Topic: Anyone try buying an Optima 25 lately?

[Critterman]

Spent all morning trying to find one in the local area.  No one carries it anymore, some places will special order it, but my mind was made up.  Bix didn't start this am after sitting for only 4 days.  Dashhawk was showing 4 volts.  Dashhawk is also what is draining the battery, but it used to take 7-10 days.  Hooked a charger to it and after 5 minutes it still wouldn't start.  Battery's fate was sealed.

Now this battery is over 4 years old so it has done it's job.  Spent all morning either on the phone or internet trying to find the Optima in stock.  No joy, I finally got a Bosch 86-630b with a 96 month warrantee.  3 years no question and the rest is prorated. 

Since there is no one in the area for me to supervise, guess I will have to replace it myself, unless hey Joe, what are you doing tonight?   

[Uranium-238]

C'mon critter, I swapped out the battery in my Sky in under an hour, and I'd never even looked into what was involved. Granted, wasn't as straightforward as most cars, but still a really simple process.

[Gentleman Jack]

Critter,

Don't forget how hard Jimmy and I worked on those damn fenders!  You better put them back perfect!

I am available this weekend if you like.  I would much rather get supervised by you and work on your car than go visit the inlaws and have to take a family photo....  can you even imagine me in Khaki's and a white button up shirt?  Redonculous.  I will be in Chicago, so not as far as I normally am from you. 

GJ

[snaponbob]

Tools - 7mm socket, 10 mm socket, ratchet, and a 6-8" extension. REMEMBER --- remove the negative terminal FIRST, and attach it LAST !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Critterman]

   I'm much better at supervising, as GJ.  In fact he is probably checking airfare now.  Don't worry guys,  it was a joke.  Joe will drive the hour for me 

[DeepBlueGXP]

By the way, I'm heading up to Germantown tonight after work.  A pit stop is possible!!!

[Critterman]

Swing by if you want, we can go and get a beer or something.  I should have it changed out by then.

[Sol Asylum]

Critter use jumper cables to temporarly attach the new battery to the car, get it running then disconnect the new batery drive to Joe's and have him change it.

GJ no mention of me in your plans?

[DeepBlueGXP]

Critter, getting off to a start for Germantown too late to stop buy. 

[Critterman]

That's okay, it was done by the time you left home.  I will say having VDI doors, custom fenders and a relocated fuel pump, doesn't help any.  29 minutes to put it back together (time on the clock when I reset it)  took about 10-15 to take it apart.

[TomatoSoup]

Too late now, but 'Goat swears by the Sears Platinum batteries... says they're better than Optima.

I have to do this this weekend if not sooner, I have done hours of research on the battery to get. Optima calls for a Red Top Group 25, I have a Red Top in my truck, it is an over priced piece of junk. Nothing but problems, I have read many reviews saying the same thing, Optimas are not what they used to be. The Yellow top is a deep cycle battery has less cold cranking amps but will hold a charge and recharge better. It seems to hold up better as well. The best battery I read about was the Odyssey 1230, 710 cold cranking amps and it is a deep cycle battery but it is $269! Turns out the Sears Platinum is the same battery, they have a Group 75 battery that should fit (we will soon see) it is $189, still pretty steep but 4 year 100% replacement or 100 months prorated.

[Critterman]

Yeah, and after I changed it out, sat down and read the paper, complete with a Sears add with them on sale.  Oh well, this one was half the price of an Optima.

[Gentleman Jack]

Critter use jumper cables to temporarly attach the new battery to the car, get it running then disconnect the new batery drive to Joe's and have him change it.

GJ no mention of me in your plans?

SA,

I don't want to mention it too often, others are bound to find out and try to drive down from the arctic circle.

GJ

[Sol Asylum]

Oh yeah good call