quote:

Originally posted by reddog:
I've never seen an optima leak. It's a Gel Cell and it's not sealed.

In Arizona it's a waste of money to buy anything other than an Optima.

As for coating, I'd use POR-15. It will stand up to just about anything. However anything you use will wear through under the batteries due to the vibration. I don't think it's possible to clamp them down tight enough to keep them from wearing through the coating.

Has anyone tried acid on it though? I dont really like my optima and I sure as hell will not get another, its starting to slow down after a year. Next time around I will get a deep cycle from wall mart, even if I have to replace it 5 times in a year I will still be for fiancially ahead than another $200 optima that only lasts a year.

The optima has a 2 year full replacement warranty and a 7 year pro-rated. If you're having problems with it, swap it out.

The only time I've had any problems with an Optima is one that gets neglected (left connected to a car until it is dead and left that way for an extended period of time).

I had an optima last 6 years here in AZ. That's unheard of for anything else. Personally I'd rather pay $200 to have it last 6 years than get stranded every year.

I have already read reports of several people having POR-15 getting eaten due to acid. Granted some of these people might not have applied it correctly, but a couple I know were very meticulous about the application.

The batteries I am replacing are for the secondary electrical system and are not required to get the engine started; besides a manual does wonders for a dead battery. Also, I need something that can handle a steady discharge. The overland guys seem to prefer lifeline batteries to optima’s, but even more $$$$. I will probably be better off with some Wal-Mart’s that have a several year warranty. My primary battery is already in very good condition. Regardless anywhere that is as humid as here with a battery around in an enclosed space has the probability of becoming corroded.

I'd just paint it with some rattle can paint and then put down a rubber mat between the batteries and the battery box floor.

quote:

I'd just paint it with some rattle can paint and then put down a rubber mat between the batteries and the battery box floor.

x2 I would not waste a bunch of money on paint.

Ahem. Fiberglass. Ahem.

quote:

Originally posted by reddog:
I've never seen an optima leak. It's a Gel Cell and it's not sealed.

In Arizona it's a waste of money to buy anything other than an Optima.

As for coating, I'd use POR-15. It will stand up to just about anything. However anything you use will wear through under the batteries due to the vibration. I don't think it's possible to clamp them down tight enough to keep them from wearing through the coating.

I went through optima after optima after optima. The nissan had it, I killed 3 of them in about 4 years. I had a few exide orbitals in the '57, killed all of them. I bought cheap as hell wal-mart batteries, lasted for years. I'll be damned if I buy another optima or orbital.

Your Optima warranty info is off, too.

Put a piece of rubber under the battery, it'll stop movement and wearing of the paint.

quote:

Originally posted by datz510:
I'd just paint it with some rattle can paint and then put down a rubber mat between the batteries and the battery box floor.

I love those 2' x 2' interlocking floor mats for padding. A urethane sealant might grab onto the ?neoprene? padding so that a "box" of the stuff could surround on the sides/bottom of the battery. Duct tape around the outside, of course, to hold form while it sets.