Battery questions

[lancerdarryl]

Cant remember is this was asked before but are the Optima battery clamps that hold the bottom of the battery legal here? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251110697328 ... EBIDX%3AIT

As long as the battery is secure you're OK. That's the sexiest battery tray I've ever seen.

[Lancer1993]

I wouldn't spend money on a Optima battery only to hide it, agreed it's very cool, just a pity in the CJ the snorkel hides so much of the battery.

[Lancer1993]

Was talking to Battery World today about the Optima battery, he was pushing the red ones but I really want the yellow (yeah big shock) anyway can someone tell me the difference, all I know is the yellow is more for deep cycle but how does this affect it starting the car.

Does it mean I can use the sound system and lights for longer without affecting it?

I know the CJ has built in safety where it turns off the lights after just a minute and the radio in about 30 min if left on Acc.

Has anyone install an Optima battery with the fancy tray you can get on eBay?

[burfadel]

Probably wouldn't fit with the tray, plus the tray would be purely for show car purposes in the situation where it is actually visible . For the batteries, the red top Optima batteries are just starting batteries, the yellow top are starting and deep cycle. The deep cycle/starting battery doesn't mean much, just that you wouldn't run too much off the red top when the engine isn't running. According to the Optima website, there is only the D35 yellow top in the Optima brand recommended for the vehicle. http://www.optimabatteries.com.au/wp-co ... 9&year=988

Even then, you have to weigh up the extra cost of the battery versus how much benefit there is. Considering the 75D23L Century Ultra-Hi performance battery can be as cheap as $145 (some places are much more expensive though), I'd go for that personally.
http://centurybatteries.com.au/resource ... uct/75d23l

Even if you spend $129 on a Projecta 8A Pro-charge battery charger with that battery it will still be cheaper than the Optima. With that remember to use the 'Calcium' mode. Running a rejuvenation cycle on it every 6-8 months and do a full charge the battery will last a lot longer.
http://www.projecta.com.au/Products/Bat ... rettyPhoto[iframes]/1/

When you eventually need to top up the cells, which you can on these, do so with this:
http://www.inoxmx.com/inox/mx2-battery-conditioner/

Don't believe the BS marketing of 'Maintenance Free' batteries, there is no such thing . Basically the 'Maintenance Free' part just means you can't top up the cells. On the better batteries the cells can still be accessed by a plate. Modern batteries (calcium) don't use as much fluid, which is how 'Maintenance Free' was 'born'. Basically you can get say, 3-4 years out of them before the cells become too dry to work.

There's a bit of info on different battery chemistry characteristics here: http://centurybatteries.com.au/content/ ... batter.pdf

[Lancer1993]

Yeah I know the Optima ones are premium and priced accordingly, even cheap batteries can last 2-3 years for most, especially in Australia where most don't have the cold winters like in the US.

Not getting anything yet and will only get the Optima if I have the money, just a pity the snorkel covers the battery so much on the CJ, worse when running a RA snorkel.

Thanks for all the links.

[aspir3]

I have the yellow. I've had it for almost 5 years without any issues. I purchased it because my kids sometimes watch the DVD headrests when we are parked somewhere. I'm yet to have a flat battery to start the car.