Battery Recommendations

[dmention7]

After my little incident at the camping trip (dead battery after about 30 minutes of leaving my headlights on), I think it's time to start shopping for a new battery. I just wanted to gather some suggestions, since I'd like to get something maybe a step above the ol' "Autozone special".

I don't have any crazy plans for an audio system--maybe I'd be looking at 600w total between the HU and sub. The only other consideration I can think of, is that I plan on garaging the car during the winter.

Suggestions on what to buy, and where to buy it?

[DrWebster]

Optimas are definitely worth a look, and, surprisingly, I've heard a lot of good about DieHard batteries.

[Big Nate]

Yellow top optima nuff said.

[dmention7]

I was pretty sure the yellow top would come up, but is there a specific reason you're recommending it? I mean, I need a pretty solid justification to spend that kind of money on a battery. I understand it's a deep cycle battery, but would that be a better way to go than using a trickle charger when it's garaged? Especially since I plan on going with a relatively tame audio system.


EDIT: And just so you guys don't think I'm a lazy idiot, I think that having Q & A threads like this (even if they're about relatively basic topics) is a good way to increase traffic in the tech section of the forum. I'm sure I could look up this info on some other forum... but then, that would kind of defeat the purpose of having a technical section on this forum.

[Big Nate]

I would say yes it is better for the simple fact that it is a sealed unit and has no acid to leak all over your new turbo. Pluss being a turbo car the engine bay is hotter then a N/A car so there is a chance of decrease bat life with a wet cell.

[micahlarson]

I would go with a red top optima because it has the highest cca (cold cranking amps) of all the deep cycle batteries that are in the optima line (over 800) and it also has the sealed factor and a much higher reserve power than most other batteries so if you plan on doing ignition system it will def. help in the future

[dmention7]

I was under the impression that the main difference between red and yellow top was that the yellows are deep cycle, whereas the reds are not.... is that incorrect?

[micahlarson]

yup
they are all deep cycle.

[mazdamn02]

I'm bumpin to some stock stereo action with my red top, lol.

[pingwin77]

I'm in the same boat now and was wondering where the best places are to pick up one of these optima batteries?

[dmention7]

$150 with free shipping is about the best I've seen...

http://bigtimebattery.com/store/optima_35_red_top_battery.html

[micahlarson]

see if map will give you guys a group buy discount or you could possibly buy them from where I used to work they were 175 I believe for red... migt be cheaper at kath

[dmention7]

Group buy is a good idea. My battery is on its last legs right now, and I've been putting off that $150 as long as possible. I'll check and see if they'd be able to hook us up with a two-fer dsicount.

[pingwin77]

that could be cool, which one are you going with, yellow or red?

[dmention7]

redtop for me. pretty sure the yellow is overkill unless you have a big-ass stereo