Car Batteries

[NT TURBO]

Ok whos got some battery knowledge?

The T's cooked her first battery, someone said bosch arent bad anyone know which are the better brands....like one that lasts more than 2 weeks past warranty

[DallasQLD]

Both Oddysey and Varley are very good. Exide are good as well. Ite the heat that probably killed it. that's why taxis put em in the boot.

[HUSTLER]

IF you want the ultimate in batt, buy optima, its what all the sound off guys use. It may be 400 odd bucks, but its well worth it!! And the yellow top Optimas look the good too!!

[mickq]

Why is the battery fried? If you didnt cause it yourself, then it may be a warrantee claim.

I think the best batteries in the world are Odyssey.

They are military spec batteries, and dont need any maintenance. There is no free acid slopping about in them, so they can be mounted any way except completely upside down. (You can do them upside down but they dont perform as well).

They are very, very good.

I cant remember who sells them in Oz, but they are definitely available here.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/index.htm is their main site for info.

To pick which one suits, if the dealer cant tell you just look at your current battery and check out its CCA rating etc. Then find the Odyssey one in the car section that suits.

They can sit without discharging for over 2 years with ease. You can run them flat and then they can be recovered without degrading. (Try that with a normal battery and it will likely be completely rooted if it drops low enough).

You can even charge them massively fast. You can pump as many amps into it with a battery charger as you possibly can. So long as the voltage stays below 14 or 15 or so, you can recharge them at warp speed if your battery charger can pump out the amps.

They can live from -40 to +80 degrees.

Optima batteries seem to not have as good specs overall. Their CCA ratings at normal temperatures seem lower (unless you live in Siberia, and negative temps are the norm), which means not as good cranking power. Many have a lower reserve capacity (which also makes them not as good for extended stereo while engine not running use). They also cant handle the same number of deep cycles (50 vs 400 for an Odyssey).

The main difference between the Optima and Odyssey batteries in terms of use is that Odyssey batteries have the unusual characteristic of being able to withstand sustained load (like a kick ass stereo chewing power while the car is not running, for hours and hours) AND put out massive Amps to allow for fast, frequent, powerful cranking of your car when you start it.

To get the same level in both those areas with Optima batteries, you would actually need two different batteries that they make: one that is used for starting your car (can pump out the amps for cranking), and another that is made so you can drive your stereo for a long time at constant draw. The latter one is the one that the sound-off guys use that Hustler mentioned. But its not very good for cranking your car compared to others.

I dont know of any batteries anywhere other than Odyssey that can cope with anything you throw at it, regardless of whether its constant cranking in the snow, cranking in the heat, or extended steady but power-hungry power drain from your stereo etc etc.

[Guest NUMB]

mickQ to a large extent that is false, Oddyseys are good batteries yes, but their are better out there.

Australias loudest car currently uses Powercel (now known as powerdrive) batteries. available from www.advanceae.com.au they are a dry calcium battery, able to be mounted on any angle and are extremely good quality. I use these myself and rate them well above oddyseys (cheaper also and made in australia for australian conditions).

also look at Exide Orbitals and Optimas, both are excellent

my pick is definately the Powercel though, fantastic battery, great juice capabilities and a very reasonable price.

if your wanting a cheapish, all rouind battery that is nothing special, look at Delkors, IMO they are extremely good value at $70.00 and will last for yonks. Ive had one in my daily driver for over 5 years and it hasnt missed a beat, ive also sold many to friends and have had no complaints at all.

[NT TURBO]

Thanks for the help guys, as for how did I do it? no story, the only addition I have made was the shock sensor which I removed when the trouble with the alarm first started, car always starts easy not sure why it died, its hot up ere!?

[1axr]

nt

it's not you

mine fried a couple of months ago and I called road side assistance.

a guy rocks up in a tow truck (that's confidence for you) and huals the car of to the nearest dealer and four days later I get my car back with new battery fitted.

[ktford]

Get the biggest you can fit in your space. My ZJ with its big block, electric everything used to chew power as it only went on short runs & mostly at night to avoid you know who. Ended up putting 2 x 140 amp AU alternetors & 2 x 6 volt 880 cca batteries. A lot of fuss but cranked over well & system stayed charged, finally.

Uasa, I think it's spelt like that are known to be high quality.

Scotty

[bwhinnen]

How long did the Battery last? Its not uncommon for a battery to drop a cell within 10 - 12 months in the NT (Darwin). My first one lasted 2 years, second 10 months and am on my third now (but in Brisbane so its a bit cooler and less humid). This is on my WRX, but my old HSV and the SS prior was the same, generally about 1 - 1 1/2 - 2 years between batteries.

As to the brand well I always got either an Exide or another brand I can't remember with 2 years warranty on them.

Cheers

Brett

[NT TURBO]

I was going to post which battery it was I bought but my bonnet catch just broke......again

Calcium? with a 30 month warranty 580 cca was 120 bucks at battery world