[Vwdiesel] Speaking of Batteries

[William J Toensing]

If you have a vehicle that sits around a lot, use one of these battery tenders & a top of the line battery. I have not had a good experience with one Optima Battery I have as I couldn't charge it with a regular battery charger or a battery tender float charger. I have stayed away from the Optima as they cost well over $100 at Costco & Sam's Club, double the price of an ordinary battery. In my motor home I got 12 years out of two lead acid 12 V industrial type batteries using a battery tender to keep the batteries at their full float charge. Maybe I have bad luck with one bad Optima battery & I have never bought one new. Would like to hear from the rest of you on how well Optima batteries have served you, how long they last, etc.
It would be nice if all of you would say what part of the world you live in. I know Will lives in Alaska. Some of the problems & solutions are climate related. 
Bill Toensing, Nevada City, CA