Just trying to see how popular the Optima Red Tops really are!
The one that will start it. Sorry, not trying to be smart but just wanted to let you know I tried the Optimas a couple of times and did not have good luck with them. I see no reason to go out and spend tons of $$ just because its a F. I know I will catch grief about this but I did a little research and Kirkland batt. rated really high in consum. reports. I picked one up recently for 39.95 for another car of mine, and if it starts it thats fine with me.
Mine's actually a Bosch, in an uneasy truce with the Magnetti Marelli components of the rest of the electrical system. The tough part is throwing an extension cord from the third floor for the trickle charger!
I use Optimas in all of my cars and my golf cart and have never had a problem. I too like the sealed unit as I never had to worry about acid damaging the area around my battery.
Champion Sealed Spiral Cell Battery from Sams Club, made by Exide -- but with the Champion (as in spark plugs) logo. It's the same 6-pack looking type of sealed battery as the Optima. I use the blue top in my 308 since this is a better battery choice than a red top for applications where a low rate charger is frequently used because the car is driven infrequently. I use the very same brand from Sam's Club in the red top in one of my cars that is driven more often, and not charged. Both work fine, both crank fine, no complaints. Kind Regards, Chris
Optima is licensing their "spiral cell" technology to Exide, so there are a couple alternate brands available like the Exide and Champion.
I'm really surprised to see no "Interstate" batteries. That's what was in my car when I got it--that's what Ferrari of Central Florida had put in when they had the car... I thought it was like the brand that Ferrari officially used or something... --Mike
There are only two companies that make batteries. There's nothing wrong with the Energizer car batteries that you can get at Pep Boys. I've put them in my jag and ferrari and no problems, and you save about 20-30 dollars.
Ditto, I tend to buy deep cycle/RV batteries for my cars that spend several months in storage, both my winter & summer drivers. Otherwise I look for a 48 mo battery. I solve the trickle charging power problem by buying $20 solar battery maintainers & stick them outside somewhere. I use a cigarette lighter extension cord to bring them into the car.
I use Duracell Gold from Autozone with 6 year warranty. It has the side connections too which i use for my Chevy Blazer in the winter for plowing.
Guys, if anyone's interested I have a fledgling "How-To" article on battery replacement & trickle charge installation for the 328. With a bit of lead time, can probably make up a harness to plug into the Sears chargers too. Carl [email protected]
The Interstates work as well as anything, use the grey-top instead of the standard green... We've had good experience with them for fifteen years. Most all the dealers use them. -Peter
Grey topped Interstate in mine. Came with the car and seems to work fine. I just disconnect in the winter when the car sits and still fires up in the spring.
I put a Sears Diehard in my Mondial. It solved the hard starting problem that I had with the old battery. I've had good success in many different cars with the Diehards. Plus, Sears is pretty easy to deal with in my experience if you ever have a warranty problem with one of these. As an aside, I know a few people who have had problems with the Optima Red Tops. If you let the battery discharge completely, it may not fully recover. Several guys I know let them leak down over the winter and had to trash almost new Red Tops when they wouldn't hold a charge after a complete discharge. If you have one, my suggestion is to use a trickle charger if you're letting the car sit for any length of time with a Red Top.
Update: The Bosch now sits quietly beneath the flop eared rabbit cages.....replaced both cars ('77 308GTB) with locally obtained (Waller, TX) NAPA units......#6026. Standard lead/acid units. Went right in, fired up, car ran great....peeled out and scared all the cows. I see I paid the disposal fee, I guess I'll take the dead one back to them. I have had conflicts with Sears over tires/batteries years ago, and my electrical guy doesn't have many good things to say about Interstate anymore. He does carry Optima.....but.....it's just a 308...ya know?