Going the Optima route

[HanksB3B]

There's a local Battery Place that has their own brand of Battery that I've always bought my batteries from. To my surprise my battery is dated September 08. So it’s almost three years old. It’s acting up and although they just charged it and said it seemed o.k. They told me by using my Sears charger 2A 6V I was not really charging the battery adequately. It has worked in the past but recently has only been good enough to get my engine started once. If it does not start on the first crank of the starter, it will not make it to round two.

Now that the battery has been charged by them with a more substantial charging unit, somehow I’m still doubtful it’ll be much better (haven’t tried yet).

I asked the owner of Action Battery (my place) what he thought about Optima Batteries. He said “Not much.” (they do sell them also). I told him it’s for a 6 volt truck and he immediately changed his tune and said “For 6 volt there is no stronger battery.” He quoted me $110 which is less expensive than I’ve found online, told me they are on order and to give him a call next week.

I did a search on our forum and found someone who had set up two 6 volt Optima’s in parallel. This looks really tempting to me, but may be overkill.

“Two of these (side-by-side) take up the exact same space as one standard 6-volt battery in Group Size 1. It was necessary that I purchase some heavy cable and battery connectors (NAPA had them in stock) and I soldered the wire to the connectors. The original 6-volt battery was removed and the two Optima batteries were installed in place (no modification of the battery box or anything else, other than a metal strap across the top of the batteries to hold securely in place).

I now have 1600 cold-cranking amps (was 600 CCA) and the car really starts quickly. Expensive - yes, but well worth the price to have a car that starts every time without any expensive changes or problems created by using 8-volt or 12-volt setups. “

The other thought I’ve had is to carry a spare battery. Carrying a conventional size battery would mean having to fabricate a locking steel box that mounted to the running board that also housed on of those plastic battery boxes.

Does anybody use the Optima 6 Volt and if so how did you secure it to our below floorboard battery box?

The spare 6 volt Optima (which is a sealed battery) could most likely fit behind the seat. I like the thought of having a spare battery onboard even if (and I need to learn more) my voltage regulator is charging at the proper rate, I’ve still gotten myself into a couple of situations where I found out I couldn’t start (i.e. a stuck brake light switch that was not noticed, a blinker left going, all things I try to check but sometimes may overlook)

I’d be much obliged if anyone can please tell me how to check that my Voltage Regulator is working properly and how to adjust it to what would be considered an optimal charging rate for a 6 volt system.

Please let me hear from you and Thanks,

Hank

Please also see:

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=28361

Edited August 3, 2011 by HanksB3B

[ggdad1951]

I was all set to go the Optima route but O'Rielly would only exchange exact not dollar value on a bad battery I got from them. When it comes time to replace I'll probbaly go optima...sealed and non-oriented dependant seems like a win/win to me!

[Merle Coggins]

Connect a volt meter to your battery, or a "hot" connection on the starter or regulator. With the engine running above 800-1000 RPM you should see around 7.5 volts. It may be down around 6 - 6.5 at idle. If it's less than that your generator or regulator need work. Here's a couple of pages from my shop manual.

[HanksB3B]

Thanks very much Merle.

Hank

P.S. What is your opinion on the Optima idea? Will probably start by buying one battery, checking that the generator and regulator are doing their job properly and then think about buying a second for either just plain backup or setting up in parallel. Think I'd rather just have a spare one if the one battery and charging system are doing their job.

[Young Ed]

FYI I've heard the optimas are now made in mexico and not as good.

[Don Coatney]

The other thought I’ve had is to carry a spare battery.

Great idea! Suggest you carry 3 or 4 spare batteries. That way you can get home using the engine starter motor to grind your way home. However I must ask how many spare batteries you carry in your go to work daily driver? Two, three, more, or none?

Why is it that some old vehicle owners are so afraid of a failure that they suggest duplicate power systems? In reading the stories on this and other forums in my opinion the success rate of old vehicles greatly exceeds the failure rate. And I believe the failure rate of optima batteries greatly exceed the failure rate of lead acid batteries because there are a lot more lead acid batteries in use.

[TodFitch]

From the first post on this thread:

Expensive - yes, but well worth the price to have a car that starts every time without any expensive changes or problems created by using 8-volt or 12-volt setups.

My car also starts every time without expensive changes or problems created using 8 volt or 12 volt setups. It just has the stock 6v starter, the proper battery cables, and a standard 6v group 1 lead acid battery.

So tell me again why I should spend big $ to put an Optima in? Especially why spend $$$ to put two Optimas in parallel in?

Please also Google around for people's experiences using Optima batteries on vehicles with mechanical type regulators. There is enough there to give one pause. Or simply look at forum member James Douglass' experiences with Optima and what his research turned up...

[Merle Coggins]

I have to agree with everyone else. Save your money on extra batteries and fix the charging/starting issue. I have a standard Group 2 6V battery and a correctly working electrical system. I have no issues starting my truck any time I need to.

The only advantage I've ever seen for the Optima batteries was in my buddies Jeep. He does some serious off road driving and the Optima gave him the extra CCA for using his winch. And the other plus was that if/when he rolled over there was never an acid spill from the battery.

