not bad. Being that they are in ambulances we change them if they load test less then 10.0. Interstate says they are fine to 8.5 . Not that it matters even If they warrented them corprate would get a check and we never see the money. I usually just give them away when some one says I need a battery.

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

Aahh now I get it, your gonna need to run optima's no doubt for that kind of application.
Nothing can deep cycle as well.
Prolly eat alot of 135 amp alternators too huh?

FenixSS

iTrader: (3)

Where can I find Optima batteries? I've still got the stock battery, how often should they be changed?

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

I dont know what kind of outlets you have there, but alot of the mail order places carry them.

FenixSS

iTrader: (3)

Pretty much the only places around here are:

Checkers
Napa
Costco
Wal-Mart
K-Mart
Ron's Auto Parts

Oh, and how often should they be changed on a daily driven car, approx 1000 miles a month.

ta12sec

iTrader: (3)

Yeah they are dual 130 amp alternators, they last about 40k miles. Its funny the compay wont pay the 20-30 more a piece for deep cycles but they will repalce the regular ones every 4-6 months. GUess why thats why I change parts not make decisions.

jaberwaki

i use the red top on the street...
dynobatt at the track

02WS6Bird

iTrader: (2)

why 2 different batteries street and track....
how much do optimas weigh?

jaberwaki

optimas weight as much or more then stock...
switching to dyno batt at track is a 24 lbs weight saving