Quote:
Originally Posted by MattJB
Yes, LT, you are right on the money regarding deep cycle design of the original Optima. Although it appears the red top design would work as an SLI (starting, lights, ignition) battery, the yellow-top design is more of the deep cycle design you mentioned. And, no, I don't have a plasma screen in my HL. Honest.  Here's the Optima URL for interested readers: Truck & SUV: Find Your Optima
After more research here's the AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery I'll end up with... The DieHard Platinum series. Expensive? Yep. Warranty? A 4-year free replacement/100-month prorated limited warranty. Yep, that's better than all the rest. The DieHard Platinum is a compressed, flat plate design, unlike the spiral design of the Optima. Reviewers in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and other warmer climes love the Platinum because with their heat the warranty can't be beat, and owners of big-block collector cars rave about them because of the 135 minutes of reserve capacity and 880 CCA measured at zero degrees F. Hey, that might not be all that bad for starting and thawing my HL at sub-zero temperatures either. So I went to the store with my handy meter. It tested at 12.89 volts at the store. Oh, and that consumer group we hear so much about just gave it a 91/100 rating - their highest of any battery they tested. Here's the URL:
Buy Craftsman Tools | Fitness Equipment | Kenmore Home Appliances | Lawn & Garden Equipment | Sears.com - Where It All Begins
Type "DieHard Platinum" on the search line and happy reading to you.
Hmmmm. Just maybe.... I think I've found my next battery. Now I just have to wait until my '01 OEM battery is laid to rest.
MattJB |
Just found this.
Die Hard Platinum problems: - FSC Forum
Food for thought Regarding the
Diehard Platinum.
I
never buy any
universal type battery that employs BOTH top mounts AND side mounts in ONE package. Many problems. The universal design is a way to make a
one size fits all battery cheaply. This Diehard Platinum is very expensive too at $189.
If my car has top mounts, then I want top mounts ONLY on my battery.
I don't need or want side mounts there too. They are
a liability waiting to happen. The same holds true if yu have a OE side mount batt. and now yu have a new batt. with two additinal top mounts posts when yu don't need them there.
Also, I never buy a battery thats older than 3-4 months sitting on the shelf. Check the date code. I always check the voltage before I buy. Some older stock gets dishcharged far below 12.5-12.8. I don't want this from a new battery. This will be a problem battery down the road or not last as long as it should. Always buy from fresh stock... a place that sells alot of batteries in your Group size. Most TOYS I believe are Group 35 (Top Mount) + on left side.
AGM batts like the
Optima's Red Top($141), dollar for dollar don't have the higher CCA's that standard
LA batts have by design.
BTW, The Diehard Plat. and Optima Red top are not as similar.
I like my
Interstate batts...
LT