Merle

[Jerry Roberts]

I like my 6 volt Optima a lot . It spins my motor over almost as fast as a 12 volt system . When your battery mounts under your floor boards it is a big help when you don't have to do a lot of maintenance from a normal battery gassing and corroding . I bought a 6 volt Optima after the reports starting coming in of the batteries now being made in Mexico and I have had no problems with my present Optima , it probably has been 2 or 3 years . I also don't think that you need two batteries though . Make sure that your charging system is working properly , as others have said . My truck is older than yours and the battery compartment should be a little different , but in mounting , I wrapped my Optima with an old inner tube for protection and secured it with a bungee strap . A side note on Optima battery charging ; According to Hot Rod magazine , if your Optima battery is worn down to nothing , most battery chargers can not recognize that there is a battery connected at this state . It would be necessary to connect another battery to the Optima so the charger knows to charge .

[Desotodav]

I love my 6V Optima battery Hank. I ordered mine direct from Optima here in Oz. Unfortunately, ours are a little more pricey here ($285) than yours over there. I have been well pleased with the increased cranking power provided by my new battery.

I used a cut-down original battery hold-down bracket to mount the new battery in. I chopped either end down to the width of the battery and then riveted steel channel (the same profile as the ends) to make up the sides for the length of the battery. The support frame is relatively tight on the top of the battery and is held down each end by a long thin bolt (from a modern day battery hold-down kit), with a right angle bend at the bottom and a wing nut at the top. I cut round rubber gaskets for around the battery post/s at the top to ensure that I didn't short out the battery with the metal mounting bracket as it does sit close to the post/s.

To each his own mate...if you're happy to run 2 batteries... I say good for you!!! I was actually thinking of hiding a small old Klaxon horn in my spare battery compartment space. I have a mate that restores them so I'm sure that finding one the right size won't be a problem.

Desotodav

[Frank Ollian]

I also run Optima in Jeeps. They did have some quality issues when production moved to Mexico several years ago but seem to be past them now. They stood behind their product with free replacements. The Optima can sit unused longer than conventional batteries without discharging and doesn't leak so less corrosion on terminals.

[Frank Ollian]

Optima charging instructions on their website.

[John-T-53]

I bought a 6v Die Hard battery about 6 years ago, installed a new regulator, and haven't had a problem since. I think the battery was about $50 at my local Sears. I hope they still carry these when I'm due for a new one, because it has led to a very high success rate at least in the electrical system of my truck.

[48Dodger]

Hey Hank,

I used to use an Optima batt in 2006 for my street stock. after 4 races I switch to a regular Wet/Flood batt. Mostly it was a charging problem due to the fact I ran my car without an alternator. The Optima didn't like having to be charged after every race (used a charger designed for AGM type batteries etc..). In other words, race it down and charge it up, instead of charging as you go.

The one thing you can miss is vibration damage. The plates can crack in a Wet/Flooded batt if you don't help with vibration problems. You might consider the current (pun) enviroment of your batt, and check for excessive movement.

I'm not against Optima....a lot of reports say the "Mexico problem" (still Optima's problem, lol) have been resolved.

48D

[HanksB3B]

The Story of Optima Batteries (as told to me)

Optima batteries were originally researched and developed by Gates Corporation, built in response to the ongoing problem of starting vehicles in extreme cold during the construction of the Alaska Pipeline. At first, Gates told the pipeline contractors “You can’t afford these batteries” The contractor just laughed and said “Oh yes we can!” (The cost paled in comparison to machinery downtime). These original batteries were built to the highest possible level of quality (as cost was of no concern).

After the pipeline was completed, although there was a demand, Gates felt they were the wrong player to cater to a consumer market and sold the patent rights to a French company who in turn also saw that despite demand, the cost and involvement of bringing a manufacturing facility online was more than they wanted to get into.

The rights were then sold to Johnson Controls (who also owns Interstate Battery). Johnson Controls began producing batteries somewhere in Colorado. Somewhere in the mix the batteries were “value engineered”. This explains why some people had Optima batteries that lasted 9-10 and even 14 years before going dead. Johnson Controls also had a plant in Monterey Mexico (circa NAFTA and the whole mess that has turned our economy to well let’s not go there). Here’s where the manufacturing went temporarily wrong and where Optima picked up it’s “Mexico=Bad” reputation.

The first run of batteries was something like 20,000, 13,000 of which were defective. The scientists and manufacturing people got together for the purpose of finding out what the problem was. It was concluded that the humidity made a difference and had a major impact of how the “paste” (electrolyte?) between the plates worked. No Problema?

Problema! But of a different sort! It seems a few of the 3,500 workers lost their heads over their job, literally and were decapitated on their way to/from work! The factory went from 3 8-hour shifts to one 6 hour shift and very shortly after that, one Friday 3,500 workers were given severance pay and so much as a “muchas gracias” and the factory was shut down until further notice!

In an effort to get things back-on-line, a security company was hired and measures were put in place to assure a safe “corridor” for workers to travel to/from the factory and the 24/7 operation was back in operation. No problema? Problema! It seems the security guards were convinced by NARCO (this is getting too complicated for my comprehension) to hold the company hostage and demand something like $100,000 a month in payoffs to assure that the “safe corridor” is maintained.

