Battery Suggestions

Go with an Optima. There are three types, one for normal starting use, one for deep cycle and one for marine. I recommend the deep cycle. They are color coded, but darned if I can remember which is which right now.

Will do. Anyone know the battery color, and anyone else have any other suggestions?

Hank

Ok, one other question. I see that there's many different types of red top Optima's.

?target=partdetail.asp?part=ULT-9002-002http://www.streetrodstuff.com/Products/758/ Which one am I looking for? I guess the one with the highest CCA's but I'm not sure. Also, does it make a difference if I get a battery with terminals on the top and sides vs just the top?

Hank

DieHard or OPTIMA Sears sells them both. I prefer the DieHard maintenance free Gold but each their own.

http://www.>>

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 21:37:42 -0800, the following appeared in rec.autos.makers.jeep+willys, posted by "K Horner" :

Deep cycle batteries are designed for use in applications like trolling motors and golf carts. They generally have fewer and thicker plates for low-current long-discharge use, and aren't designed for high-surge-current applications like starter motors. They'll work, but not as well as batteries designed for automotive use.

Just a tip for everyone that reads this: those "sealed" batteries can die from the same death as a normal battery. If you look at those nifty top pieces of the battery that says sealed, you will see where you can pop the 1 piece cap off and under that are normal filler ports. Just some distilled water to top it off and it will last longer and work much better. The only diff between a normal and sealed battery is a slightly better vent system on the sealed that seems to conserve fluid better. But they still get low and need topping off for max power and life.

If you overcharge your batteries you will actually boil your batteries and these vents will outgas. BUT, they do have a valve that prevents moisture from getting back in...so no worries. But the gas that comes out is hydrogen. We all know Hydrogen is flammible but it's also very corrosive to electronics. So, if you are currently about to change your battery because it's died....try and determine if it was overcharged. Usually they'll be slightly bulged and you'll see some of that white crap near the caps.... If you have this, then your vehicle load might be too much on the battery and it's 'dipping' too much and requires lots of recharging....so, you might want to be sure your alternator matches your load and same with the battery.

Does it matter if I get a battery with the top posts vs top and side posts? Are the side posts just there for accessories?

I think everyone has seen the hindenberg film. 'nuff said!

Actually, a side topic.... A buddy bought a hydrogen generator kit and retuned his carborator to run off of hydrogen. All worked fine except his H-generator developed a leak in a seal and ended up blowing out his front quarterpanel on his dodge truck! It was a beater, but he's lucky it went in THAT direction and not back in to the cab!

Side posts are for clearance, some hoods will interfere with top posts. If you can get both, the side posts are nice for accessories. You could also consider running two batteries given your accessories, one starting battery, one for accessories. If you plan to add any more (i.e. winch), I would recommend a second battery.

-Brian

"Oh the humanity!!!"

-Brian

The extra posts are pretty handy for hooking up things in a Jeep. We tend to have extra lights, winches, CB's, etc. and the stock wiring is too small to handle the extra load so a direct battery connection is best.

If you are running a winch I think you have to get the extra posts on the top, not the side ones. I think I read here that the side terminals weren't internally big enough for a winch draw.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Hank wrote:

Not planning on adding a winch anytime soon, not in this battery's life anyway.

Thank you all very much for the answers, I'm heading out to Sears this afternoon to get a red-top Optima w/ side posts.

Hank

Makes you wonder about the Hydrogen powered cars.

Hank