I have used Interstate and some I bought at Autozone. Those I bought at Autozone I have used in temperatures at -40 or so and never had a problem starting. I don't see the advantage of paying that much more for a battery when something less expensive does the job just as well. I make sure to get the highest cranking amps I can find. I have also used batteries from Batteries Plus and never had a problem. I see no need to pay $200 for a battery when I can spend less than $100 and get something just as good. I think I paid about $54 for those I bought at Autozone. That was a few years ago.

 

That right there is the TRUE benefit of a deep cycle battery, such as an Optima, over a traditional battery. They are more forgiving when they are deeply discharged, as they are designed to do so. Anyone running inverters for long periods of time with the engine turned off is deeply discharging their battery, whether they know it or not. Do this for too long with a conventional battery, and it will prematurely wear out.

 

I currently have cat batteries, I forget the model, I think they are 850 CCA and are both "quick discharge" and "deep cycle". I've talked to a few guys, and they say they can last up to 8 years! They're cheap too. Very vibration resistant.

The problem is, sometimes 850 CCA isn't enough up here. So what do you do? get 1000 CCA batteries that wont last? Or 850 CCA batteries that will last, but you have to be more careful with them.

 

I have 4 of those yellow tops. I ran them down by mistake once already when I fell asleep with TV, DVD and laptop going. I had to get the truck jumped in the morning. Since then it's been -8 here and it starts like a champ. I really don't have any other scenario to compare this too but I killed them and they came back to life!

 

I'm surprised your truck (or your inverter) doesn't have a low voltage cutoff. I thought those were standard nowadays.

 

Yes, it does have a cutoff and the alarm was going when I woke up. The TV was still on but it didn't have enough juice to turn over the engine.

I just spent over an hour putting on just one of those crossfires!!!!!!! What a pain trying to get my hand in there with a wrench to tighten down the valve stem!!! I used one of the bolts on the hub to mount it but don't like it there. I want to use the other bracket and attach it to the lug nut but I'm going to have to go to a garage to get those off.

Another question. My sister is moving to Florida in June or July. Am I allowed to rent a van and pull her stuff down there?

 

Another question. My sister is moving to Florida in June or July. Am I allowed to rent a van and pull her stuff down there?


We need to see a picture of her first, to give a proper answer!!!! :lol:

Be good, Jim

 

Could you look it up for me, please?

 

Sure, I'm going to work on the truck right away, I'll get back to you later today.