Edited August 6, 2011 by HanksB3B

[HanksB3B]

Yesterday, I searched for a somewhere to buy a battery. My online shopping was mainly to see what companies made a 800 CCA battery (as I believe this was the original spec for our trucks back in the day). None that I could find except for Interstate and ACDelco. The problem with the Interstate battery was that it was only warranted for 6 months because the company viewed use of this 6 volt battery for vintage cars that weren’t started on a regular (let’s say for arguments sake , twice a week). I learned that one way a battery goes bad is by not using it enough resulting in sulfercation (sp) of the plates.

Well after much discussion and searching I found an ACDelco 4HD6V. The dimensions were 13 1/8” x 7 1/8” x 9”. I thought about it and certainly the battery tray was at least more than a foot long and was definitely at least 7 or more inches wide and 9” high there was more than enough room for a Group 4 battery. Not! It looked a little big when I Will-Called it from the warehouse and figured if I just crossed my fingers on the 30 minute drive home certainly it would fit.

Well it dropped right in alright (all 45lbs of it) but it sat cattywhompas on one of the running board supports and darn it was just too high and it wasn’t going to fit no way! So I call the retailer I bought it through. “Steve (and I knew what he was going to say) the battery is too big what can I do? Well if you had gotten it from my shop, no problem, but the distributor will not take an electrical item back. You can bring it back to me buy an Optima and I’ll see what I can do with the Warehouse I know some people.

So that’s where it stands and that’s how I got my 6 Volt Optima battery with 800CCA. It’s guaranteed for three years cost $118.00 and it’s the only 800CCA battery I could find. Most Group 2 batteries only go 625-675CCA (which is just about enough).

The downside to the Optima Battery is that it takes a long time to charge and would take something more substantial than my $19 Sears charger to get going. I’ll be super careful that I don’t leave anything on or flashing and will make sure my brake light switch doesn’t stick and that my brake lights aren’t on in full sunlight when parked (hard to see).

My battery registers 6.25 Volts with the engine off and 7.25 Volts running at a fast idle so everything seems to be working, my generator is polarized and I’m good to go.

So thanks everyone for your input and advice/comments,

Hank

P.S. Don Coatney I sort of took your advice and laughed off the spare 2-3-4 spare batteries and getting home via starter motor. I do however take issue with adding ¼ cup of Miracle Whip to deviled eggs. Other than that, I agree with you on everything else.

Edited August 6, 2011 by HanksB3B

[Don Coatney]

You got sumpin against Miracle Whip:D

[JoelOkie]

These batteries are made by Exide, and cost about $80.00 bucks at Atwoods Farm store. Just to see if it would, I started this truck a few mornings last winter when it was around 0 degrees and it started right up, although this battery is just rated 625 @ 0 degrees , and 750 @ 32 degrees. I've had them in several cars and had good luck with them. Joel

[Don Coatney]

Last week my trusty 1980's Graveley lawn tractor failed to start as the lead acid battery had failed. This battery was somewhere around 8+ years old. I went shopping for a replacement and found one but the cost was eighty bucks. I hem-hawed and tried to find a replacement for something less but I could not unless I went with a really wimpy replacement. So my best logic came into play. Actual cost spread over 8+ years was ten bucks a year or a little over a penny a day. I have lost more from the hole in my pocket than the battery cost.

[HanksB3B]

You got sumpin against Miracle Whip:D

Why would you need it? I love deviled eggs but have never used it in the recipe? What does it do for them?

Hank

[Don Coatney]

Why would you need it? I love deviled eggs but have never used it in the recipe? What does it do for them?

Hank

I was motivated to wup up a batch of develed eggs today as pictured below. Miracle Whip adds a tangy flavor. I also added a bit of grated Parmesan cheese. Yummy! I also exercised my cherry pie baking skills. Tastes just like Marie Callender's!

[48Dodger]

Awesome Don...I have only recently tried to up my cooking skills to my automotive skills....at 47 I've never really cooked. Apple sauce (my own apples) ,Orange chicken, and buttermilk pork steak...lol...

48D

[TodFitch]

I was motivated to wup up a batch of develed eggs today as pictured below. Miracle Whip adds a tangy flavor. I also added a bit of grated Parmesan cheese. Yummy! I also exercised my cherry pie baking skills. Tastes just like Marie Callender's!

As long as the topic has been hijacked...

During the happy hour prior to a banquet I went to last night they served hors d'oeuvres. One of the items were deviled eggs which were slightly different than I'd ever had as they contained lobster. Not something I'd consider putting into the recipe, but they were quite good.

[48Dodger]

"So thanks everyone for your input and advice/comments,

Hank"

Hey Tod...I figgered it was a done thread...is that still hyjacken?? lol

48D

[HanksB3B]

How to bake cookies in an Easy Bake Oven with either a Lead Acid or Optima 6 Volt Battery?

Don how about posting a nice picture of you with your Apron? You too Tim!

Hank