The V8 Owners Forum -

Old one (Halfrauds) conked out on me last night.

So the question is Red Top or standard? Pros and cons?

Cheers,

Ian

kev_the_mole wrote:Old one (Halfrauds) conked out on me last night.

So the question is Red Top or standard? Pros and cons?

Cheers,

Ian

I use this one for the 3.9 in my Westfield; Clicky!

Very pleased with it. More than enough power to fire up the V8. Even after a 5 month hibernation. (Did pull the main cut off switch though, did not use a (trickle)charger.)

The only downside I can think of might be the price.

kev_the_mole wrote:Old one (Halfrauds) conked out on me last night.

So the question is Red Top or standard? Pros and cons?

Cheers,

Ian

My feeling is how long a warranty a maker offers is an indication of quality. And despite the high price, Optima etc are no better than others and worse than some, despite claiming a longer life.
It's also somewhat of a gamble just how long a battery lasts. The Bosch fitted to my daily driver failed within the new car warranty and was replaced with an identical one. Which is still fine at 8 years. The Lucas one in my SD1 failed when I was away from home and was replaced by a 'no name' one from a local accessory shop, and that too has lasted well - despite being run flat several times through the car not being used and a high quiescent drain.
There's plenty of hype about car batteries, but the reality is they've changed very little over the years. Sort of subtle improvements rather than a major advance.

If you're happy to spend the extra ££££
Then go for the Gel type battery Optima / Varley etc
They are lighter and giver higher cranking amps to spin the starter

But you'll probably pay twice the price

Or if you're tight go down to a car breaker at the start of a season and buy a vectra style battery - it will work and 2nd hand will be about £10 - £20 if it dies next winter replace it the same way if it gives you a 2nd season really quids in

Ian

Ian Anderson wrote:If you're happy to spend the extra ££££
Then go for the Gel type battery Optima / Varley etc
They are lighter and giver higher cranking amps to spin the starter

But you'll probably pay twice the price

Or if you're tight go down to a car breaker at the start of a season and buy a vectra style battery - it will work and 2nd hand will be about £10 - £20 if it dies next winter replace it the same way if it gives you a 2nd season really quids in

Ian

You'll knacker a gel battery with a standard alternator. But Optima isn't a gel type. It is however sealed, so can be treated like a gel type as regards spillage. It's alleged.

For what it's worth, I think I'm going for an Odyssey PC680 or RedTop 25 for the size and weight.
I've seen Ultimas (most of which are big Yank V8s) with a PC680 battery.

Mike

DaveEFI wrote:

Ian Anderson wrote:If you're happy to spend the extra ££££
Then go for the Gel type battery Optima / Varley etc
They are lighter and giver higher cranking amps to spin the starter

But you'll probably pay twice the price

Or if you're tight go down to a car breaker at the start of a season and buy a vectra style battery - it will work and 2nd hand will be about £10 - £20 if it dies next winter replace it the same way if it gives you a 2nd season really quids in

Ian

You'll knacker a gel battery with a standard alternator. But Optima isn't a gel type. It is however sealed, so can be treated like a gel type as regards spillage. It's alleged.

Dave

That's interesting as I know a lot of people running them with normal alternators

I do know though that you cannot use a normal plug in mattery charger - need a "conditioner" whatever that does

Ian

Ian Anderson wrote:

DaveEFI wrote:

Ian Anderson wrote:If you're happy to spend the extra ££££
Then go for the Gel type battery Optima / Varley etc
They are lighter and giver higher cranking amps to spin the starter

But you'll probably pay twice the price

Or if you're tight go down to a car breaker at the start of a season and buy a vectra style battery - it will work and 2nd hand will be about £10 - £20 if it dies next winter replace it the same way if it gives you a 2nd season really quids in

Ian

You'll knacker a gel battery with a standard alternator. But Optima isn't a gel type. It is however sealed, so can be treated like a gel type as regards spillage. It's alleged.

Dave

That's interesting as I know a lot of people running them with normal alternators

I do know though that you cannot use a normal plug in mattery charger - need a "conditioner" whatever that does

Ian

The theory is you charge a gel type at a constant voltage - 13.8v And most alternators will exceed this. Of course theory and practice ain't always the same.

DaveEFI wrote: The theory is you charge a gel type at a constant voltage - 13.8v And most alternators will exceed this. Of course theory and practice ain't always the same.

That's true for all '12V' lead acid batteries. The difference is that a liquid electrolyte can boil off and be topped up more easily.

Chris.