What car battery does one recommend[and where is a good place to buy besides costco?]

[Thrmionicshaman]

I seems like sooner than later it's time for a new battery for my Volvo 1979 242 DL. The plug (on the side of the battery not the water plugs) under the positive terminal has popped out of place and some crusty stuff is coming out behind it. The battery in question came with my car and is at least 4-5 years old and a Duralast brand. I am looking for something with a good warranty,plenty of cold-cranking amps-at least 820, and if ?dry-cell is that much better? BTW I have a Pioneer DEH?1800 stereo powered by the head unit iself <200W and the car is currently starting and drive-able. There countless helpful individuals on XS and I am open to any input. I very much appreciate any help/suggestions

[zanzabar]

costco has the best price for wet cells (and they are basically all the same), or if u dont want to buy another battery ever get a gel battery like an optima they are priced nicely at summit or u can get them at the local parts stores (napa is most likely the best priced retailer as they give a AAA discount)

[Thrmionicshaman]

Thank you! The gel battery sounds right up my alley, there is a NAPA store in the San Fernando Valley where I live and I happen to have AAA. I'll post back when I have made my purchase

[STEvil]

I have a pair of red tops in my truck, work great, even after getting cooked at 20+ volts once by mistake.. lol.

Your head unit is only about 100 watts, btw.

[StickyRICE]

Napa orbital stuff sucked for me, I had to replace once a year went thru 3 of them and got me a redtop now so see how long they last. The Sears diehard platinum stuff souppose to be very good.

[Judaeus Apella]

Last time I bought a really good one from a place called Goodyear, with much better cold crank than the old one in the truck I don't have anymore. Very durable battery, and it could take a lot of abuse. Also started my old truck when it was literally a block of ice. I'm not kidding. The truck was encased in several inches of ice and buried in the snow. LOL

They're a sh*t place to get mechanical service but I will say they sell damn good batteries there. That was about five years ago though.

[fatherTime27]

cant go wrong with a yellow top optima

[amd4me]

I think a yellow top optima would be overkill for your application seeing as how you done have a high ampere draw. So I would recommend the red top which is about 50 bucks less.

[Thrmionicshaman]

Thank you to all who have replied. I appreciate it. The suggestions are very helpful to steer me toward a comfortable decision which, for me, is looking like an optima battery-once budget allows.


1979 Volvo 242 DL K-Jet 2.1L, M45 tranny
Stock w/K&N air filter

[Frag Maniac]

I've had good luck with an Exide Orbital. Several yrs ago I snatched one at a great price of $87, but they're up to about $125 now.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-...l-battery.html

The Orbital I had used spiral gel coated layer technology, just like the Optima, so I don't know what the guy in the above thread is talking about as far as them getting a patent for it only in Spain. I live in the US.

[Charles Wirth]

+1 Optima gel battery

I liked the Energizer until I drained it dead and it never came back to half of what it was.

[STEvil]

For the record i've toasted 4 red tops... they were subject to extreme duty, though, so its ok

[zanzabar]

For the record i've toasted 4 red tops... they were subject to extreme duty, though, so its ok

what did u do for that, im still on the original gel mastercraft that came with my 95 f150 when my parents bought it new (16 years ago)

and arnt u supposed to go yellow tops for heavy duty use

[STEvil]

Two were in a tractor next to the motor so they were hot all day long every day... when being used. Still lasted 3 years..

Two received 20+ volts for about an hour when the regulator went out on the alternator of my truck. One died, the other just deformed a bit and works perfectly fine still actually..