$975.00 battery

[Maniak]

I also carry a booster pack in the Explorer.. I have one of the 900/1200 peak ones from HFT.

In the mustang we have a smaller one (less power, same size) but it also has an air compressor in it..

It really comes in handy.. I've used it a few times on our own vehicles..

On the X I've jump started myself at least 3 times.. others closer to 10..

In the mustang we have used the compressor twice (The X has a seperate compressor)..

One thing I did find though. If you lose a cell on the battery the jump box may not be enough to start it.. It happened on the mustang.. one cell shorted and it was then a weak 10V battery.. the jump box wasn't enough.

I did switch from regular wet style batteries to Gel batteries.. I use Exide Orbitals since I can exchange them about anywhere.. I think Walmart carried optima now, so I 'might' buy one from them next time since they are everywhere.. I just don't want to buy a battery from a place that doesn't exist everywhere I go.

~Mark

 

[03exploder]

I never thought the Gell Cells would be worth the money untill this happened to me. I alson never thought about a booster pack being used on my own vehical. (I almost always have cables). Now I'm seeing this more clearly.

 

[TedJ]

I always drive with a jump box in the back, I got one of those ones with the compressor and 120v inverter. Its short and square shaped, and a bungee cord across the top attached to the tie downs keeps it from sliding around. I like it because if someone else needs a jump, you're not messing around with your truck, and you can jump yourself if you get stuck.

One of the kids I knew in HS had a truck will all kinds of lights and audio gear and he would leave stuff on and kill the battery. I would see him sitting out there leaning against the truck, and I would just go over with the box... I started his truck a lot :

 

[tbe2002]

You accually can get a gen 3 out of park with no battery. Look underneath the colum shifter there is a little metal pannle that us slide open then stick a key up there and pull down.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

You accually can get a gen 3 out of park with no battery. Look underneath the colum shifter there is a little metal pannle that us slide open then stick a key up there and pull down.

Oh yes, this is true, I remember reading about this in the manual.

 

[freerider6_9]

I have heard nothing but bad from optima batteries. The mine my dad works for used to use them in their trucks but after you kill them once they are screwed and wont hold a charge..

 

[mrboyle]

I have heard nothing but bad from optima batteries. The mine my dad works for used to use them in their trucks but after you kill them once they are screwed and wont hold a charge..

Actually they won't take a charge from a standard charger, you need a trickle charger to slowly recharge them. Why, I don't know, but it works.

To the OP, next time give me a call, I'll bring you a battery for $800. : J/K That sucks.

 

[TedJ]

I've had nothing but good experiences with optima batteries, I think most people's problems are related to overcharging or using old unregulated battery chargers on them. Regular, wet-cell, batteries are (electrically) very abuse resistant. You can overcharge, fast charge, and do all kinds of things and it doesn't usually kill them, but they also don't last as long and seep acid, etc.

The optima battery is less resistant to overcharging and high amperage charging... I wouldn't charge an optima with anything but a digital controlled battery charger.

The two I have have been around for 5 years or so, have never needed any maintenance, and have never failed to start the cars their in, including my mom's 1980 Buick Rivera with 5.7L v8, in subfreezing weather.

 

[Four0Sport]

the first optima i bought was a red to back when i first got my 93, that battery lasted through 2 cars and sat outside on concrete for a winter. the only thing that killed it was running my truck an entire day w/out the alt. plugged in (my bad). since then i have procurred 2 yellow tops that people swore were bad, a couple days on a 2 amp charge and they were good as new. great great batteries. a friend uses one in his nova street/strip car. hold down fell apart, battery rolled over his motor and laid agaisnt a header, burned 1 of the 'packs' completely off, and still started the car! no lie!

 

[Premier]

That really sucks dude. I bought a Diehard SUV battery for just this reason, it apparently can take a lot more vibration and abuse.

used to use optima, but now i use die hard gell pack from sears. same battery, better warranty

 

[zhanx]

i have seen optima's with shrapnel in them and they work just fine to start our hmwv's in the desert. not recomended of course but they work.

Plus I have one (red top) in my explorer for about 3 years no issues.