Optima Battery

[JFP in PA]

2 inches is not a manufacturing tolerance, it is a different length cable............as also indicated by different part numbers……….

[eightsandaces]

I knew a dude that ran Optima batteries in his Searay, they didn't last any longer than lead acid and I don't think they are much lighter. I'll wait till 10 lbs lithium batteries are not 1,200 a unit, easy, serious, weight reduction.

[JFP in PA]

Optima's are lead acid technology, just in a patented AGM sprial wound format. They are lighter by a few pounds than a comparable flooded unit, and they do live a lot longer; often more than twice the life of a conventional flooded design unit. I own four of them, including one that is approaching its tenth birthday, and it recently load tested as though it were brand new.

And don't hold your breath waiting for lithium batteries to come down to the price level of lead acid; it will never happen...................

[JTP]

I had a Redtop in my truck that lasted 11 yrs and my current Yellowtop is on it's 6th year. Great batteries.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

I knew a dude that ran Optima batteries in his Searay, they didn't last any longer than lead acid and I don't think they are much lighter. I'll wait till 10 lbs lithium batteries are not 1,200 a unit, easy, serious, weight reduction.

I had a red top in a seldom driven car for over ten years. It was completely drained at least twice in that time. It was still working great when I put it into another car and then sold the car. I've since put red tops in three more cars over the past seven years and am a true fan.

[eightsandaces]

The lithium units are reported to last ten years, if I can keep and drive my car into the future my plan includes a vigorous weight reduction program with the 10 pound battery as a start. I think lighter wheels than stock would be helpful too in reducing un-sprung weight. Things are pretty bad though, it's just as likely I'll have to sell for a giant loss and give the Fiat to my brother who has better working legs.

[JFP in PA]

Thanks to the EPA, lithium based SLI batteries have a major downside: Recycling. Because lithium, unlike nickel metal hydride, is even more insidious than lead in the environment, SLI usage has to be tracked "cradle to grave". Only problem is that lithium also poisons lead recycling smelters, so they cannot be handled through the existing, and very limited, lead battery recycling networks. This problem has prevented the expansion of lithium usage in commercial batteries for nearly two decades, and will continue for the foreseeable future as no one is building new battery recycling facilities in North America due to their "environmental nightmare" problems. That alone will continue to stifle its growth and reduction in price for a long time to come.....

[eightsandaces]

Where they tossing the energizers or the Kodak Ultralife batteries?

Both made from the same lithium, granted it's less a problem than if all batteries were LiF but someone is processing them somewhere. Either that or they are at the ocean bottom or some third world country in a pile...

[JFP in PA]

Actually, small lithium batteries are a lot different than a flooded style SLI lithium unit; but if you read small lithium battery packaging, they state that, like compact fluorescent lights, they should not be discarded into residential trash, but "disposed of at appropriate recycling center"; only problem is finding one............

[ekam]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

The lithium units are reported to last ten years, if I can keep and drive my car into the future my plan includes a vigorous weight reduction program with the 10 pound battery as a start. I think lighter wheels than stock would be helpful too in reducing un-sprung weight. Things are pretty bad though, it's just as likely I'll have to sell for a giant loss and give the Fiat to my brother who has better working legs.

Lithium batteries suffer from reduced capacity in the cold especially below freezing point. Even the $2000 lithium battery available from Porsche is highly recommended for race use only.

http://www.****************************************************.com/product/LITHIUM.html?Category_Code=2010gt3_electronics

"The lightweight battery offers a very high standard of everyday driving qualities but its starting capacity is limited at temperatures below 32 degrees F or 0 degrees C, due to its specific features.

With its nominal capacity of 18 Ah, the lithium-ion battery offers a level of practical output and performance not only comparable to that of a 60 Ah lead battery, but better in many cases. As with all Porsche batteries, a genuine Porsche Battery Maintainer is recommended for vehicles which are stored for over two weeks."

[Topless]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

The lithium units are reported to last ten years, if I can keep and drive my car into the future my plan includes a vigorous weight reduction program with the 10 pound battery as a start. I think lighter wheels than stock would be helpful too in reducing un-sprung weight. Things are pretty bad though, it's just as likely I'll have to sell for a giant loss and give the Fiat to my brother who has better working legs.

You could also get a lightweight (16lb) AGM motorsport battery now from Odyssey or Braille for less than $200. Mine has been flawless for 18 months but I probably wouldn't depend on such a small batt through New York winters.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

2 inches is not a manufacturing tolerance, it is a different length cable............as also indicated by different part numbers……….

Some need a longer cable, some not. All the same part number, correct?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

Some need a longer cable, some not. All the same part number, correct?

No, depending upon the cable source, there seem to be multiple part numbers, some cover 97 to 03, then another number from 04 to 05, others list a separate 99 to 05, plus another for the Tip equipped cars, and so on. But even the same part number OEM cables seem to have been shortened somewhat, probably in a cost cutting move (copper is getting expensive)............. If we are replacing a factory cable, we pull and measure it, then order by length. If the car is being switched over to an Optima, and the factory cable is too short, again we measure it and then order up one with a couple extra inches of length. Most parts stores stock a ton of cables is various lengths.