Topic Sponsor
2004 - 2008 Ford F150 General discussion on the 2004 - 2008 Ford F150 truck.
View Poll Results: Which Battery?
Motorcraft
6
19.35%
Interstate
11
35.48%
Optima Deep Cycle
14
45.16%
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll

Need new battery

Old 12-29-2011, 09:05 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Bizkitjmd1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 126
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts

Default Need new battery

So I need to buy a new battery for my FX4; here are my choices, which would you guys choose? I have the factory subwoofer and also some first responder lighting and radios. The aftermarket equipment turns off 2 hours after the truck does.

Motorcraft, Interstate, Optima Deep Cycle
Old 12-29-2011, 09:52 PM
  #2  
Blown Mafia
iTrader: (4)
 
scobar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,366
Received 105 Likes on 99 Posts

Default

Interstate. The optimas don't do well in cold weather. Get the biggest one you can fit under the hood.
Old 12-29-2011, 10:04 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
SchuLace's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

I believe you need a special charger to charge an Optima.
Old 12-29-2011, 10:09 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
otto457's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,683
Received 165 Likes on 69 Posts

Default

I voted Motorcraft with the caveat that you simply add a kill switch to all the aftermarket stuff so you can turn it off when the truck is off. Interstate are suppose to be good, but my last two Interstates lasted less than two years so I'm kind of soured on them. Since Optima's changed hands a few years back I've heard the quality is lacking.
Old 12-29-2011, 10:44 PM
  #5  
Blown Mafia
iTrader: (4)
 
scobar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,366
Received 105 Likes on 99 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by SchuLace
I believe you need a special charger to charge an Optima.
No, a stock alternator is fine. They have a spiral cell technology and rather than a lead/acid use a gel. They are great unless they get cold, then they can have issues.
Old 12-30-2011, 12:02 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
zmadams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Troy, Hoover, and Cullman Alabama
Posts: 642
Received 35 Likes on 32 Posts

Default

Wow Are you kidding me...... Wish I would have seen this thread 3 days ago. I just bought a brand new optima yellow top for my truck. But so y'all say they don't do good in cold? What do y'all define as 'cold'? I live in Alabama and it gets down to the 20 maybe 2 weeks out of the year. Will my battery be ok with that?
Old 12-30-2011, 12:09 AM
  #7  
Member
 
chucktruck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: oklahoma
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have an optima in my boat. I've had it for almost 3 years and it hasn't let me down yet. That's saying a lot since it sits in my garage all winter and I only charge it once a month.
Old 12-30-2011, 05:16 AM
  #8  
Blown Mafia
iTrader: (4)
 
scobar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,366
Received 105 Likes on 99 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by zmadams
Wow Are you kidding me...... Wish I would have seen this thread 3 days ago. I just bought a brand new optima yellow top for my truck. But so y'all say they don't do good in cold? What do y'all define as 'cold'? I live in Alabama and it gets down to the 20 maybe 2 weeks out of the year. Will my battery be ok with that?
Let me rephrase, they don't like Minnesota winters.
Old 12-30-2011, 06:01 AM
  #9  
"Lifted"
iTrader: (2)
 
KingRanch4Life's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Georgia
Posts: 10,335
Received 223 Likes on 200 Posts

Default

I've had Optima yellow tops in two vehicles and never had an issue with them or cold weather.. They are top quality in my opinion..

Georgia cold..
Old 12-30-2011, 06:07 AM
  #10  
Former Powerstroker
 
dereku's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Tyndall AFB
Posts: 1,465
Received 49 Likes on 47 Posts
Default

Optimas dont like cold. I had them in my 7.3 and added 2 battery heaters to keep em starting strong.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Need new battery



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:17 AM.