Optima batteries

Unknown
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edited November -1 in HUDSON
Does anyone have feedback on Optima 6 Volt Red Top batteries?



I am considering trying one in my '35 Hudson, as long as it fits under the floorboard.



Have heard it is a sealed battery which does not require filling with distilled water like the old type batteries - the design is modern, but I also hear you can get a casing to make it more correct to the time period, but again, being under a floorboard, I don't think anyone would really care that much.



Just looking for something better than the old, leaky alternative.



Thanks,



Alan

Comments

  • hudsonguy
    hudsonguy Senior Contributor
    Alan,



    I'm sure some others will chime in, since I know there are several here that use the Optima in their older 6V Hudsons. I'm using a 12V Optima in a 'Brand-X' of mine, and I love it. Amazing cranking power for such a small package. Also, since it's a dry cell battery, you could lay it on it's side if necessary for your under floorboard location.
  • Hudson Grandpa
    Hudson Grandpa Expert Adviser
    Had all those old leaky alternatives.. Bought a 6 Volt Red Top for my 54 Hornet cpe three weeks ago. It's an amazing battery. Out shines the leakys about 3X for cranking power. I made my own holdown, and decided to leave it as you see it under the hood. Will get plenty of questions I'm sure. Next will be a 6VAlternator. That should clean up any electrical problems I have been having. Jump in I guarantee you, you won't be sorry.
  • 50C8DAN
    50C8DAN Senior Contributor
    Amazon had them for $99 last fall but they have gone up $136! Still I wished I had gotten one before I bought my last antique style job.
  • TwinH
    TwinH Senior Contributor
    My $.02. I've heard LOTS of horror stories on Optimas in the last few years.

    Seems the original Swedish? company sold to Johnson Controls who

    eventually moved production to Mexico. I dunno,just that I've heard people

    badmouthing them. My 49 came to me with two red top 6V and a 6/12V

    system. These batteries are from 1995 and are just getting to the point

    of being marginal. Haven't let me down yet,but at 15 years old are past

    there prime. Just haven't convinced myself to pull the trigger on the

    Mexican made replacements.

    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=410932&highlight=optima+battery
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I have two 6v Optima batteries (one in each Hudson) and a 12v Optima in my F*** work truck. There's not a better 6v battery made.
  • SamJ
    SamJ Senior Contributor
    I've put in my two cents worth in here b4. The 6v Optima I put in my '40 a few years ago is the best thing I ever did for driveability. Can't say anything negative about them. Installed with a fake case, so looks okay too. BTW, I blasted my my hood supports and had them powder coated in clear (which I didn't know was avail until the PC guy suggested it.) You can see the result in this foe toe. :o
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Got Optima's in all my Hudsons. 6V and 12V best battery made for the money. Crank all day. Minimum fuss.
  • 37 CTS
    37 CTS Senior Contributor
    I will NEVER go back to old style lead acid battery.



    The Optima is small in size so use some blocks of wood to fit in the old Hudson battery tray and hold down bracket. You will want it to fit in such a way not to vibrate or rattle.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    The new Mexican Optimas are crap. The old Made in USA units were fine batteries. I know very few people running them these days. I won't touch a new Optima.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    An optima battery hides here.



    Wouldn't have any other -- love the thing.



    I've since removed that shut-off thingy (didn't look right in there).



    Last picture shows the way it should be IMO.
  • onerare39
    onerare39 Expert Adviser, Member
    Yep, Red Top Optima has been a great battery.

    (credit to Sam J for the lead on the fake battery case)
  • EssexAdv
    EssexAdv Expert Adviser, Member
    OK, where did you get the fake case??
  • VicTor Z
    VicTor Z Senior Contributor
    I bought mine from the Packard car club, So Ca Chapter. $95.00
  • onerare39
    onerare39 Expert Adviser, Member
    EssexAdv wrote:
    OK, where did you get the fake case??



    Quail Services - quailservices.com



    The following information is from their website.



    If you have an Optima 6 volt battery, or plan to use one in your vintage auto, then you should consider using the Disguise Battery case. the Disguise is designed to safely conceal the Optima 850-6 battery as well as provide the look of a conventional lead acid battery. The Disguise is available in two models: the, 2D-II, and 2LD-II. The 2D-II case looks like a modern group 2 battery, the 2LD-II has the appearance of a vintage Group 2L tar top battery.



    Please note: The 2D-2 and 2LD-II have been redesigned to accomodate the current Optima 6 volt battery design as well as previous designs



    Model 2LD II Tar Top shown below, $95.00 plus Shipping from Zip 92881. Model 2D II (not shown) $68.00, battery not included.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Got mine from antiqueautobattery.com



    They make them up from as-original hard rubber cases, seal the optima in there at the factory before they ship it to you, and orient the posts the way you want them.



    The top cell tie bars are real lead bars, and the whole thing is indistinguishable from an "original" OEM battery, unless you open one of the period correct caps -- then you'll see the top of the optima battery in there instead of "acid" (which you never have to add by the way, because they are gell cell,) and I'm told could even be mounted upside down if I could ever figure out why I'd want to do that.



    Cost was just a bit over two hundrd bucks as I recall, and worth every penny IMO. I'd never put a lead-acid battery in one of my Hudsons, after seeing the mess they can leave behind over the years.



    Thes things are as close to "plug-n-play" as it gets, at least in the battery department.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    My dad Has used optima for years, until recently! he had great luck befor but the last 2 he bought caught fire for no aparent reason! the electrical systems were all good in the vehicles he had them in as they were newer vehicles. the last time he pulled the minivan into the parking garage and saw smoke coming from under the hood, with my disabled mother locked into her electric wheel chair lock, luckily someone saw what was going on and put out hte fire with an extinguisher they had in the garage then they had to break the locks to get my mother out. Just our recent horror story, maybe there is a problem with the mexican batteries. We wont use them anymore until they are Made In the USA again!
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