Ok I have a winch,, Piaa lights and a Optima Red Top now that had
670 CCA's yesterday I recharged it up to 770 CCA's.

Today I rechecked it and it was back down to 702 cca's,,, 800cca's it what
it came with and at times it was over 800 cca's.

So its time to get a new battery I was thinking about a Yellow top Optima,,
I would like to have two batterys but my setup will not allow it.

The Red Top is about 6 years old.

I would like to have 1000 CCA's with only one battery.

So what do you think????

Optima Yellow// Red Top,,, altogether a different battery.

 

I read lots of debates about batteries when I was looking to replace mine. For a single battery setup like you want I think a Sears Platinum Marine (PM-1) would be the way to. The other option is an Odyssey 2150 for almost 2x the cost. But get this, The PM-1 and and 2150 are the same battery, made at the same factory, just labeled differently. I have a Blue Top and they (Optima's) sound hit and miss. I know DiscoMike swears by his dual Yellow Top setup. In August while at Pismo I saw a BT have an internal short and one of the terminals glowed red hot, burning a hole right through a leather work glove. The battery shorted when the winch was pulling someone (a person, not a vehicle) up a dune. When I get the RTE bumper installed with the XD9000i, I'll be getting a PM-1.

 

I looked at the Odyssey 2150,, its to big for my battery tray same with the
PM-1 and the smaller models are about the same CCA's and reserve as a Yellow top.
I have to go with a group 34.

I do like the idea of more options..
I'm working on a hookup on a Yellow top from one of our parts suppliers.

 

The Diehard at sears is THE battery to get. Hands down. Same exact battery as the odyssey for much cheaper.

 

I too think that the Optima batteries are overrated. I have heard way to many stories of them failing in a short amount of time.
I also wont spend $200 on a battery when a $100 battery from AutoZone with a 7 yr warrenty will do the same job.
I think the one I bought for my truck is 900 CCA.

 

Cost is relative, I want a battery that won't leave me stuck
with a 30 mile walk. I do backpack but walking for help is not fun.
I wish I couldhave another truck with me but it doesn't happen all the time.

The Optima Red Tophas the best coverage of the Optima's.
The Yellow has the least.
I thinking about the Sears battery,,Nation wide Sears Stores.

For me a battery is not just about starting the truck.
I had Dual batterys in my last 4x4, and as soon as I find a way to do it in my Disco I most likely will.

 

You have a series 1 Disco, dual batteries are easy in those, just relocate you bottle jack, chop down the horn on the air intake (if need be), and you can plop almost any battery in that space.

The D2 V8 and TD5 are more of an issue...........but my setup is "brewing"in the pipeline

As far as battery type, I have a yellow top, and so far been great.........if you have additional loads in your truck, you would be better of with a yellow top rather than a red top as the redtops wont deep cycle without damage. Yellow top gives you best of both worlds.

I also red bad reports on the yellow tops, but how many fail to how many are sold and abused in the offroad enviroment and perform well. You will always hear about the "big" name failures, but who posts when their local battery store battery dies........no one really....

 

I like your new avatar Panzer. Really cool. Got any more pics or vids of that wade? Did water come in threw the doors or anywhere? how deep did it get? headlights? over hood?

 

Cheers Jupiter

Your new avatar looks a little "action packed" aswell.

My avatar is a piccy from a video, if you click my signature image you can watch it. the deepest point is where the piccy is snapped from, the bow wave has gone and the water is about top of bonnet level just as I exited out. the Rangie before me is lifted by 2" so that will give an idea of depth to. Also watch the wave come back of the bank lol, I nearly got very wet!!!

No water except a small amount at the corner of the front doors. The factory door seals have splits in them, these have been sealed up and it seems to keep most of it out (as long as you keep moving lol) here is same wade but incar vid, excuse the screams lol
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MbYi9N0v7eE

This video is deeper andlot longer and once your in its go for it!! A bit more water came in here from where it got very "rocky" (side to side) but still not that much

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hgDz9a...eature=channel

And another river crossing in North Wales

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=D_sX3-...eature=channel

After all the wading I have done, all that ever happens really is that the Horns fill up with water as they are in a perfect place to scoop it up, hence I have re-located them now coz I got sick of emptying them out lol

 

I have a Mantec snorkel that comes in next to the jack .
So I can't put the extra battery there.

After talking to a friend that sells Optima at a large auto chain told me about
how if you have a Optima that did not come from them your warranty did not mean a thing
you would have to take it back to where you got it for the warranty.

My Optima Red top has lasted 6 years,,but my next battery will be the Sears/Odyssey.
As I travel and can find a Sears almost anyplace in the US.

Disco2Guy Thanks for the heads up on the Odyssey and the Sears batterys.
Jupiter Rover thanks for the info on the batterys as the same.