Are all "Batterries" equal? I need to purchase one...

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I bought a new Odyssey deep cycle battery for my '46 when I had it rewired last August. It just recently died! I am SO pissed about it. I tried trickle charging it when it got a bit low and that worked once. Then I left it with a 15 amp charge on it for several hours out of frustration, it wouldn't turn over my truck. Finally I put my charger on the 100 amp setting which has never failed to start any other car with a dead battery I have used it on. It didn't start. These things are gel mat batteries I think and I feel screwed. Bought it online so I suspect getting my money will be a PITA. Plus? Since it is smaller than a conventional battery I mounted it under the seat with a disconnect switch. Bad decision. Yes, the battery was always disconnected and STILL it went dead even though it got periodically used. I can't just go get a conventional battery and replace it. DOH!

Anyone know anything about getting these things to re-charge? I've heard to short circuit them intentionally for moment, etc.

I'm not sure that would be a very goood idea.

[7T2]

For what it's worth, there IS a proper way to charge an Optima, especially the yellow tops. I know you can search and find it on the internet, but the basic rule of thumb I remember is to never charge them at a rate over 10 amps, ie - no jump starting or hooking them up to the 200 amp starter circuit of your charger.

Several years ago I was running a dual battery setup on my ambulance - red top for starting/normal vehicle circuits and yellow top for all the lights and sirens. Something was draining the batteries over time, so I would get frustrated when I wanted to go somewhere in it and blast them with the big battery charger/starter. After one season this killed both batteries to where they wouldn't take a charge. I was able to get the red top replaced under warranty, but the yellow top only has a one year warranty and that was expired so I ended up with a $150 doorstop. 2 years later I still have it, and nothing will bring it back to life (I still try from time to time). The replacement red top has worked flawlessly ever since I got it, and I only charge it slowly when it needs it.

If someone knows how to bring a yellow top back from the dead I am all ears. I just can't bring myself to trade it in for a $10 core charge.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by mdwilf

interstate are the best - i just replaced the [b]14 year old [b] one in one of my trucks.

Walmart batteries are total trash - i can't count the times i've lifted a hood, saw a walmart battery & said without any further testing "there's your problem - trust me - get a better battery" and been proven right. Auto zone batteries aren't too much better.

x2

[So.Cal.Super]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I bought a new Odyssey deep cycle battery for my '46 when I had it rewired last August. It just recently died! I am SO pissed about it. I tried trickle charging it when it got a bit low and that worked once. Then I left it with a 15 amp charge on it for several hours out of frustration, it wouldn't turn over my truck. Finally I put my charger on the 100 amp setting which has never failed to start any other car with a dead battery I have used it on. It didn't start. These things are gel mat batteries I think and I feel screwed. Bought it online so I suspect getting my money will be a PITA. Plus? Since it is smaller than a conventional battery I mounted it under the seat with a disconnect switch. Bad decision. Yes, the battery was always disconnected and STILL it went dead even though it got periodically used. I can't just go get a conventional battery and replace it. DOH!

Anyone know anything about getting these things to re-charge? I've heard to short circuit them intentionally for moment, etc.

I've never heard of Short Circuiting a battery to recharge it but I have heard of the Odyssey Going dead fairly fast. The Total Power (similar AGM) I have in the dune buggy is small and mounted on its side. my friend who sells both of these battery's told me you have to keep a trickle charger on it in the off season or it will die. And even though you have a disconnect on it. (Disconnect ground or positive?) A battery will discharge at a certain rate..

While I was writing this I went to odyssey site and found the owners manual.
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/file...M-006_0208.pdf

It says you can store them for one year in 95 degree weather...
and that goes against everything I have heard on a consumer level.

Try giving them a call direct. they have a 3 year warranty and even without a receipt the battery will be dated coded. hopefully they will take care of it.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by So.Cal.Super

I've never heard of Short Circuiting a battery to recharge it but I have heard of the Odyssey Going dead fairly fast. The Total Power (similar AGM) I have in the dune buggy is small and mounted on its side. my friend who sells both of these battery's told me you have to keep a trickle charger on it in the off season or it will die. And even though you have a disconnect on it. (Disconnect ground or positive?) A battery will discharge at a certain rate..

While I was writing this I went to odyssey site and found the owners manual.
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/file...M-006_0208.pdf

It says you can store them for one year in 95 degree weather...
and that goes against everything I have heard on a consumer level.

Try giving them a call direct. they have a 3 year warranty and even without a receipt the battery will be dated coded. hopefully they will take care of it.

I was also told the same. I bought a Battery Maintainer which privides the battery a tickle charge which will keep the battery from going dead during long times of unuse.

[So.Cal.Super]

Originally Posted by 70cst

I was also told the same. I bought a Battery Maintainer which privides the battery a tickle charge which will keep the battery from going dead during long times of unuse.

Now a days it just seems simple. I have seen battery tenders on sale for as low as $20.00. I also keep my Motorcycle on one in the winter.

My Co-workers vette will completely drain his Battery in 2 weeks because of all the computers amp draw. I offered to drive it for him on the weekends when he goes on vacation..... when that didn't work I turned him onto a battery tender and all is well...

I love those things!