batteries

[konastinky1234]

i need to get a new battery so i think i am going to go with the optima yellow top or red top. i am running my winch and 6 big lights so i have got to step up my battery since it keeps dying on me. any comments, suggestion for other batteries or on the optimas?

also, dual battery systems. i looked into the systems briefly and saw that i will need a battery tray which is like 140$ from quadratec plus a 240$ waterproof wiring system to run both of the batteries. does anyone have any experience with dual battery systems? i am just not so sure that it will be worth it for me wince i do not run the winch all that often. it's kind of expensive but would be an excellent battery system if i did have it. oh, and i was just planning on using my current stock battery as the second one which i guess would work but it's just sort of there as a back up.

help me with the decision please.

[XJLI]

i'd upgrade your alternator before going dual battery. i'm running a deka 70 standard-type battery and its beast.

people have mixed experiences with optimas, but i can fully recommend the deka intimidator (deka's optima) my friend had one that went on 4 different cars (2 jeeps) and it was fully discharged about 50 times. still worked awesome

[clean4drxj]

i have an optima redtop in my xj and it's been working great for 4 years...

[Adam]

If you discharge a yellow top they need to be charged in parallel off two normal car batteries

If an OPTIMA is deeply discharged (below 10.5 volts) most basic chargers will not supply a charge. Also keep in mind an OPTIMA will not recharge properly if treated as a regular flooded or gel battery. To charge the battery, you can wire a second fully charged automotive battery (12+V) to the discharged AGM in parallel (+ to + and – to –). Then hook up the charger to either battery, setting the charger at 10 amps. Leave for two hours, monitoring frequently. During this process if the discharged battery gets very hot or if it is venting (hissing sound from vents) then stop this process immediately. When the discharged battery reaches 10.5 volts or more, remove the standard battery and continue charging the AGM until fully charged.

[crosbike]

Sears Diehard Platinum, 4 year warranty, rebadged Odyssey.