Battery recommendations?
- Thread starter Schmoe
- Start date
- Status
95 Taurus. I won't get fried touching the cables will I?
The battery is full of dilute sulfuric acid.
Keep the battery upright and dont spill any on you. On ships our safety requirements have us wear rain gear and full safety goggles while working on battey banks.
Make sure there are no sparks in the area.
Make sure there is no electrical draws that will be present when connecting the battery.
Wait. Batteries can be dangerous.
Let me dig up some links OK
I will reply again in 10
Keep the battery upright and dont spill any on you. On ships our safety requirements have us wear rain gear and full safety goggles while working on battey banks.
Make sure there are no sparks in the area.
Make sure there is no electrical draws that will be present when connecting the battery.
Wait. Batteries can be dangerous.
Let me dig up some links OK
I will reply again in 10
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/sub_care_sat/1272451.html?page=1&c=y
That link will be better at describing change of battery than I.
I only want to say that I am very cautious around batteries and other people handling batteries. I had ond blow up once. Lucky that I was following procedure and was 5 feet from battery when it happened. My father had a 6 volt blow up in his face before. Luck he had someone there to immediately guide him to water and begin flushing procedure.
I ship there are huge banks of them and I am dressed for war when I do the weekly inspection of them. The more you are around batteries the more the law of averages say that there will be an accident of some kind.
I dont want to scare you but I want you to know that there is risk involved.
WEAR FULL GOGGLES
HAVE A BUDDY AROUND
DO IT BY THE BOOK
Read all about it first
That link will be better at describing change of battery than I.
I only want to say that I am very cautious around batteries and other people handling batteries. I had ond blow up once. Lucky that I was following procedure and was 5 feet from battery when it happened. My father had a 6 volt blow up in his face before. Luck he had someone there to immediately guide him to water and begin flushing procedure.
I ship there are huge banks of them and I am dressed for war when I do the weekly inspection of them. The more you are around batteries the more the law of averages say that there will be an accident of some kind.
I dont want to scare you but I want you to know that there is risk involved.
WEAR FULL GOGGLES
HAVE A BUDDY AROUND
DO IT BY THE BOOK
Read all about it first
Also remember to remove the negative (usally black) battery terminal first. Then on install, negative last. Much safer.
Kestas
Staff member
I've heard it's best to put the largest battery that can comfortably fit in the battery tray of your car. The battery will last longer. Don't let the shop "shim up" a smaller battery to make it fit.
How about Kirkland batteries from Costco?
How about Kirkland batteries from Costco?
Coopns, you won't get an electric shock from 12V, even if you grab one post with one hand and the other post with the other hand. The dangerous part is electric sparks. If there's any hydrogen buildup, which can happen around batteries, and you introduce a spark, you can have an explosion, although this is a rare occurence. Good ventilation and eye protection would be very well advised while doing the job. I don't know if I'd go to the extent of donning rain gear, but if you want to be extra careful, go ahead. I've done several of my own battery changes, even with leaking batteries, and haven't had a problem. Expect to see a spark when making the final contact, though. That's normal and won't hurt you.
ACDelco's website has directions on installing.
http://www.acdelco.com/html/rp_bat_replace.htm
Also, "be certain to replace the battery with one of the same voltage, size, amperage rating, and cold-cranking rating".
http://www.acdelco.com/html/rp_bat_replace.htm
Also, "be certain to replace the battery with one of the same voltage, size, amperage rating, and cold-cranking rating".
I've been running an Optima RedTop for the past three years with no problems. I was lucky enough to get it for $70 with a GNC discount.
Odds are though, when it craps out that I'll go back to a regular Delco battery.
Odds are though, when it craps out that I'll go back to a regular Delco battery.
Why are you considering not getting another Optima?
I was looking at buying one after all the great things I've read...
Scott
I have an Optima and have had it for probably 3-4 years. I have absolutely no complaints about the battery. My car starts up everytime even if it's really cold out.
I talked one of my buddies into getting one in his Trailblazer and he also loves his.
I count on it lasting me quite a while. If that holds true, I'll stay with Optima!
I talked one of my buddies into getting one in his Trailblazer and he also loves his.
I count on it lasting me quite a while. If that holds true, I'll stay with Optima!
I have always had good luck with Interstate batteries. I had one that was in my Ford tractor that was 5 years old when I bought the tractor in 1999. It turned the tractor over in sub-zero temps with no problem. Finally died in 2004, making the battery about 10 years old. Given the rough service (high vibration, long periods of just sitting, etc) I'm impressed that it lasted as long as it did.
Installing a battery is pretty straight forward. Make sure you are wearing eye protection and in a well vented area. Remove the negative terminal, then the positive. If the battery has hold downs remove them (make sure you don't drop them through!). Lift the battery out. Reverse the procedure to reinstall it. Consider using battery washers (red and green) when you reinstall it-they'll help with corrosion. Also use a battery terminal cleaner to make sure those connections are clean, bright and tight.
Installing a battery is pretty straight forward. Make sure you are wearing eye protection and in a well vented area. Remove the negative terminal, then the positive. If the battery has hold downs remove them (make sure you don't drop them through!). Lift the battery out. Reverse the procedure to reinstall it. Consider using battery washers (red and green) when you reinstall it-they'll help with corrosion. Also use a battery terminal cleaner to make sure those connections are clean, bright and tight.
Need a new battery, does it matter what type? I would like to get another 4-5 years out of the car if I can. Battery is a battery is a battery? Autozone, Sears NTB or whatever is on sale?
To install and advice or is it farily straight forward?
To install and advice or is it farily straight forward?
Not all batteries are the same. My preference is AC Delco. I've never had one last less than 5 years, usually 7 or more. You'll get a lot of varying opinions on brand, though. Of course if you live in AZ or some other really hot climate, a battery is just a battery and, based on my conversation with a native Arizonan, you go for the longest full replacement interval on the warranty, because you'll almost certainly have to use it. That probably doesn't mean squat to you in MA, but hey, now you know.
Installation depends on your vehicle. Some cars are a piece of cake, some have them in wierd places, like under the seats and such. Please post the year, make and model of your car for us.
Installation depends on your vehicle. Some cars are a piece of cake, some have them in wierd places, like under the seats and such. Please post the year, make and model of your car for us.
It has been a great battery and has always started but I'd just like to see how a Delco holds up to see if the extra money for an Optima is justified. If I can get the same performance out of a Delco for less, then I'll go with a Delco.
I think my Optima has been awesome, I'd just like to do a comparison.
For the value and convenience I think the Kirkland batteries at Costco with 36 month full replacement warranty are pretty hard to beat.
^^^ Thank you!
Scott
Scott
How much are those generally?
I paid $39 for whatever battery is specified for a 1988 Mustang 5.0 from Kirkland.
They also have the "European" size reverse-terminal battery that Saabs/BMWs/Ford Contours take for $49 -- Autozone wants $69 for theirs (both come with the venting provision for cases where it's mounted in the trunk--I believe they're both made by Johnson Controls).
They also have the "European" size reverse-terminal battery that Saabs/BMWs/Ford Contours take for $49 -- Autozone wants $69 for theirs (both come with the venting provision for cases where it's mounted in the trunk--I believe they're both made by Johnson Controls).
- Status