Battery is leaking

[TObject]

I am on third Mopar Battery, and it is leaking. I don’t know if I should just replace the battery, or address this battery thing once and for all. How much trouble is it to put two batteries in a 99 TJ with air?

[mrblaine]

When is the last time that you ran down your battery?

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[TObject]

I haven’t ever run down my jeep battery, and I am not sure that I ever will, as long as I stay out of very cold places. I want the second battery for backup. I don’t want it badly, especially if it’s a pain to find a place for the second battery in my jeep.

[sethmark]

I'm with Blaine on this one.. Dual batteries are for LONG winch days in the Mud and 1000 watt stereos.

I've left my Optima on for 10 hours with the radio on and it didn't even turn over slow.

Tightey Whitey World

[TObject]

Maybe I am overreacting and this sort of thing happens only once in a lifetime. But on one trip one of the jeeps in the group had its battery explode. Nobody in the group had a two-battery setup to share the spare, and we had to tow the jeep all the way back.

[sethmark]

I've never heard of that happening before... Bet that was a mess to clean up!!

As for them not sharing... That sucks.

Tightey Whitey World

[TObject]

That was one hell of an explosion: the guy still has dents on his hood from the caps flying up, the case itself cracked too. Nobody shared a spare because there were no spares; this is my only point for getting a two-battery setup – to have a spare.

[Ace!]

I would agree with not having two batteries, unless of course you're buying two cr*ppy ones I think if you buy one solid battery you'll be fine.

If you're concerned about carrying a second my suggestion would be to buy one with a long shelf life. I'd put one in the Jeep (not having to worry about how to fit the second in the engine compartment), and carry the other in the Jeep on days when you're going wheeling like a set of tools. You can leave it at home Monday through Friday. I can see why you'd want to carry a spare, but I don't think it'll do much good under the hood.

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom

[mrblaine]

Lets play the law of averages for a bit and cosider the likelyhood of lightning striking twice in the same place.

I have only seen one trackbar bracket rip off of the frame.

I have only seen one knuckle explode.

I have only seen one TPS fail on the trail.

I have only seen one CPS fail on the trail.

I have only seen one pressure switch fail on the trail.

I have only seen one battery die and that was due to the positive cable being pinched between the body and frame.

I don't carry any of those items as spares.

I have seen multiples of flats, bent tie-rods, broken axles, and failed winches.

For those reasons I carry Co2 and plugs, a spare tire, upgraded tie rod, spare axles, and run a Warn winch. Never seen one fail, unlike Ramsey.

I winched several people up Toboggan in LCIR using the stock battery and never had a problem. Not to say that it can't happen, the odds are just in your favor that it won't.

I understand the sensitivity to the situation. I was the one that towed the CJ-5 back to camp from near bobsled at LCIR. You know the area and can surmise the difficulty in doing that. I do recognize that there were extenuating circumstances and I did not immediately go and buy a new battery. I did however check my cables to see if they were being chafed anywhere.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[TObject]

Actually the probability of lightning striking twice in the same place is much higher than people tend to think. But I think you are correct. No two-battery setup for me.

Battery is not number one on my list, but if you run across a special deal on good gel-cell batteries, keep me in mind, I will probably want one.

[sethmark]

If you go to 4wheel parts, tell them you saw the Red top optima on sale for $90 at Off Road Warehouse.

They'll drop their price!

Tightey Whitey World

[TObject]

I’d prefer anything but Optima. I am tired of all the comments I hear that “Optima is the best”, where I know that Optima is not the best.

[sethmark]

Best? You've been spending too much time on the internet!!!

But it works. Its sealed. And their warranty policy is bitchin'. I like companies that promise to take care of me if it fails. EVER.

Tightey Whitey World

[mrblaine]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Seth:
Best? You've been spending too much time on the internet!!!

But it works. Its sealed. And their warranty policy is bitchin'. I like companies that promise to take care of me if it fails. EVER.

Tightey Whitey World[/quote]


Just don't tell them that you used a red top for winching. They don't like to warranty them when you actually place a load on them.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[Robert J. Yates]

Sergy,
I am with Blaine and Seth on this one, you don't need a dual set-up. I have an Optima YellowTop and its never given me a problem in the 1.5 years its been on my Jeep. I know Blaine has a better battery but he also had to fab a tray and squeeze the thing in there, the Optima will drop right in. Also, as mentioned, the warranty on the Optima is very good and dealers are plentiful. Stay away from the RedTop though, its not rated for winch duty.

98 TJ Sport
D44ARB/D30Detroit/Teralow/Swampers
www.geocities.com/yatezess/

[mrblaine]

Be fair Robert, I only squeezed in the 1700 cca version. The 1200 amp version is actually smaller than the stocker. 1200 is nearly double of the factory version.

I just wanted to show off.

I can if needed or desired, stuff into the stock location, two of the 950's for a total of 1900 amps worth, and redundancy to boot. Not my favorite way to do it, but not that hard either.

