[Vwdiesel] Battery Source

[Roger Brown]

LBaird119 at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 12/30/2006 6:25:05 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
> stephensrw at stn.net writes:
> 
>> As far as gel cell batteries,  I would NEVER put one in a vehicle as the 
>> starter battery.
> 
>   I beleive the Optima is a AGM battery rather than 
> a gel cell.  The red top offers more rapid release of the 
> electrons than a lead acid battery, however they do it, 
> for more CCA.  Local place said they never had one test out 
> below something like 1000 or 1100.  They hold up better on a 
> vibrating, diesel tractor unless the charging system isn't working
> (a Baird Bros orchard standard it seems).  Then they'll fail quickly 
> if run down and charged back up regularly.  Don't remember how 
> well they did for them when not abused.
>     Loren

Yes, the Optima is a spiral wound AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery.  The red tops are usually the 
lowest cost and are designed for starting use.  The yellow tops are deep cycle and the blue tops 
are the marine versions (combines deep cycle and starting features).  I got about 8-9 years out of 
my old red top, bought it in '97, lived in my 4Runner for a few years then moved it to my '81 Caddy 
where it ran fine until 2000 when the vehicle was totaled then moved it to my new '82 Caddy where 
it lasted until this year.  I had a solar charger on it but I think with the shorter fall days, the 
battery discharged too far and that did it in.  Will charge back up but won't last very long.

Then there are the square AGM batteries like the Odyssey or the old Black Panthers that I now run:
	http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/BlackPanther.shtml
These batteries have both deep cycle and starting chemistry so can survive deep discharges and 
rapid recharges.  I have 8+ years on the pair of batteries in my Toyota and they are showing no 
signs of aging.  Being totally sealed and where I have them mounted (under the truck), I have not 
touched or even seen them since they were installed.  That is what I call zero maintenance!  These 
type of batteries are supposedly have a design lifetime of 12 years.
	
-- 
    Roger