What battery?

[Longjohn119]

I usually get the cheapest one at Sears that will do the job ...

2nd to last one I got for my was a 42 month and it went 80 months without a problem ... then it died when I went to back my boat down the ramp ... Jump started it with my marine deep cycle, drove to Sears, boat and all, got a new one and still got to go fishing

I wouldn't get the cheapest Sears battery for a vehicle with a lot of accessories like most Explorers but I'll probably get one of their better ones for mine when it needs it ...

Aldive makes a good point about Optimas, I have a blue top for my boat to run the lights, live well, trolling motor, etc ... it started my Ranger just fine and I've never come close to it ever running out of juice, even on two day trips with no recharge and heavy use of the trolling motor, several lights on all night for fishing, etc ....

 

[agzaretzka]

Go with an Optima Yellow Top. They are pricey, but you won't have to worry about trouble from it for years. Had one in a F-100 for 10 years that finally went out.

Good to hear, as this is what I put in my Ex last year! No problems so far.

On the otherhand, the cheap walmart battery that was put in my Taurus a couple of years ago is now dead....

 

[IZwack]

On the otherhand, the cheap walmart battery that was put in my Taurus a couple of years ago is now dead....

thats typical.. most batteries i think are expected to last 3 yrs or so..

 

[davidmmm69]

while in florida that heat just eat batteries.. and thank god for the warranty on the batteries i had bought..
i had gone thru quite a few of them while i was there..

 

[Rhett]

Using a voltmeter, is there any way to tell if a lead-acid battery is wearing out?

 

[jreece04]

I have had a redtop optima in my 92 X for about 3 years now. I use a 2000 watt inverter when I go camping. We usally hook up a dvd player and projector and watch movies, and I don't have to run the truck. I like the sealed top for on the trail and the cranking power is pretty good. Even if it died tomorrow, $100 for three years of heavy use is not bad. BTW IT shows no sign of wear, starts the x up every time.
For charging rc cars or leaving lights on this battery would take care of you easily.

 

[Lloyd10977]

thats typical.. most batteries i think are expected to last 3 yrs or so..

AutoZone has a DURALAST premium battery for SUV/Light Truck applications that has a 7 year warranty, with the first 3 years 100% replacement and the remainder prorated. This comes out to be a battery that is $15-20 that the Sears DIEHARD GOLD with a better warranty. Plus AutoZones are everywhere.

 

[riverst]

Go with the Optima brand. I have a RED top in my truck. Goining strong for the last 2 years now with a 1500w system running off it.
Red or Yellow will do the trick!

 

[IZwack]

go with whatever fits ur budget and is available close to ur house! and with some waranty.. like what Lloyd10977 said - the Duralast shindig costs less than the Sears brand with about the same waranty (tho I personally went with Sears cauz its a bike ride from my house!!).. i mean most of us use batteries in our Explorer just for starting, after that, its mostly alternator. marine batteries are deep cycle for a reason, if it dies out in the ocean, then umm i dunno, slit ur wrist or something to make ur unavoidable death quicker!!! !!!! !!! !! ok im done, back to studying..

 

[Rhett]

Using a voltmeter, is there any way to tell if a lead-acid battery is wearing out?

bump

 

[Maniak]

When they get weak, the voltage (under starter load) will go down to 10v or less.

they can also go bad and just not hold a charge (they drop voltage after a few days)..

This is assuming that you are getting a static charge of 12.5v or so (if not, either you have a bad cell or its not charged)

~Mark

 

[DCExplorer]

All Optima batteries are gel cells.

False. Optimas/Orbitals are Absorbant/Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. Gel cells are something different. AGM batteries have the same liquid acid in them as regular batteries. The liquid is just held in a glass mat, similar to the way a paper towel hold water. The acid in a gel battery is not a liquid but is rather in gel form.

The other major difference between and AGM and normal battery is the lead plate. Normal batteries have many square plates. An AGM battery only has one plate per cell that is rolled up, again similar to a roll of paper towels. That give the AGM batteries that 6-pack appearance. Just image putting a sheet of fiberglass on a sheet of lead and rolling it up. Then drop it in acid and you have an AGM battery.

 

[DCExplorer]

Using a voltmeter, is there any way to tell if a lead-acid battery is wearing out?

Yes, but you don't need the meter. When you have a fresh battery fully charged, turn your headlight on and then start the car. Make a mental note of how much your lights dimmed as the starter was cranking. As the battery gets older and starts to get weaker, your lights will dim more.

 

[HardTech]

hehe, well the volt meter said mines hitting a little under 9 before it starts. As for the lights... they nearly turn off getting that sucker to start. I give the battery 2-3 weeks.

*sigh* someone had to drain my bank account (damn you QT... compete with gas stations) So ill have to wait. This is more than likely going to leave me stranded at home or work