My personal favorite will be to stick the 3500cca Group 31 in the stock location. Now that's some serious capacity. I am going to run two of those in the amubulances for a grand total of 7000 amps. Please don't short circuit those out.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[sethmark]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mrblaine:

Just don't tell them that you used a red top for winching. They don't like to warranty them when you actually place a load on them.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.[/quote]

Exactly right. But... I still haven't had it fail.

Tightey Whitey World

[Robert J. Yates]

Relax Blaine, I was just tossing you some props for going out of your way As for why you didn't put in the 2 smaller ones, why not? Seems to me that solves a few issues if it actually fits.

98 TJ Sport
D44ARB/D30Detroit/Teralow/Swampers
www.geocities.com/yatezess/

[Ace!]

I was thinking of it myself, the 1200A is close to 7.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 (a little more, but close). The 925A is even smaller. I may ask Blaine one of these days how he got that "custom" battery holder in there, otherwise I'll just stick a couple 925s or 1200s in if a single battery won't suffice (I can't image a single 1200A not meeting my needs though).

I'm really glad I stumbled onto the Odyssey battery. I haven't had a failure, but a lot of people do in the winter up here, and there are a LOT of Optima and Odyssey fans around the Pacific Northwest, because they last better than the traditional "wet" battery.

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom

[William]

Catapillar battery.

R/
William Karstens

[Sephiroth]

Thats what you get for ****ing with the pimp

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TObject:
Maybe I am overreacting and this sort of thing happens only once in a lifetime. But on one trip one of the jeeps in the group had its battery explode. Nobody in the group had a two-battery setup to share the spare, and we had to tow the jeep all the way back.[/quote]

01 Sport, Auto, Silverstone , D44 with Trac-Lok and 3.73:1 ,Harry B Sux, Tera S3T 3" Lift, Currie steering box brace, Currie steering damper, Bilstein Shocks, GY MTR 33x1250-15 on rockcrawler Rims, Sun Performance rocker skids.

[Scott Hill]

I was going to get the Excide Orbital. it is the yellow top optima with extra set of terminals.

plus costs only 100$ but I got a good deal on my yellow top and am happy.

by the way Excide bought Optima about a year ago or so jsu before the release of the orbital.

a little TJ with a few mods check her out at www.real-jeeps.com

[William]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Don Palese:
Thats what you get for ****ing with the pimp
[/quote]


I think it's time for A PBQ. Don, TO may not get you, but even if he does.. I'm coming for you!

R/
William Karstens

[William]

http://jeepbbs.atinfopop.com/4/OpenT...5&m=3114063331

R/
William Karstens

[mrblaine]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Seth:

Originally posted by mrblaine:

Just don't tell them that you used a red top for winching. They don't like to warranty them when you actually place a load on them.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

Exactly right. But... I still haven't had it fail.

Tightey Whitey World[/QUOTE]

What does a battery do? It delivers current to power electical appliances. It responds to an electrical load placed upon it. I disagree with a company that won't warranty a device, that for all intents and purposes, should be able to handle a task. If it can't handle it, it should be pulled from the market.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[mrblaine]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ace!:
I was thinking of it myself, the 1200A is close to 7.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 (a little more, but close). The 925A is even smaller. I may ask Blaine one of these days how he got that "custom" battery holder in there, otherwise I'll just stick a couple 925s or 1200s in if a single battery won't suffice (I can't image a single 1200A not meeting my needs though).

I'm really glad I stumbled onto the Odyssey battery. I haven't had a failure, but a lot of people do in the winter up here, and there are a LOT of Optima and Odyssey fans around the Pacific Northwest, because they last better than the traditional "wet" battery.

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom[/quote]

It is really nothing remotely special. The stock tray has reinforcing ribs stamped into it in order to create strength for a very light weight. Unfortunately this makes it about 3/4" tall, and in order to get a 1700 in it has to be 1/4" or less. Simple solution is to cut a piece of 3/16" aluminum to replace the stock tray.

It is not who you know, It is who knows you
Jeeps do not make jeepers, jeepers make Jeeps.

[Ace!]

Very cool, thanks.

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom

[DC]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mrblaine:
Be fair Robert, I only squeezed in the 1700 cca version. The 1200 amp version is actually smaller than the stocker. 1200 is nearly double of the factory version.

I j ust wanted to show off.

I can if needed or desired, stuff into the stock location, two of the 950's for a total of 1900 amps worth, and redundancy to boot. Not my favorite way to do it, but not that hard either.

My personal favorite will be to stick the 3500cca Group 31 in the stock location. Now that's some serious capacity. I am going to run two of those in the amubulances for a grand total of 7000 amps. Please don't short circuit those out.
[/quote]

Blaine ... I am curious ... how hard overall would it be to "slip" a 3500cca group 31 battery into the stock position? Are you seriously considering this at some point? By the way, what brand of 1700cca battery do you currently have (I assume it's a wet cell)?

Thanks,
Don?

[Ace!]

I'm guessing it's a drycell - deep cycle

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom

[DC]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ace!:
I'm guessing it's a drycell - deep cycle

Áron O'Proinntigh is ainm dom[/quote]
Surely you jest!