I have to replace my alternator, voltage regulator, some melted wiring, and my battery after my car was "jumped" to move it around storage. The guy offered to pay for the damage so I was wondering what is the best battery that will hold a charge long enough so it doesnt need to be "jumped" again?
289 4v stock
thanks

 

What caused the melted wires? Were the cables hooked backward? Even if this happened I can see component damage, but it shouldn't have caused melted wiring....

I THINK there must be something else going on.

Regardless, I used to like premium batteries like Optima, and Odyssey, but IMO the newer Optimas are trash, and the other AGM batteries are kind of a waste of money. I would just go with an Interstate battery or even a parts store brand....

IMO something caused all the smoke to leave your wires, so, I would disconnect the negative post while the car is in storage. And remember to fully charge the new battery before dumping it into storage. (A 2 amp charge for several hours will be best)

 

Melted wiring sounds like a bad ground or the cables were on the wrong post.

 

As an opposing opinion, I love Optima batteries. I've had good luck with mine, and most of my customers that have them have had good luck with theirs. Most of the ones I get back as warranties have been drained out and recharged too quickly, either by the alternator or by a plug-in quick charger.

Optimas absolutely must be charged at a slow rate (2A or less) if they're discharged below ~12V. Charging them too quickly from a low state of charge will boil the electrolyte, which can't be replaced. In addition, Red Tops don't like to be discharged completely anyway. If they sit for a while at a low charge, it's hard to bring them back up even with a slow charger. They'll hold a charge for quite a while with no current draw, but like JMD said, I'd disconnect the negative terminal before storage.

 

A deep cycle battery like Optma yellow top can be completly discharged and it doesn't hurt it at all, but they cost $200+. A premium $100 battery with about 800CCA will last a long time and will take quite a few complete discharges. My favorite is Sears Diehard Gold.

Nothing will prevent damage from jumper cables hooked up backwards, sounds like that's what happened.

As mentioned, disconnecting the negative terminal when storing is best, when practical. Disconnecting the wire to the radio and any amp or CD changer, would help if you must leave the battery connected.

 

IMO, the older "Made in USA" Optimas were good batteries, but the newer made in Mexico Optimas suck... (I have heard that Optima is moving production back to the USA)

I have a stack of reds, with a yellow thrown in for good measure. I don't mind paying premium money for a premium product, but paying double money for a battery that won't survive a single discharge, not so much....

I am one of those folks who are more than disappointed with Optima, I am pissed.

 

AAA replacement battery baby!

 

Battery talk can be as bad as oil or tire brand threads.......never a consensus. I average 6 years and well over 100,000 miles on the batteries of my daily driven cars....(I drive 30k per year, every year).......and I do not use a battery maintainer of any kind. I buy whatever the stock replacement is from Autozone.....nothing fancy. EVERYTIME I shut the engine off I turn off ALL devices that draw power with the switch on that I have control over......radio....a/c.....fan......lights.......I do this religously. I am a firm believer in every little bit you do to prolong mechanical life paysoff in the long run. (I NEVER turn the heater on in a vehicle until the thermostat opens.......heater robs the engine of heat needed to get the oil up to proper temp quickly which prolongs engine life).

Maintain your charging and electrical system and your battery should be fine......why go the cost of the Optimas and such, if it is unnecessary?

I'm always amazed when I ride with other people who leave the radio blasting and A/C on MAX with the fan fully on when they shut off the engine. (And they complain when they go through a car battery every year.)

To me it's like not filling the oil filter with oil prior to installation........it's a small thing, but it does serve a purpose........longer engine and parts life!!



Just my .02.........take it for what's it's worth. :-)

 

I agree with flacopilot. Why spend the money on an optima when there are other batteries I think are just as good? I bought an interstate for mine, maybe around $100 or so and it's been fine ever since. I run the store brand in my other cars too, never any issues. I've replaced the battery in my 93 toyota truck once since it was new. Not bad when I got 13-14 years out of one battery. It comes down to what you want and how much you want to spend.

Newer cars have so many more electrcial demands, which does shorten the battery life. My Honda Pilot's battery lasted 3 years before it crapped out. Just fyi.

 

Best Battery:

Well it depends on:

1. How deep are your pockets?

2. What do you need it for? Racing where every ounce of weight matters or Every day driving where the normal heavy fat cheap battery will work?

The hands down best battery PERIOD will cost you well over 2 GRAND. Braille Lithium Ion Battery weight only a few lbs and give the voltage of the 50 pound batterys give. **This is for the serious hardcore racer**

Optima: I don't recommend them. At All. I've had 2 outta 4 of my last Optimas die in less than a month of normal use. (Different vehicles.. I go through a new car every 6 months.) And they are not very light... at all.

Braille: Great Batteries. Your paying for the brand. There is an off brand of these, but they don't make the knockoff Lithiums' though. Light and powerful. A normal use light weight Braille Battery will run 280.00+ depending on the application.

Odyssey: Another good brand. I have no experience with them.

And your going for the original look in your vintage stang.. there is ONLY one choice:



But these batteries are crazy heavy.... 51lbs+ but they look great under the hood.