2G Common replacement batteries, few questions

[turboglenn]

Just wondering what the most common battery replacement is for 2g FWD guys like me who won't gain anything or even be hurt by moving the battery to the back? I know Optimas are popular, but do more people keep a standard size battery or go to the smaller motorcycle style batteries i see in peoples posts? Also, anyone got a link to what type of batteries these really are that I'm calling "motorcycle" batteries? IN the Porsche track cars most of them have a small "racing battery" but IMO they are useless, the car only starts once it's been running half the day and charging and if you forget and leave a fan on or anything like that you're jump starting it before the next heat..not cool for a DD car.

Anyway, give me the skinny on what's popular on DSM's these days in the battery dept.

 

[pneumo]

For my DD (1990 Laser) I just went to the local auto parts store and got a replacement battery rated at 450CCA. It's just a little smaller than the stock battery while still saving about ten pounds. Fits like stock, too. It's also as cheap as stock.

 

[JusMX141]

Use a Group 51 battery.

Dimensionally it's a little smaller than the Group 86 our cars call for, but the height is the same so the OEM battery hold-down will still work. The Group 51 is 5lbs lighter than the Group 86....I just weighed them back-to-back here at work to be sure.

 

[delta448]

Optima Red Top.

Solved all of my electrical/cold weather issues, it seems a little smaller and it only weighs 33lbs. I think my last one weighed almost 50.

 

[99gst_racer]

For a lightweight battery, check out Braille Batteries. They offer carbon fiber batteries for those who are extremely weight conscientious. For a simple replacement, just pick up anything with a good warranty from Walmart. I will say one thing's for sure - an Optima battery was the worst investment I've ever made for my car. You couldn't pay me to use their product anymore....

 

[JusMX141]

Optima Red Top.

Solved all of my electrical/cold weather issues, it seems a little smaller and it only weighs 33lbs. I think my last one weighed almost 50.

The stock Group 86 weighs 33lbs, the Group 51 weighs 27lbs....why would you want to pay more than double for an Optima?

 

[JusMX141]

For a simple replacement, just pick up anything with a good warranty from Walmart. I will say one thing's for sure - an Optima battery was the worst investment I've ever made for my car. You couldn't pay me to use their product anymore....

Agreed.

However, being in the Auto Parts business, I know for a fact that the worst batteries on the market are distributed by WalMart. I've had more people come into my store with WalMart batteries that are just over a year old that are COMPLETELY dead- wouldn't even light up a flashlight.

 

[toojung2die]

Buy a Walmart battery with a two year free replacement warranty. I found they rarely last past the two year warranty. After a year take it back and tell them it won't hold a charge. They don't check it and you get a new battery for free every year.

 

[JusMX141]

I'd rather just buy a battery like a Deka or Interstate that lasts 6 years so I don't have to worry about it.

For good measure, I have a 1994 F150 that still has the original Motorcraft battery in it, dated 10/93. Still starts perfect even on the coldest days after 182k miles.

 

[crimsondragon]

Odyssey PC680? JMFab uses it in their small battery kit.

 

[r1991_4g63t]

Buy a Walmart battery with a two year free replacement warranty. I found they rarely last past the two year warranty. After a year take it back and tell them it won't hold a charge. They don't check it and you get a new battery for free every year.

with our weather changes around here walmart junk is lucky to last 6 months, and thats if your really lucky

 

[pneumo]

Here's more good info on batteries. Stealth 316 - Dyna-Batt Battery
I got a Hawker Genesis 16EP for my weekend car. It's 13 pounds, reasonably priced for a lightweight battery, but after a year of infrequent use it's going soft. Maybe it would've lasted longer with frequent use since that would let it recharge more often? IMHO it's pusing the limits of durability vs performance.

 

[turboglenn]

Honestly i'm looking to do the "low mount" battery... Does the normal size one drop down in there or do you need to buy one smaller? I like how it just sits there and is nice and low and opens up room for more engine bay goodies

 

[delta448]

The stock Group 86 weighs 33lbs, the Group 51 weighs 27lbs....why would you want to pay more than double for an Optima?

Hmm, maybe I didn't have a stocker to begin with... I'm sure that the one I had originally weighed a little more.
I chose the Optima because until this thread, I'd never heard anyone having issues with one, it has high CCA, it's dry cell and it's deep cycle. I have a high draw audio system in the car and all the stock replacement batteries I've tried haven't lasted more than 6 months. I drive my car pretty much daily, but it's not very far at all to work.

 

[JusMX141]

The Deep Cycle part is what doubled your weight. Those batteries are designed for long-drain Marine use and have an incredible reserve power. Great for booming stereos; bad for weight savings!

 

[delta448]

The Deep Cycle part is what doubled your weight.

According to what you posted about group 86 batteries being 33lbs, my Optima weighs the same and not double. ?

 

[JusMX141]

What I meant was that your original battery was probably a standard Deep Cycle to weigh in at almost 50lbs. The only automotive batteries (non-Deep Cycle) that are near 50lbs are the Ford Group 65, and they're 8" x 12" which would never find a home under the hood of a DSM.

I'd be happy with a run-of-the-mill Group 27. For $50, they have the same CCA as a Group 86 with a 5lb weight savings.