Once again, batterys. I'm new, gimme a break

[J. Perrault]

What is the hot battery set up for older 911's ?

I just purchased an SC. It is a pretty clean car for 33 years old.
Rolled the dice, no P.P.I.... I know, I know, but I think It'll be ok.
Did notice a small trace amount of white residue in, and around the trunk battery area.

Got it home a week later and there was slightly more than anticipated.
Baking soda, then water, three times.
Set up fans to dry all the crevasses out.
P.O says the voltage regulator has been replaced. If that is the case, would anything else cook a AGM battery ?

Anyway, the car came with an slightly new Bosch Premium Power battery, which I believe to be a Absorbed Glass Mat "Wet" battery.
Group 49 (big, you have to almost shoe horn it in)
CCA 850
part # 49-850B

So, I've sifted through threads here on Pelican. You guys have done quite a bit of trial and error through the years, whats the best way to go? Optima seems like it was the choice a few years back.
Gel type ?
size ?
Brand ?
Help- Thanks everyone !
-Josh P

[JacobS911]

Odyssey PC680 is what I run.

[darrin]

you need to determine what cooked the battery -- get a voltmeter and measure voltage while driving to look for spikes. You'll trash whatever battery you purchase if you don't solve the overcharging problem first.

I'm running an AGM battery (similar to your bosch battery) without problem. Optimas use similar technology -- While I appreciate tcar's statement, I'm unclear on how an optima would react differently to an overcharging situation and, without clarification on why an optima's materially better than a "standard" agm battery, am hesitant to go through the time/expense necessary to fit/secure a non-standard-sized optima battery in my carrera.

[patz]

Optima Yellow top, my 2nd in 14 years.

[canamfan]

"without clarification on why an optima's materially better than a "standard" agm battery, am hesitant to go through the time/expense necessary to fit/secure a non-standard-sized optima battery in my Carrera".++ Same here. Totally agree with this statement as well as figuring out your overcharging issue(s) first regardless of battery choice. Besides, dig a little deeper in battery discussions & you'll probably discover Optima is not end all be all. For their price point you'd think they'd be perfect....they're not.

[dad911]

Search. Myself, and many others have had problems with Optimas lately. I would never buy another one. Optima Jim used to check in here, told me he would stand behind it, and never heard from him again.

[turbo owner]

Originally Posted by dad911

Search. Myself, and many others have had problems with Optimas lately. I would never buy another one. Optima Jim used to check in here, told me he would stand behind it, and never heard from him again.

I had 2 fail in 4 years, never again.

[jac1976]

Deka ETX30

[MARISOL78sc]

Odyssey 925 for me

[Quickstep192]

I used Oddyssey batteries in my car, but I'd have admit that it had more to do with finding a size that would fit in the battery boxes in my '73 than brand loyalty. That aside, I've been very happy with them. I have Lifeline AGM batteries in a boat and a truck and I'm pleased with them also.

[joe payne]

Anything Odyssey. I have a 680 but a 925 is great too!

[86 ssinit]

Been using this kinetik battery for awhile now no problems. Bought it on eBay,it's lightweight and about half the size of the old battery. Check out nineballs installation thread.

[J. Perrault]

Thank you for all the input everyone.

Am I correct in my thinking, that voltage reg. problems and battery boxes are the main reason you guys run non- AGM batterys.
Gel Cells can swell from overcharging, has anyone seen a gel cell leak.

That said, the problem that caused the leak on the SC could still exist of course. I really just would like to avoid flushing out the trunk again (obv.)
And, a slightly smaller unit I could take in/take out would be a plus.
Point taken, If problem still exits it will scrap the new battery.

I do appreciate the difference of opinions on this subject, thanks again.

[Franks89-911]

I had the opposite problem in my 89 911 inherited from Pops. The alternator wasn't putting out any voltage! Dad drove around like that for gosh knows how long and so did I! I caught it when the headlights started looking dim and starting became squirrely. 10v output from what remained of the battery.

I went with an Autocraft (advance auto) H6 size AGM. Paid maybe 120? Saved 20% by buying online and then picking up at store. Been a great battery. Bit smaller than H8 original and stays put.

I had the alternator rebuilt first of course and I watch output like a hawk now with this handy meter:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EVWDU0/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3/191-3050007-0181548?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=1WCCGFACY0PTM16N5WPE&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1944687582&pf_rd_i=B00962CQNC

I also FWIW put the battery on a trickle charger during the week as its not my daily driver.

I am the ultimate noob and even I disassembled alt/fan from engine and took to shop, then reinstalled crazy pulley/ shim system and IT WORKS. 14v every time, all the time. If i can anyone can. Hope that inspires you

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by J. Perrault

Thank you for all the input everyone.

Am I correct in my thinking, that voltage reg. problems and battery boxes are the main reason you guys run non- AGM batterys.
Gel Cells can swell from overcharging, has anyone seen a gel cell leak.

I think you are confusing battery types. First of all the Bosch battery you have is NOT an AGM battery, it is the old style "flooded cell" design with the electrolyte/acid which will boil off when overcharged, which you are calling a "wet battery".

Bosch does make an AGM but it's the next price level up. An AGM battery does not boil off acid like a flooded cell and is THE type of battery most folks now use to prevent corrosion problems. Both Optima and the newer premium AGM batteries use Absorbed Glass Mat construction where the electrolyte "acid" is more of a thin paste absorbed in a fiberglass mat between the lead plates. They are sealed and don't leak. The only unique difference in an Optima is the lead plate/glass mats are spiral wrapped into six cylinders/cells.
Even in normal charging operation, a flooded cell battery will "off gas" acid fumes thru their vents and contribute to corrosion. Get an AGM battery!!!

[J. Perrault]

Unwana, Yes, your absolutely right.
I did not understand that an AGM battery and The Bosche I have aren't the same animal.
Thanks !

[Driven97]

Originally Posted by JacobS911

Odyssey PC680 is what I run.

I have a PC680 too, but I wouldn't recommend it for a daily driver / weekender type car. It's tiny! Great way to lose a bunch of pounds for AX though.



It's fine during warm months starting my car up after sitting all week, but I have to leave it on a maintainer as soon as it cools off or it'll be weak enough to either barely or not start the car in a week.

[famoroso]

I did a Group 48 AGM battery from Batteries+ and I'm quite happy. Same deal, purchased online and picked up in store for a savings.

3.2 Carrera battery recommendations in 2015? AGM?

[Pazuzu]

I used Optimas EXCLUSIVELY for almost 20 years, through sports cars and extreme off road vehicles, which were abused and left for dead over and over again.

Never again. Last one survived about 15 months of daily driving in my car, and died with literally no warning.
I went with a Sears AGM Diehard (I'll have to check if I went with the Gold or the Platinum), size 34R. Perfect, beautiful, 13.6V day in and day out. The Gold is around $180. I'd buy the cheapest AGM from Wallymart before I bought any Optima ever again.

Most of the AGM batteries are from 2 or 3 factories, and relabeled as needed.

[Starless]

For what it's worth, Firestone has the Interstate Powerfast 850CCA, maintenance free for $79.99. I know nothing about this battery, just happened to run across it as I'm looking for a new battery for my SC. If anyone has any experience with this battery I'd love to hear.