Optima vs XS Power Battery

[AveryMcLawhorn]

Originally Posted by 340Cuda

I have only used the Optima and Interstate AGM batteries and I have had good luck with both.

Which Optima battery have you used? I had a red top but looking at a yellow top for a deep cycle battery. Also what battery charger did you use for the AGM batteries?

[GTX JOHN]

We strictly use the Red Tops.

[SGSST109E]

I have always used yellow tops. They starting batteries as well. I have used battery tender and Schumacker chargers. The key with an optima is to not exceed 14.8 volts when charging. They will taken any current you throw at them but over voltage is a killer

[curtis reed]

Read through this thread also. I suggest Odyssey batteries.



https://www.classracer.com/classforu...ad.php?t=78607

[steven reynolds]

If you are talking about 16 volt batteries, I'm not a big fan, you can't just go in a parts store and buy 1 and the 16s take a special charger just my opinion.

[340Cuda]

Originally Posted by steven reynolds

If you are talking about 16 volt batteries, I'm not a big fan, you can't just go in a parts store and buy 1 and the 16s take a special charger just my opinion.

As I have mentioned my son manages the local Interstate Battery dealership.

Whenever there is a big race hear in Tulsa it is common for him to get calls from one or more desperate racers looking for a sixteen volt battery.

[Rory McNeil]

Must be because I am cheap, but I have been running "regular" batteries with god luck for decades. My bracket car has a 27 series Interstate in the trunk that has been in there for 13 years now, probably replace it this year. My old F350 had a 27 series DieHard that lasted for 17 years, impressed so much that both my current trucks also have DieHards. My Mustang Stocker had the small factory size 56 series under the hood, ran the same Interstate battery for 10 years. I did have a blue top Optima in my trailer, for running the winch and lights, but was never able to get it fully charged with my regular battery charger, even doing the PITA second battery and cables trick that Optima suggested. Swapped out the Optima for a less than 1/2 the price deep cycle battery, from a local battery wholesaler, works great. A trick, or really lightweight battery is cool and all, but I prefer something that works every time, and if it was to fail, I could find at any auto parts store.

[340Cuda]

Originally Posted by AveryMcLawhorn

Which Optima battery have you used? I had a red top but looking at a yellow top for a deep cycle battery. Also what battery charger did you use for the AGM batteries?

Currently I am using a yellow top Optima for my ignition and an Interstate AGM for everything else, starter, fuel pumps, water pump and fans. My car does not have an alternator.

Before for many years, I ran a red top for the ignition and and a yellow top for everything else. They both lasted a long time.

My son has worked at and now manages the local Interstate Batteries dealership for over twenty years.

I really don't remember his rational in going to the yellow top for the ignition but I just followed his recommendation. He has a car he runs in Hot Rod's Drag Week and even though it has an alternator he runs a yellow top Optima in it. If you are interested in why he chose the yellow top for my car I can ask him about it.

I charge the batteries with a Black and Decker "smart battery charger" that has an AGM setting.

However at the track while I am charging the accessory battery with the Black and Decker I will top off the ignition battery with an ancient Craftsman 10 amp charger.

I will probably purchase another smart charger to use at the track. In a perfect world I would like one what would independently charge two batteries.