I'm looking for a new battery for my FC. I want a battery good enough to run a stereo system and still got enough juice to run the rest of the electric junk in the car. I've heard of Exide being a good maker, but what about others like Optima?

 

i used to think optima was one of the best but after 2 batteries and acid etched spots on my truck i now think differently.

 

i would think optima

 

i agree with KARACK the optimas are not as good as u would think i have been through two yellow tops (deep cycle)and two red tops they are over rated, i would say a .die hard battery

 

I've had good luck with the superstart oreiley brand one myself.

 

My optima is doing fine.

But then again, it does look badass. But it doesn't really do much more (if anything) then my prior Wal-Mart batteries.

 

whats the best battery to run in the compartment behind the passenger seat? i know you cant use regular ones or youll suficate. i think it was called a dry cell are they all high output?

 

The only time the battery powers anything (other than the starter motor) is when the engine is off and the key is turned to "accessories." In that situation, the battery runs everything electrical. When the engine is running, the alternator powers everything, and recharges the battery from the drain of the starter. The battery just sits there, getting recharged, and powering nothing. So, if you're concerned with electrical power while your driving the car, it's the alternator's output that you want to be concerned about, not the battery. Old-time mechanics used to test the alternator by disconnecting the battery while the engine was running, with all power accessories (radio, ac, wipers, etc.) on, and if the alternator was good, everything would keep working. So the battery wasn't even in the circuit, but all of the electrical items would work.

 

my ac-delco works fine and i have a 1000w stereo system wit 2 12" subs. when i installed it there was barely a drop of voltage. stock voltmeter btw

 

With a regular battery you wont suffocate. Batteries only displace hydrogen when they are being deepcycled. I have one in their now and I am ok. My friend also used a regular battery in his 240 and he is ok as well. People just seem to know hydrogen is displaced and that it is bad thing, but that's all. It's just messier. Not enough get's displaced on a regular basis to cause problems.

Let's see how much I get flamed.

 

you should call mazdatrix and tell them the situation im sure they can give you an answer....

 

I've had good luck with Interstate batteries. Don't even think about those wally world "n"ever start batteries.

As far as power, the alternator post is correct. Alternator amp output is the main thing. The factory alt only supplies 60-70 amp. I kept blowing them with my stereo in.

 

diehard

 

most retail store batteries are made by one of three companies

exide, delphi, or johnson controls

so when you buy a wal-mart battery and take it in to autozone to get charged/tested and they give you crap for it being from wal-mart, you say "Yeah dumbass, it's made by Johnson Controls just like every one of those dura-lasts on your shelf."

but actually i think all three companies make batteries for wal-mart. so you might wanna check the label before you call the guy a dumbass.

i saw a list somewhere of which manufacturers makes which "brands"
edit: yep here's a link http://shopping.yahoo.com/premium/co...ml?id=95700426

 

nopistons is right.
It's not the battery's responsibility to power everything after the engine is running.
Get an upgraded alternator.


-Ted

 

just a quick question, is the reason for the upgrade just for your stereo? If thats the only reason i would just go with one of those large capacitors from crutchfield or bestbuy. All your pretty much gonna do is overwork your alternator which could cause premature failure.
Actually here is crutchfields prices
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0eHxlix...skipvs=T&g=710

Or like the rest of the people said, upgrade the alty.

 

A "cap" does not prevent premature failure if you're overworking your alternator.
Nothing will do that.


-Ted

 

I have used my yellow top optima for about a year now, its perfectly fine,best battery I ever used even had a test done with a VAT45 like 2 weeks ago, and my battery was perfect

 

i know i miswrote it. What i mean was if its just stereo get the capacitor. But if he wanted to skip the capacitor idea, and keep running his stereo without any upgrades to his charging system, it would wear his alty faster than normal. Thats all i meant.

 

what size of optima battery do you guys use?
the website says 35 or 75/35, but another member suggested 34/78

 

I got a yellow top optima which I bough used and I've had no problem with it and I've had it for over a year now. It's so far been used in two car's my old 323 and my rx-7 both with a stereo

 

what size?

 

The quality of the Optima in the last few years has gone down the pooper compared to what it once was. Since the factory was sold and they are selling more and more in the discount stores quality has sort of taken a hit.

If you want a high quality battery, look at the offerings by Deka. The Intimidator is a great battery if you are willing to pay by they also offer several other more "normal" models.

 

What size? I'm currently running a 35B, and i don't see any offerings in the Intimidator line in that size.

 

Wow there is a lot of misinformation being spread in this forum...