Author Topic: (Optima) Batteries ? (Read 4853 times)

Roadkill · « **on:** March 05, 2009, 09:58:28 am »

It's rapidly getting to the point where I need to start getting some juice back into the Z28 . . .

The old battery is long dead so I need a new one.

Now, I'd normally be happy just to buy one from the local parts guy but as the battery is located in the spare wheel-well in the boot I really should get a gel battery.

So I'm looking at Optima's.

Jamie recently pointed out that a "Red Top" is more suitable for me as I have NO I.C.E at all - not even a radio and no other major drains on the battery.

Question is - as I know nothing about electrics and draws and charging blah, blah, blah - what Red-Top do I need ?

For the weight of these things I am NOT looking to import one, so eBay (U.K) is my likely source.

Could someone recommend one to me so I can pick one up next pay day ?

Roadkill · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2009, 10:09:40 am »

The "standard" seems to be the 4.2L versions at 17.2kg.

However I found this one :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OPTIMA-RED-TOP-BATTERY-RT-S-3-7-8020-255_W0QQitemZ260367050448QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Other_Vehicle_Parts_Accessories_ET?hash=item260367050448&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

. . . . Which is nearly 3kg lighter and is fractionally shorter and 30mm lower, too.

Would this do ?

EDIT -

There's also a tiny little 2.1 version but that's 6V - I'm guessing no good.

HardRockCamaro · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2009, 12:43:21 pm »

I can ask my guy who I am doing a battery website for, he's a wholesaler and I know he sells Optimas.

FUBAR · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2009, 12:47:47 pm »

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

I can ask my guy who I am doing a battery website for, he's a wholesaler and I know he sells Optimas

Its all about who you know not what you know

Roadkill · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2009, 02:55:54 pm »

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

I can ask my guy who I am doing a battery website for, he's a wholesaler and I know he sells Optimas.

Sweet. If you could.

As I say - the critical bit is that there's little use required other than to physically turn the motor over - and power the lights when it's dark.

EDGE · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2009, 04:41:06 pm »

ahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

LIGHTS !!!!!......

3rd gen headlights are about as much use as 2 hampsters in jam jars lighting their farts... you could proabably get a better light by gaffa taping 2 led torches to the nose cone !!!!!!!!!!

Roadkill · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2009, 04:46:52 pm »

Quoting: EDGE

3rd gen headlights are about as much use as 2 hampsters in jam jars lighting their farts...

True, but my ones won't be a stock set-up . . . hopefully.

HardRockCamaro · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:21:01 pm »

Well the price doesn't seem to vary much no matter which Optima you go for, but they're a shed load of money, in the £200 mark.

That ebay one is a lot cheaper than the wholesale guy buys them at so I'm suspicious as the last person I know who bought a discount optima had it die on him within a year...

Even though it's going in the spare wheel well the guy did ask me why you feel it should be an Optima as he can't see the benefit for your application as while they're *slightly* smaller than lead acid for an equivalent power they're a lot heavier size for size...

He seems to think a lead acid at around 500CCA would be plenty for what you need and pretty compact...
He recons you only need an Optima if you're mounting it on its side or putting it in the passenger compartment with you (in the spare wheel well on the side of a 3rd gen he recons as long as you have a vent a lead acid is fine and an Optima is a waste of money...

FUBAR · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:37:08 pm »

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

as long as you have a vent

into the car or to the outside?

My old car had a vent in that bit... was a fist sized rust hole in the bottom of the well.

HardRockCamaro · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2009, 05:49:36 pm »

To the outside.

the Caddy has one under the rear seat as that is where the batteyr lives.

It also has one in the boot I notice, not sure why...

Rocky · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2009, 06:21:05 pm »

Wouldnt bother with a optima if its just for cranking power

EDGE · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2009, 09:53:04 am »

isnt the boot of a 3rd gen classed as inside the vehicle as its a hatch back???

I'd get the optima matey, its a lot safer, if you have an accident and end up nose own in a ditch the last thing you want is battery acid dripping in your eyes...

at lease you know the optima will stay intact, plus moving the weight over that right rear wheel will help with traction..

Roadkill · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:03:15 am »

Quoting: EDGE

isnt the boot of a 3rd gen classed as inside the vehicle as its a hatch back???

Yeah - that was my thought, too, hence the Optima (which is gel, non-spillable and completely sealed, gas free).

I've found another guy selling new ones for £99 B.I.N !

They don't appear to have any stickers on them or anything so I'm guessing are rejects for some reason . . . . think I'll steer clear of that one.

£125-£150 seem to be the norm on eBay . . . .

Roadkill · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:09:53 am »

The cost of the 3.7L "Red Top" on eBay is £125 + £8 P&P.

On the Optima site it's £175 including P&P.

http://www.optimabattery.co.uk/english_optima/red_top_optima.htm

(the one at the bottom)

Roadkill · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:20:28 am »

Also, as a side note, the 3.7L versions seem to be what they term the "35" in the U.S.

That being the case they make an array of different trays for them . . . . the best and simpliest I've found being these one :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160292502276&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=

EDGE · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:37:48 am »

i'm thinking of getting one for the saleen when i move the battery to the trunk. If there's no solid metal firewall between me and the battery its got to be a gel sealed one..... imo....

Jamieg285 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2009, 11:18:07 am »

Quoting: EDGE

the last thing you want is battery acid dripping in your eyes...

Been there done that - very nasty.

There are alternatives to the Optima, they are not the only spiral cell, gell, no gas etc, batteries out there, just the most well known.

Do some more research before you spend.

HardRockCamaro · « **Reply #17 on:** March 06, 2009, 12:03:31 pm »

Quoting: Roadkill

The cost of the 3.7L "Red Top" on eBay is £125 + £8 P&P.

On the Optima site it's £175 including P&P.

The Optima price is (obviously) correct and the dealer buy isn't much cheaper than that, I was surprised what little margin there is...

I'm puzzled by the ebay prices as they're less than dealer buy.

EDGE · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2009, 01:17:00 pm »

could they be remanufactured ones maybe ?

Roadkill · « **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2009, 02:26:13 pm »

How would you remanufacture a battery ?

Quoting: HardRockCamaro

I'm puzzled by the ebay prices as they're less than dealer buy

I could only guess they import them from the U.S direct ?

HardRockCamaro · « **Reply #20 on:** March 06, 2009, 02:34:34 pm »

I doubt there's that much in it...

Rocky · « **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2009, 06:56:52 pm »

Let me check my supplier i may be able to get it cheaper for you i have to get one for mine anyway due to the sound system. whats the cheapest quote you have been given for one?

Roadkill · « **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2009, 08:29:03 pm »

Quoting: Rocky

whats the cheapest quote you have been given for one?

Cheapest I've found is the £125 + P&P - that's for the 3.7L or "35".

EDGE · « **Reply #23 on:** March 06, 2009, 10:35:22 pm »

I maybe after one too depending on the price!

Roadkill · « **Reply #24 on:** March 09, 2009, 10:48:05 am »

Quoting: Rocky

Let me check my supplier . . . .

Any news, mate ?

It's just that I'm looking to purchase one this week, hopefully . . . .