88gmctruck
02GMCtruck
I forgot to mention I bought my batteries at Costco. One of the best places to buy them because if they go bad within the warranty period you take them back no questions asked.
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Need a good set of 6.2L/6.5L batteries that don't mind sitting for days-weeks.
- Thread starter GM Guy
- Start date
packratt
Active Member
Get yourself a battery tender and plug them in. Basically it is a maintenance trickle charger that keeps them charged when not in use.
Got one on our '49 International Cub which would have the 6V battery die frequently. It was the best $50 that's been spent on that tractor. Also have one on my bank of deep cycles.
Another option is a Solar battery minder that you plug into the cig lighter and set on the dash.
Got one on our '49 International Cub which would have the 6V battery die frequently. It was the best $50 that's been spent on that tractor. Also have one on my bank of deep cycles.
Another option is a Solar battery minder that you plug into the cig lighter and set on the dash.
ak diesel driver
6.5 driver
same here bought my optimas at costco and I think I qualify as far as starting in cold weather
SmithvilleD
Active Member
x2 on the battery tender suggestion. Even the very inexpensive Harbor Freight battery tenders are effective in preventing the deep discharge (when not run/charged very often) that kills starting batteries.
I've used the cheapest Harbor Freight tender that often goes on sale for ~$8 for many years on a heavy duty garden tractor that only gets run in the winter to move snow. Keeping the tender on it in the winter extended average battery life from 5 years before the tender, to 10 years & still going.
They also make one that gets mounted onboard & will actually charge at a rate up to 2 amps, besides acting as a tender once the battery is topped up. It works well also. Believe Matt B. is using one also.
I've used the cheapest Harbor Freight tender that often goes on sale for ~$8 for many years on a heavy duty garden tractor that only gets run in the winter to move snow. Keeping the tender on it in the winter extended average battery life from 5 years before the tender, to 10 years & still going.
They also make one that gets mounted onboard & will actually charge at a rate up to 2 amps, besides acting as a tender once the battery is topped up. It works well also. Believe Matt B. is using one also.
GM Guy
Manual Trans. 2WD Enthusiast
So is the consensus optimas, just don't expect them to be as good as the previous models, and then the napa/exide orbitals? both are easily acessable in this town.
I have both brands. See what the best price and warranty would be. Can't go wrong with those choices.
nobby
Old Timey Diesel Guy
As already mentioned a battery maintainer is the best way to deal with a battery not in regular use and the solar panel style ones work well and no need to be close to an outlet. I regularly install small solar maintainers on boats and RV's with great results.
If you are not going to maintain then yes a VRLA style battery (AGM/Gel) fairs way better than a regular flooded under self discharge and is one of their strong selling points. I have left AGM/Gels sat around fully charged upon leaving for months at a time with no issues. Which ones well seems to me that this discussion then becomes complex because it also becomes an issue of how they fare during use which sort of becomes a which oil discussion. In the automotive world the VRLA of choice is an AGM as it is more of a starter battery than a gel type, in the starter style I have used and installed with good results both optima and orbital. Though I am now a wee bit concerned with the whole issue of optima going to Mexico, I will more than likely go with orbital from now on.
Note though self discharge is relative to temperature and a fully charged regular flooded will fare better in the winter time usually with no real harm done if left for a month or so open circuit with clean tops. They also must be charged to avoid freezing issues as well as to ensure a good capacity to withstand self-discharge. IIRC a 80% discharged flooded will freeze at around 15 - 20 F, 50% discharged around -15 F whereas a charged one will freeze at -95 F
Cheers
Nobby
If you are not going to maintain then yes a VRLA style battery (AGM/Gel) fairs way better than a regular flooded under self discharge and is one of their strong selling points. I have left AGM/Gels sat around fully charged upon leaving for months at a time with no issues. Which ones well seems to me that this discussion then becomes complex because it also becomes an issue of how they fare during use which sort of becomes a which oil discussion. In the automotive world the VRLA of choice is an AGM as it is more of a starter battery than a gel type, in the starter style I have used and installed with good results both optima and orbital. Though I am now a wee bit concerned with the whole issue of optima going to Mexico, I will more than likely go with orbital from now on.
Note though self discharge is relative to temperature and a fully charged regular flooded will fare better in the winter time usually with no real harm done if left for a month or so open circuit with clean tops. They also must be charged to avoid freezing issues as well as to ensure a good capacity to withstand self-discharge. IIRC a 80% discharged flooded will freeze at around 15 - 20 F, 50% discharged around -15 F whereas a charged one will freeze at -95 F
Cheers
Nobby
turbovanman
I has boost, :O)
Interstate is what I sell and use. I have a yellow top Optima in my turbo van and it sucks the big hairy one, goes flat in a few days and has no reserve. Going to warranty it for a 2nd time, :mad2:
Using a used red top Optima on my diesel van with a brand new Interstate MT78, so far, its been below 0 deg C and started easily.