I have Optimas under the hood now. They have been in the truck for 7-8 years. the batteries are starting to get weak, hence I need new batteries.

I searched, and found posts that say that the optimas are crap now. I went to Sears and looked at the Platinum batteries. $190.00 ea . Total is $413.00 if I install the batteries, $30.00 more if Sears installs them. WOW!!!



Costco has the 720CCa red tops for $115.00. I know that 750cca is the rec battery for the CTD. Will the 720cca`s work?

I like having batteries that I don`t have to fool with. You know, cleaning terminals, acid, gases, etc.

Is there an alternative sealed battery besides the Sears Plat, or the Red Top?

 

DEKA from East Penn Manufacturing or Odyssey are 2 of a handfull of sources for absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries.

 

NAPA sells Orbitals. Same type technology as Optimas. Mine are over 7 years old, no issues yet.

 

My understanding is there was only one batch of bad Optimas that gave the rest a bad name.
I got 12 years out of my first pair of redtops and one is still powering a Kubota tractor, the other an electric fence.
Hard to beat that and justify going with another brand.

 

I have been researching local vendors for the Optima's, they run about $250 CAD a piece... Man I wish I could find them for under $200.

 

I would personally stay away from anything that is DEKA. Worst battery Ive ever owned.

 

I didn't say it I endorsed them. A lot of truck shops have good life from them. At my previous job we returned about 200 of them.
I have the same opinion for anything made by Exide.

 

I know John - I was just saying to get it out there.

 

I've got red tops in mine and no problems yet. They are about $130 at SAMS club.

 

Well I needed batteries fast and I have good luck with the Optimas, BUT the warrenty at Sears was hard to pass up. So I went with the Sears Plats. I went to PepBoys and the Redtops were the same price as the Plats, 3yr war vs 4yr war.

Thanks for the recs. If I have or don`t have any problems I will post it up.

 

Just pulled the trigger myself on some yellow tops today... The best price I could find was $225 CAD each..