Another battery life question.

[studegary]

A few years ago, I went to an auction of the contents of a fairly new auto accessory store (the owner died at home due to a fall from a stepladder). I bought several things, including shelving. I passed on a new Group 24 type of Optimum battery for $35 because I didn't need a battery then. When I got home, I looked up the price and realized that I should have bought it for a spare (20-20 vision of hindsight).

EDIT: The $35 also included the display/sales rack.

[StudeRich]

I am pretty sure it is entirely Wrong to say that "Most" Batteries today are "Sealed".

Lead Acid Batteries need to vent and they do have very limited "Vents", unlike Batteries of old that had the individual round Caps with large Vents, and acid forming Tar Tops.

So they make a lot less mess, but no they are not sealed and can not run on their side or tipped at all.

Optimas are not Lead Acid, and have no Liquid, ARE Sealed and they may be shipped in the mail.

[Hallabutt]

Jeff,

In all honesty I have had no personal knowledge of 12V Optima batteries. For my drivers I have used a mish-mosh of whatever seems the best deal at the time. They usually last about 7-10 years with the last three years being relegated to back-up service for some of my 12V collector cars, where winter reliability is less of an issue. You indicated the price differential of $135 for a conventional, size 78, 800CCA Diehard, and $227 for a similar Optima. This peaked my curiosity, what could I find? A quick scan on the internet got me to an Optima on Amazon-8004-003 FFP, 34/78, 800CCA, with free shipping for $155.99. Honestly that made me wonder why I was even playing around with anything else for my drivers. Thanks, your response to the thread opened my eyes to how stupid I have been to have continued with the status quo, when there was really a better choice. I should have been using Optima batteries for my drivers all along!-Bill

[jnormanh]

Jeff,

In all honesty I have had no personal knowledge of 12V Optima batteries. For my drivers I have used a mish-mosh of whatever seems the best deal at the time. They usually last about 7-10 years with the last three years being relegated to back-up service for some of my 12V collector cars, where winter reliability is less of an issue. You indicated the price differential of $135 for a conventional, size 78, 800CCA Diehard, and $227 for a similar Optima. This peaked my curiosity, what could I find? A quick scan on the internet got me to an Optima on Amazon-8004-003 FFP, 34/78, 800CCA, with free shipping for $155.99. Honestly that made me wonder why I was even playing around with anything else for my drivers. Thanks, your response to the thread opened my eyes to how stupid I have been to have continued with the status quo, when there was really a better choice. I should have been using Optima batteries for my drivers all along!-Bill

Well, your Amazon price piqued my interest too. That surely is a good deal.

Rather make another post, I need to set one thing straight. StudeRich claims Optima batteries do not use sulfuric acid.

Here's the Optima MSDS.

https://d26maze4pb6to3.cloudfront.ne.../MSDS_2014.pdf

Notice that it lists as hazardous components lead and sulfuric acid 35%, liquid. Yep, it's a lead-acid battery in a fancy case. With a vent.

Consumer Reports comparison tested the Optima against a half dozen lead-acid batteries in rectangular cases. They rated them all equally. The Optima was neither better nor worse.

As I said - your money, your choice.