Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Optima Battery RECENT MANUFACTURE - GOOD/BAD?  (Read 1609 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Optima Battery RECENT MANUFACTURE - GOOD/BAD?

Reply #25 –
I had a
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Optima Battery RECENT MANUFACTURE - GOOD/BAD?

Reply #26 –
After reading the above posts, I sense that many owners use the boost switch to help the start batteries to make the initial start of the day. Before adding batteries or using the boost switch, it may be worth checking all battery terminal connections as well as possibly adding an additional ground cable. On the other hand, we had one 8D on each side of our fire trucks to start the Detroit 8V-71s. In colder weather, we sometimes got a starter hesitation when responding during the night. It was then that we starting turning the battery switch to "both" as soon as we opened the cab door and climbed in.

If you notice ANY difference in starter speed using the engine batteries vs engine batteries plus house batteries via the boost switch, there is something wrong in the engine starting system. Older batteries, not enough capacity, high resistance at cable connections, defective starter motor, etc are all suspects.

We had a block heater failure in Yellowstone with the temps in the high teens. The three engine batteries took several tries and a huge cloud of gray smoke to finally get it going but starter cranking speed was never a problem. I even melted a battery terminal and had to use a vice grip on that battery (have since installed HD terminals) and was sure glad when it did reluctantly start.

An easy way to figure out if your starting system is up to speed is to put a digital voltmeter on the starter solenoid when the morning is cold. Below is a good site with a work sheet for engine size, oil, temp, etc for starting diesels and will show if your battery capacity is enough and starter system is healthy. Their battery model will have to be cross referenced to equate with conventional starting batteries but gives excellent insight into all the starting factors. Note the factor between different grades/viscosity of oils.

Or you can just check the solenoid voltage while cranking with voltages normally in the 10V range.

http://www.allnesales.com/hopp-FNCEH.pdf

Pierce

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Optima Battery RECENT MANUFACTURE - GOOD/BAD?

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Brad Metzger –
            I am not a battery expert or any where near it . I was a boat dealer for 27 years . I bought a lot of batteries as a result of lt . My numbers reached well over 600 a year . My battery connection supplier was East Penn , out of Richmond , Va.  One year we bought a group of Optimas  . Had way too many grumpy customers , and my supplier was terrible who stuck me on the warranty side . My think was , "they cost more , they got to be better" well " not so in my case . My guess is boats sit too long , but in a way a bit like our coaches . My take is they are not worth the extra cost.      Brad Metzger

East penn is MK 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Optima Battery RECENT MANUFACTURE - GOOD/BAD?

Reply #28 –
I went with 3 - Costco group 34, 770 CCA wet cells. 36 month full replacement and 100 month pro rated after that. About $ 82.99 each. Can't beat it with a stick!

I didn't have to alter the 3 wire battery harness that was fitted to the Optima's that were installed previously. I do have to change the hold down bracket. The bracket covers the battery caps. I can make one that fits between the caps so battery cell inspection will not be a problem.

Battery access for the engine battery's is easy on my coach so inspection will not be a problem. If the battery's were harder to service I would have gone with the AGM battery's.

Thanks for all the good advice.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Optima Battery RECENT MANUFACTURE - GOOD/BAD?

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Lon and Cheryl –
I went with 3 - Costco group 34, 770 CCA wet cells. 36 month full replacement and 100 month pro rated after that. About $ 82.99 each. Can't beat it with a stick!

I didn't have to alter the 3 wire battery harness that was fitted to the Optima's that were installed previously. I do have to change the hold down bracket. The bracket covers the battery caps. I can make one that fits between the caps so battery cell inspection will not be a problem.

Battery access for the engine battery's is easy on my coach so inspection will not be a problem. If the battery's were harder to service I would have gone with the AGM battery's.

Thanks for all the good advice.

Johnson Controls makes yours as well as ours. Less than $300 four years ago for us so about $70/yr for three batteries so far. Still cranks as fast as ever in winter and expect they will go at least another four years. Final cost should be under $30 a year for three when they have to be replaced. "Can't beat it with a stick" is right on.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Optima Battery RECENT MANUFACTURE - GOOD/BAD?

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Johnson Controls makes yours as well as ours. Less than $300 four years ago for us so about $70/yr for three batteries so far. Still cranks as fast as ever in winter and expect they will go at least another four years. Final cost should be under $30 a year for three when they have to be replaced. "Can't beat it with a stick" is right on.

Pierce

I removed perfectly good group 31's flooded cell batteries from my coach to change to the red top optima's that I understand were in my coach new.    Time will tell.  Wanted hopefully ten year batteries and less maintenance from the out gassing.  After long years in the Rv biz playing with charging systems issues was a reoccurring theme.  Less problems turned out to be more important to me than the dollars. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4