[Tigers] Battery replacement time

[Steve Laifman]

Jim,

I use an Optima "RedTop" in all my cars.  (These are NOT the higher 
priced, shorter warranty batteries made for Marine application.)

First, they are sealed from leakage and corrosion that ensues. The "Red 
Top" side and top terminal are a bit pricey. retails for  $150 +. Then, 
they last a long time, especially when left on  the car,while garaged.


http://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/Optima-Batteries/Product-Line/Optima-RedTop-Starting-12-Volt-Batteries/?autoview=SKU 
<cid:part1.05050503.06040705 at socal.rr.com>

Then there is the "Deltran Battery Tender Plus".  It is about $45-$60, 
and It's worked well for extended "garage time"  No "overcharging or 
heating".

http://www.autogeek.net/batterytender.html 
<cid:part2.02020001.00090103 at socal.rr.com>

http://www.batterymart.com/p-del-021-0128.html
<cid:part3.00050400.06000308 at socal.rr.com>
They say:

/"What is a Battery Tender? It's a device that plugs into a standard AC 
outlet and transfers power in the form of amps to your 12 V battery to 
keep it operational over long periods of inactivity. Battery Tender 
battery chargers are essential if you have seasonal vehicles that sit 
for months without being used. With a Battery Tender, your vehicle's 
battery will still be as fresh as the day you left it."
/
 This is NOT a "charger" (no matter what the ad might say) but a very 
compact charge maintainer. If you don't use your car as a "daily 
driver", this is a needed expenditure.  Don't think of the initial cost, 
alone. Estimate the cost of lead-acid  battery, and how often you will 
be replacing it.  Additionally,  have you priced the costs of replacing 
the corroded trunk floor (either a piece or entirely).  The source in 
Canada for repo steel is out of business, and the Alpine doesn't have 
the correct fittings for the trunk, only under the "battery box" lid.

As the Brits say:  "Spend the pence so you don't have to spend the pound!"

Steve


Steve Laifman

Editor

http://TigersUnited.com



Rollright at aol.com wrote:
> Hello,
>  
> My battery is getting soggy and needs to be replaced.
>  
> I have a Delco Freedom in there now, and a relatively standard  compression 
> 260 (though recently rebuilt).
>  
> Is there any "go to" battery out there these days? Anybody more than  
> averagely pleased with what they have?
>  
>  
> Best regards to all, (except Tod Brown)
>  
> Jim Armstrong