Battery options,

[solitaire]

Hi Guys,

I have a rather specific circumstance that I am hoping means for an easy answer

(I am also at work and do not have time to spend searching but would like to pick a battery up on the way home if possible - so if this could have been resolved with a search I am sorry)

I want to get a new battery for my ae92 levin, I want something that can handle being discharged and can handle a sub etc - something that can also handle only being driven every few weeks.

Would one of those optima batteries fit the bill? A yellow one? Any other recomendations? would rather not have another battery die because it discharged and was never the same again.

and again sorry for not searching, i normally try to search.

thanks

dave

[sergei]

if you have $$$ yellow top optima will do.
Don't constantly charge it though (or get a smart charger that stops charging). Also make sure that clamps don't apply too much lateral force on the terminals. I have 2 dud yellow top because casing cracked around terminals and it gel was exposed to weather.
Those yellow top can supply phenomenal amount of current compared to size they are (something along of 1000cca), and occasionally you can discharge it (but I would suggest refraining from deepcycle use).

They are used also in electric go-karts (that kind usage stresses the battery really badly), and seem to fare ok..

[Bling]

What sort of budget?

I'm not sure many batteries like going dead flat, so just buy a cheap charger and top it up if you're not going to use it for ages. I ran a couple subs off just a normal spec battery without a problem. Current battery is from supercheap and was about $120, also have another battery Exide I think that I got from the warehouse for about the same $$$. Would probably be the exact same sized battery as you'd get for your corolla.

Others may have more experience with battery requirements for sound setups though.

[sergei]

I'm not sure many batteries like going dead flat, so just buy a cheap charger and top it up if you're not going to use it for ages.

Cheap charger on constant charge will kill your battery.
Excess charge will go into electrolysis of the electrolyte and eventually the battery will be dry. It is worse for gel type, since those batteries meant to be closed system.

[solitaire]

cool thanks guys, I just dont want to spend another hundred on a wet cell, i've had really bad luck with them - it will get discharged at some point (by accident) so i want something that will handle it.

would an optima red be ok or definitely yellow?

cheers

dave

[Bling]

Charging a battery 24/7 is just silly. When I said to "top it up" I didn't mean never take it off the charger Sergei....

What are the prices like between battery types? Mine usually last years. In fact I got a reconditioned one when I got the car and it lasted 6 years!

[Grrrrrrr!]

cool thanks guys, I just dont want to spend another hundred on a wet cell, i've had really bad luck with them - it will get discharged at some point (by accident) so i want something that will handle it.

If you mean it become discharged and left that way for a couple of weeks, you are SOL. Lead acid batteries (Wet, Gel or AGM) don't like it, and will die.

If you mean will become discharged and get fully charged the next day then get a deep cycle battery... except they don't usually like high discharge rates... like starting a car... and they are more expensive.

And by discharged, i mean no less than 10.5 volts at terminals under light load. Discharge them to much and they will die.

Best option is to drive car long enough to ensure battery is fully charged, disconnect negative battery terminal until next time you want to use it. Oh, and park facing downhill if you are cranking sounds while parked up.

[sergei]

Charging a battery 24/7 is just silly. When I said to "top it up" I didn't mean never take it off the charger Sergei....

What are the prices like between battery types? Mine usually last years. In fact I got a reconditioned one when I got the car and it lasted 6 years!

A better charger is fine to leave always hooked up. Some chargers are designed to work as top-op charger. But this must be made sure of (that you have right charger), before leaving 24/7 .

Those cheap ass $25 arlec chargers are definitely not.

[DeeCee]

Endurant Crankmaster 'yellowtop' CM750AGM
- endurant replacement for the Optima with side and top mounted terminals
- rating has gone up to 800CCA
- half the price of an Optima (around $400)
- sealed gel

Have sourced these for a couple of friends and they couldn't be happier

[allencr]

really bad luck with them - it will get discharged at some point (by accident) so i want something that will handle it.

It'd better to change your luck by not having anymore 'accident', so you won't have to find out that a different battery is rarely a cure.

[MrOizo]

Endurant Crankmaster 'yellowtop' CM750AGM
- endurant replacement for the Optima with side and top mounted terminals
- rating has gone up to 800CCA
- half the price of an Optima (around $400)
- sealed gel

Have sourced these for a couple of friends and they couldn't be happier

Can you or someone do a group buy on these at all?
Done a quick search and many are fizzing about these.
Cheers!