Which Battery Is the Best?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=13231
Printed Date: May 15, 2024 at 1:28 PM
Topic: Which Battery Is the Best?
Posted By: Sebastian018
Subject: Which Battery Is the Best?
Date Posted: May 06, 2003 at 11:21 AM
Hi, IM planning to get a new Battery for my car, Which of the folowwing or which one do you think is the best I could get. My alterrnator is 140Amp. My car is a mercedes 190e and Im running like 1000RMS Watts.
Yellow Optima
BLUE TOP
Red optima
which one?
thank you
Replies:
Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: May 06, 2003 at 4:07 PM
how about none of the above...
Optima has gone really downhill since they were bought out a few years back...the only good thing about them these days is the name...
if you want the best batteries money can currently buy, look at Stinger batteries, or if those are too expensive, look at Hawker Odyssey batteries...Hawker builds Stingers batteries for them...the only difference is the cosmetics between the Stinger and Hawker batteries...great ESR as well on these batteries...
forget Optima...do yourself a favor, buy Hawkers...
Posted By: Sebastian018
Date Posted: May 06, 2003 at 8:09 PM
ok, I will look for Hawkers to see what i get.
thank you
Posted By: alienated
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 1:36 AM
i just got a yellow top. $145 w/tax from interstate.
Posted By: wvsquirrel
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 1:58 AM
Which is better between the Yellow, Red, or Blue top? I've used Red Tops in the past, but not the others. Just curious... ------------- Squirrel
"No more Cpt. Kirk chit chat"
If its too loud, then you're too old
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Posted By: greenbroncoguy
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 5:08 AM
yellow top = lots of draw with the motor not running, low starting amps(660cca) red top = lots of starting amps with moderate continuous draw (850cca) blue top = marine battery = small current draw for long period of time, while maintaing low starting current(440cca)
Posted By: KBToys
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 6:59 AM
Another battery to throw in the mix, is Exide orbital battery's. Same idea as Optima but better technology and usally cheaper than an Optima.
Posted By: dohcser
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 7:10 AM
OK, I understand that this question has been beaten too many times, but I still need a few questions answered.
Many people are saying to go with the Odyssey, which I have no problem, but if you look at the ratings on the batteries it is a bit confusing why they would say this. I need a "POWER PRO" to clear this up:
Starting Batteries:
Odyssey PC925($100): HCA-925amps, CCA-380amps, RC-50min
Optima 34 aka 800S($135): HCA-980amps, CCA-750amps, RC-104min
I understand that there is a $35 difference, but look at all the extra current and reserve capacity.
Auxuliary Battery:
Odyssey PC1700($225): HCA-1700amps, CCA-875amps, RC-142min
Optima D31A($195): HCA-1125amps, CCA-900, RC-155min
Exide or Lightning Audio($200): HCA-950, CCA-750, RC-95min
Once again it seems as if Optima has the better battery.
By no means am I a pro when it comes to battery specs, however I would like someone to clear this up for me. It seems as if Optima has the better bang for the buck?
Posted By: Sebastian018
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 8:14 AM
!!Whoa!!! THank you for your help...
Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 9:50 AM
the Hawkers are better batteries...I doubt the Optimas will still live up to their old claims...they were great in the past, but when Interstate bought them out, they went down hill and havent yet found bottom...their quality has suffered alot in the past few years...
one other thing you may want to look at for audio, but you havent listed, is ESR...the Hawkers have the lowest ESR of all the batteries you listed there...
Posted By: Sebastian018
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 1:43 PM
Could anyone explain what CCA and CA and RC means, Im looking for a New main Battery for my car and I have a lot of options. I want to get something good. and How many CCA , CA, RC WOuold be good ....
Im running like 1000RMS, Two TV, DVD player, Neon Light, Interior Lights, Graphics Equalizer.and my car is a mercedes 190e
thank you
Posted By: IronCy
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 7:27 PM
CCA=Cold Crank Amps CA=Cranking Amps RC=Reserve Capacity Red Tops are the only Optima battery approved for "under the hood use" Using any other type under the hood will void your warranty---although most stereo shops still install yellows under the hood. Our shop has had better luck using the red tops under the hood and as extra batteries for audio purposes. Seem to have a lot less Reds then Yellows comming back defective/dead. If you looking for reserve batteries--for your audio system, check out SVR, they make batteries that are half the size of a normal battery, but with the same amount of power. -Cy
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 7:37 PM
Here are some reviews done by Carsound https://www.carsound.com/reviews.shtml scroll down to power products
Posted By: Sebastian018
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 8:05 PM
WHoa, Now Im really confused, I donr know what to get
Either Yellow Top or Red Optima
or Hawker Odyssey
WHICH ONE????????????????????????
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: May 07, 2003 at 8:30 PM
I prefer the YELLOW TOP myself for a good deep cycle battery.
-------------
Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: MilleniaMan
Date Posted: May 08, 2003 at 7:55 AM
Upgrading your battery will only help out from it dying on you when the car is off and playing music. If you want to stop your lights from dimming and in some cases your amps cutting out you have to upgrade your alternator. Especially if you are drawing 1000watts RMS. Trust me on this. Save your money and go upgrade your alternator for one that has 150amps charging capacity.
Posted By: dohcser
Date Posted: May 08, 2003 at 8:20 AM
bberman1 wrote:
Here are some reviews done by Carsound https://www.carsound.com/reviews.shtml scroll down to power products
Unfortunately those are old issues!
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: May 08, 2003 at 9:30 AM
They may be old reviews, but most of the batteries are still being sold and some of them were mentioned in the posts above (Hawker/Stinger Optima)
Posted By: Sebastian018
Date Posted: May 08, 2003 at 10:16 AM
Im Upgrading My alternator to 150Amp and when I get i want to upgrade also the battery. thats why I was asking for batteries, because the one I have now Is old.
Im getting a New High Output alternatopr and A New Battery.
I think Im going to buy the YELLOW TOP.
thank you
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: May 08, 2003 at 10:41 AM
Sounds good
Posted By: greenbroncoguy
Date Posted: May 08, 2003 at 2:46 PM
great choice
Posted By: Big Purds
Date Posted: May 08, 2003 at 3:22 PM
I still say you will be further ahead with the Hawker...look at ESR on the batteries...
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