battery being drained

I called around to some local auto parts places looking for h/o alternators and Optima batteries.. most places I've found don't keep Optima's in stock, and "won't know the price until I order it", and the only place I could find that had h/o alternators in stock wanted 315.00$ for it. So I kept that in mind and called a battery only shop, he told me that he does have Optima's but if I bought an Odyssey (don't remember what model or w/e) I wouldn't need an h/o alternator at all, the battery would suffice "as it is used in army tanks".

hit Post by accident.. Anyways.. I was wondering what you guys thought of this? Should I pickup an Odyssey (keep in mind he quoted me 300ish$ for the battery too, which honestly I don't mind paying if it really works reliably as they say) , and do I ditch the cap while I'm at it? I've got the cables for the big three that's gona get done asap (yes, I know.. I should have done this along time ago lol.. I'm probably the worst procrastinator there is, was, or ever will be) Should I pop in an h/o alternator while I'm at it in case of future upgrades? (ie. more amps)

Tell him to put your alternator in that tank with the O-battery. If it lasts the day, then he's right. Otherwise ask what size alternator the tank has. If it's bigger than yours, the you obviously need to buy that tank charger as well. (I'm kidding, but based on what you said, dikheds like that pss me off.) I take it that no-one has tested your battery? Noone has checked what your drain is? (So when your $300 battery karks it, you go and buy another because warranty will NOT cover it. I don't suppose per chance it was a salesperson trying to sell you a battery?) As to the big-O batteries, though I was keen on one, I recently changed my mind (if cranking is involved). The other I have long had doubts about and one of their marketeers did little to improve that (read: he "confirmed the bullsh"). Search herein to see what others say... Kinetik came up a few times. But eliminate drain and charge problems before you wreck any new battery.

If your battery died or drained  you must check to see why. If the battery is not that old there has to be a reason as it sounds like it might be sulphated which means somehow it is getting undercharged. I would get a ctek charger and try to bring back the battery you already have and keep the charger for when you do replace the battery and have the electrical checked. It is always a good idea to check the resting voltages of you batteries and if you notice the voltage resting a couple tenths lower charge it.Ack!

Thanks audio for the backup. The number of times people replace alternators (& regulators), check & redo their distribution etc only to find it was their (3 month old new $350 Optima) battery that had failed, or replace their (cranking!) battery with a $350 Optima only to have it go flat too because of some drain issue.... Both situations can be avoided with a $10 DMM. But some love trial and error - it's the fun of finding your own solution.