Alternative to Optima
 

I'm not too happy right now. My 3.5 year old Red Top that mainly sat disconnected from the car is no good. I'm having a real hard time justifying spending $200 again on another one considering it didn't last any longer than a normal AutoZone battery. Hell, AutoZone will prorate their stuff after 3 years even but not Optima. So what are my options if any? The battery sits in the trunk. I don't have it in a box with a vent so I believe that means I have to use an AGM battery versus a liquid battery, correct?

Thanks

Sorry for the bitch fest but $200 is a lot of money to me and I expect more for the premium price they ask.

Have you tried reconditioning it with the chargers made for that purpose? I have saved several that way that I thought were dead. Regular chargers don't bring them back. I have a Ctek like this one, but they make less expensive models.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...9L._SX385_.jpg

I used my Battery Tender Jr all through the night last night. It's a slow charge charger/tender. It showed fully charged this morning as did the gauge on the dash. Hit the starter and it doesn't have the power to start. Look at the gauge and it's down a full volt immediately after trying to start. There's also a small amount of acid that seeped/leaked out of the battery.

What's the difference between a Ctek unit and a regular charger?

Thanks

It may be that the battery is shot, but this is how the Ctek does it. A regular charger can cook these batteries. I've had Optima batteries that would not hold a charge that worked fine after being on the Ctek charger; of course your results may be different.

http://smartercharger.com/

Thanks for the info, Jody.

If I do decide to get another battery, do you know if I have to use an AGM battery since the battery is technically in the passenger compartment? I've always been told the normal liquid acid batteries have to be in a sealed box that's vented to the outside if they are in the trunk. Something about vapors while being charged by the alternator.

I went with an Odyssey Extreme AGM. Then theres no liquid acid getting flung around , its sealed , its got a steel jacket built around it from the factory and no hydrogen in the trunk/ passenger compartment.

I put my battery in the trunk last year, then got rear ended a few months later and that was the first thing that came to my mind when I finally got the trunk opened.
http://shop.odysseybattery.com/p/pc1200mjt-a?pp=12

I bought a CTEK charger also. Batteries are heavy little suckers

honestly get a good 51r battery for under $100. If it goes bad it should be under warranty everytime

I think I'm going to give the Ctek a try. The way I figure it is that I'll need a tender anyway and this unit will also do that as well as charge and maybe recondition the battery. If it turns out the battery is indeed bad, oh well. I will need a tender anyway. The Battery Tender Jr I was using is an extra one so maybe I can sell it and recover some of my money. I'm getting the Ctek off Amazon for $90 shipped. Got my fingers crossed that it'll work.

That's a good idea. If it works you save money, and if not you'll love the charger anyway. Good luck!

Wire an SAE pigtail to the Monster and use the Battery Tender to float charge it............from what I've observed on the Ducati forum they tend to need it. :thumbsup: