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Old 10-09-2004, 02:51 PM   #1
76bonanza
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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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Old 10-09-2004, 03:21 PM   #2
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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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Old 10-09-2004, 03:33 PM   #3
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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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Old 10-09-2004, 05:36 PM   #4
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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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Old 10-09-2004, 06:32 PM   #5
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Personally, I like Optima batteries...
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Old 10-09-2004, 06:36 PM   #6
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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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Old 10-09-2004, 07:43 PM   #7
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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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Old 10-09-2004, 08:01 PM   #8
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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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Old 10-09-2004, 08:15 PM   #9
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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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Old 10-09-2004, 08:30 PM   #10
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Sears sells Optima batteries now....
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Old 10-09-2004, 08:39 PM   #11
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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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Old 10-09-2004, 10:57 PM   #12
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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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Old 10-09-2004, 11:59 PM   #13
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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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Old 10-10-2004, 12:01 AM   #14
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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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Old 10-10-2004, 12:42 AM   #15
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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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Old 10-10-2004, 10:08 AM   #16
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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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Old 10-10-2004, 12:48 PM   #17
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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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Old 10-10-2004, 12:51 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1987SierraClassic
Well, . 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....
Well my 80 has A/C. BUT I just checked the option sticker in the glovebox and it says option number K77, Delcotron GE 55 AMP something. That couldn't be the alternator though; didn't think a 55 AMP alternator existed. Must be headlamps or something? Wow i had completely forgot about the dealer option sticker, now i gotta go write everything down and learn more.
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1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD
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Old 10-10-2004, 01:46 PM   #19
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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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Old 10-10-2004, 02:19 PM   #20
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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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Old 10-10-2004, 07:50 PM   #21
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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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