I have been running red top optima batteries and it seems that the quality is not what it used to be. I need to replace 2 12 volt batteries and was wondering what folks were using and are happy with. looking for agm 12v, not concerned about size or weight really. just a good product.

ep-thanks

EP, I’m a strong believer that if you run a good alternator (HOP) you should only run one battery. Alternators are designed to keep one battery charged. I always ran two batteries until my first HOP alternator and have ran one since.
I’m also a fan of 16v systems, have run 16v for around 15 years with no issues.
BB just my opinion, not meant to start an argument

I was very pleased with the Optima Red top.

I do agree for sure with AGM on race car for safety sake. And I always run an alternator.

Are you sure you do not have another issues such as bad ground or something draining your power? When I did have a "Battery" problem it was a wiring issue. In fact until I had that issue I ran one of those wimpy Shogun alternators and it kept up fine. Trickle charger rest of the time. When I rewired the car I went to East Coast Electric mini alternator. It was time to rewire that car and it resolved the issues.
Since I have went to the 16 volt system but I would not hesitate to run another Red Top and may do it on my new car.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Curly1,

Ed, I've been running AC Delco 1000CA batteries in my door race cars for over 30 years without issue or failure. Replaced them every 4 years just because. Always ran an alternator.

quote:

Originally posted by BarneyB:
I’m also a fan of 16v systems, have run 16v for around 15 years with no issues.
BB just my opinion, not meant to start an argument

Barney, my gift to you, Merry Christmas





This might just crash this forum today.

quote:

Originally posted by 1320racer:

quote:

Originally posted by BarneyB:
I’m also a fan of 16v systems, have run 16v for around 15 years with no issues.
BB just my opinion, not meant to start an argument

Barney, my gift to you, Merry Christmas

quote:

Originally posted by pauley:
I have been running red top optima batteries and it seems that the quality is not what it used to be. I need to replace 2 12 volt batteries and was wondering what folks were using and are happy with. looking for agm 12v, not concerned about size or weight really. just a good product.

ep-thanks

Here is what I am running an have been VERY happy with them. I accidentally ran one down by leaving my dial board on a week or so. Re-charged as they said and never had another problem with it. It's 4-5 years old now. I will probably use it another 2-3 years then replace it with the same.

https://www.odysseybattery.com...me-series-batteries/

quote:

Originally posted by BarneyB:
EP, I’m a strong believer that if you run a good alternator (HOP) you should only run one battery. Alternators are designed to keep one battery charged. I always ran two batteries until my first HOP alternator and have ran one since.
I’m also a fan of 16v systems, have run 16v for around 15 years with no issues.
BB just my opinion, not meant to start an argument

What is your recommendation for a typical door bracket car? Alternator and Battery brand?

House of Payne 16v alternator and XS Power D1600 battery(s)

We went to dual 16 volts in both cars with alternators. A little pricey up front but we can race the truck all weekend long and NEVER needs a charge, Firebirds on gas so we run the fans more plus its got an electric pump and we still have no need to charge it at the track !!! We have volt gauges in both and they are nearly zero maintenance.

I have never ran an alternator and it has not been an issue. have always ran 2 batteries. I need to replace and was actually looking at the ac delco agm batteries. I was just curious what others were using and doing. thanks for the input

ep

Ed, I haven't use the AC Delco AGM but I know the COPOS come with 2 of them and I haven't heard of any issues.

If you want an AGM battery, I wouldn't hesitate to buy that battery.

https://www.summitracing.com/p...mEAQYASABEgL3MfD_BwE

https://www.summitracing.com/p...mEAQYEyABEgLMsPD_BwE

PAULEY go the ODYSSEY route American made not Saudi Arabia....they are high though..one of the big battery marts or plus sells them under another name considerable cheaper but I can’t remember which one

All I know for sure is that AC Delco batteries are not made in china.

Looks like the wet cell AC Delco batteries are now made in Saudi Arabia by a company owned by Johnson Controls but I can't find since when.

https://mebco.com/products/automotive-battery/

I have 3 GM cars all with AC Delco batteries. The batteries in my 2015 GMC truck are the same batteries it left the factory with and the batteries I just removed from my Firebird are 4 years old.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1320racer,

What amperage alternator is everyone using?

I have 2 red tops that are were installed on 12/16/2016. Both were originally in our 80 Camaro. When I built the 68 Camaro in 2019. I installed 1 in the 68. Now both cars race with only 1 battery, but they have 100 amp alternators on them. I keep battery maintainers on them when not in use. I will probably get another year or two out of them.

I used my last pair for 6 years & gave them to my buddy. He used them for misc. stuff around his place for another 2-3 years before they died.

I have an 8yr old Odyssey PC1500DT battery and never charge it using a 125a alternator. Sits attached in the race car all winter (4 months, some below freezing) and in spring it’ll read 12.5 volts. Odyssey lists 12.65v or better for full charge. My spare battery is under the hood of my tow vehicle that gets replaced every 6 yrs.

If I were using 16v batteries, I would opt for dual. This way in the event one went bad, you could disconnect and continue with one 16v battery. The last race I attended someone was looking for a 16v battery when 12v were everywhere.

I swapped to 16 volt on the Firebird because I'm going to 16v on the dragster, using the same XS Power D1600. With dual batteries on the bird, I'll always have a spare if the dragster battery takes a dump but with a 16v alternator on both cars, that shouldn't happen anytime soon.

I have two AMG Duracell batteries been rock solid but will probably upgrade when the time comes. I also keep my car on a maintainer 24/7. Race car and both RV batteries. From what I understand on batteries not much better for them than to keep them on a low current maintainer to reduce amount of discharge. Batteries came with car. I added a 150amp alternator. I would like to go to 16v when I switch these out. I can definitely hear the cars that use them (16v) when they crank over. Noticable difference for sure.

quote:

Originally posted by BG7X77:

quote:

Originally posted by BarneyB:
EP, I’m a strong believer that if you run a good alternator (HOP) you should only run one battery. Alternators are designed to keep one battery charged. I always ran two batteries until my first HOP alternator and have ran one since.
I’m also a fan of 16v systems, have run 16v for around 15 years with no issues.
BB just my opinion, not meant to start an argument

What is your recommendation for a typical door bracket car? Alternator and Battery brand?

I’ve always ran turbostart batteries and had great luck with them, I do not run them until there junk I always replaced them every 3 to 4 years. I also run a House of Payne 16v alternator for many years and never had an issue. I have had customers that run the XS 16v batteries and never heard of any issues.