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#1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: St robert Mo
Posts: 2,001
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battery question
Looked at my battery today after driving home it is making a popping sound then I notice it is forcing water out from the cap look into the wheel whell under battery and it is dripping with water. What could cause this checked the alternator and it never goes over 15.00 volts at the battery.
Does this sometimes happen when the batery goes south? Also need to get a battery any recommendations?
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1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO |
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#2 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,686
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Thats not water its acid. Wash it off...
That kinda sounds like your alt is overcharging Do you have acess to a voltmeter Thats how i check mine Put the ole fluke on the battery while its running |
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: St robert Mo
Posts: 2,001
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Yes I meant acid I need to know what would make it do that. Yes it never tested over 15.00 volts?
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1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO |
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#4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: St robert Mo
Posts: 2,001
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I took it to autozone it all tested ok he said it could just be cracked or leaking I just got a new battery.
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1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Buxton, ME
Posts: 91
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Personally, I like Optima batteries...
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#6 |
Stepsides RULE
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 1,921
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Can't go wrong with Everstart with the 3 year warranty. A battery is a battery no matter what anyone says.
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1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Buxton, ME
Posts: 91
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Clifsta - I have to respectfully disagree. Not all batteries are created equal.
The Optima is a sealed gel type battery. No leaks, ever. Mine is 8 years old and shows no sign of weakening. Their warranty is 36 month free replacement, remaining 36 months pro-rated. You don't have acid eating your battery tray, battery cables don't build up corrosion, they are vibration resistant and they don't freeze. Currently, since my truck is sitting in the body shop with no fenders, my red top is hanging sideways from the radiator support and still starts the tuck just fine. Try that will and liquid battery! You pay a premium for them, but both of my trucks have Optimas under to hood...I won't use anything else.... |
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#8 |
No more
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 134
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Ya I want a optima but I had to get a battery on emergency once so I am stuck with the one I got for a couple of years.
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1976 Chevy K10 CheyenneTrue Duals with glasspacks and cutouts, Blacked out tails, Rockford Fosgate H/U with 2 Sony Xplode 6x9s and 2 8" MTX Subs with a Alpine Amp. New front clip in primer. For Sale $2000 obo |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 404
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Ive always bought the sears batteries without a problem plus theres never been a problem with them and a gazillion places to return em if there is
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so many trucks so little time!!! |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Buxton, ME
Posts: 91
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Sears sells Optima batteries now....
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#11 |
Stepsides RULE
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 1,921
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I was not referring to Optima-style batteries; i understood the question to be the best regular battery, not some godawful expensive and potentially overkill Optima battery. If I knew the needs the battery must meet, it would affect my opinions. We have always used Everlast or Everstart, and well, they work. Plus a 36 month warranty. If you got the $$$$$ to get an Optima, then get it, i wouldn't mind one myself with the accessories i have or will get. But with the info given, I gotta assume he ment regular car battery, and when it comes to regular batteries, they are pretty much equal.
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1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Buxton, ME
Posts: 91
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Clifsta - I didn't say anything negative (pardon the pun) about standard lead-acid automotive batteries. I totally agree, when it comes to liquid lead-acid batteries, they are all pretty much the same since there are only a handful of companies that make them.
Your post "a battery is a battery" followed my post regarding the Optima, so I was just posting information for those who aren't aware of the brand. I didn't mean to step on any toes. I tossed the Optima out there for consideration because I like them and the question was posed "battery recommendations" which I assumed to be asking for recommendations for automotive starting batteries, which Optima is one choice. I don't consider them God awful expensive nor overkill because they fit my need/wants, others may consider them as such. I got tired of rotten battery trays and leaking acid. The Optima cost twice as much as a regular battery and lasts twice as long, I call it a wash. It truly depends on your budget and your need. My Suburban had an Everstart in it before the Optima, I didn't have a problem with it until it failed, then I replaced it. I have no problem with Everstart or any other brand...I've owned a lot of them! |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Posts: 2,121
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the fun thing about the Optima's is that you can use them upside down, or any position, doesn't matter at all, plus like previously stated, they don't leak acid out
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'96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer |
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#14 |
Stepsides RULE
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 1,921
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LOL pun on negative. Oh most definately, an Optima would be fly, especially with the 55-watt foggies i got and the 480 watt amp i'm getting for my birthday in less than a month. While on that topic, with a 480 watt amp with nominal totaling 200 watts, should i up my alternator? Not sure how big the one i have in there is, because my dad replaced the original one at some point he said. Keep in mind that also i have and often use the aforementioned fog lights.
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1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Buxton, ME
Posts: 91
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Well, Clifsta, personally I like to stuff the biggest alternator that will fit in the truck! I've been looking at Powermaster and Mean Green, but the stock one is doing the job right now, so I have no plans to replace it yet.
Your foggies are pulling about 10 AMPs and the new amp will draw about 40 AMPs at 480Watts, so there's 50 right there, plus whatever it takes to run the truck (A/C, blower motor, ignition, etc.). With everything turned on, if you still get 13.5 - 14V at the battery at idle, you're probably okay with the alternator you have, if not, you may want to consider an upgrade. I know my '87 has a 94AMP alternator (usually came with A/C equipped trucks), but I'm not sure what was offered in '80.... My personal creed is that the battery is for starting, if I depend on it to supply supplimental current on a regular basis, it may not have any left to start the truck! |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 8,834
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We've seen the negative side but on the positive side...I've got alot of vehicles here with all kinds of different brands of battery's.
But the Optima battery has never let me down, others ? I use to buy the Die-Hard from sears but over the years the quality of these in my opinion has decreased.
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1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Edmond, OK
Posts: 5,906
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my battery leaks as well... but it boils after driving it hard.... never heard a battery boil.. i have replaced the alt and it seemed to help, but i am in need of a new batt.. and would like to get an optima, but i am holding out until i can afford it.
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#18 | |
Stepsides RULE
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 1,921
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Quote:
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1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord |
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#19 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,686
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YOu know that There are only like two companys that make batteries right? Wal mart western auto autozone batteries are made by GNB THey make a bunch for other people i dont know of as well.
The stores just get their brand on them Like everstart etc, |
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#20 |
california fill
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sunny So-Cal
Posts: 694
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i have never been let down by a "regular" battery.. costco batteries are great and cheap. Ill never waste my money on another optima! they look pretty and thats about it. I dont plan on running my battery upside down.
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Buxton, ME
Posts: 91
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Clifsta - Delcotron 55AMP would be your alternator. That's probably what came with A/C in 1980, but since you said yours was replaced, you may have a higher amperage one in there...you'd have to check the numbers.
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