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Chbowers Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2014 Posts: 37 Location: Mocksville, NC
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 9:07 am Post subject: Optima Battery |
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Wondering if anyone has put a sealed battery in their VW. Optimas website doesn't list VWS from the aircooled era on their site. |
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Mr.Duncan Samba Member
Joined: May 12, 2012 Posts: 3542 Location: Houston, TX
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 9:42 am Post subject: |
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Yes.
Does it NEED it? No.
Unless you are somewhere way up north, where its super cold. (need lots of CCA)
Or if you are running more than stock electrical items, I really don't see the justice in spending another $150 Extra for a sealed battery. _________________ (Owner) www.vintagecarleds.com
Red 1971 Squareback Thread
Red 1966 Beetle Thread
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1971 Green Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Ghia (sold)
1971 Blue Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Java Green Std Beetle (sold)
1971 Red Squareback (sold)
1966 Red Beetle |
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60ragtop Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006 Posts: 7800 Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 10:37 am Post subject: |
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...highlight=
One of may threads on this very subject from a quick site search _________________ Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986
tasb wrote: |
I've restored a large number too, but I don't toot my horn quite as loud.
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sb001 wrote: |
maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked |
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BUGGED11111 Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2006 Posts: 1819 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:26 pm Post subject: |
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I wasn't impressed with Optimas. Lasted 2.5 years and died of a dead short. Which to me translates to overpriced and over-rated.
Back to trusty Interstates |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76889 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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My last Interstate MT45 lasted 7 years. My current one is 4 years old and works like new.
I have a gear reduction starter and 2180 with 9.5... it cranks no problem. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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andk5591 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16757 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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I have optimas in 3 of ours. Oldest is 6 years old with over 25K miles on it. Gets parked over the winter. Never an issue starting the car. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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Chbowers Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2014 Posts: 37 Location: Mocksville, NC
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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2014 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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I guess I was thinking that a sealed battery would not put off the fumes that kill a VW floor pan. That was my only concern. Guess I won't worry about it if they are that much more price wise. |
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modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26776 Location: Colorado Springs
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 12:56 am Post subject: |
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I haven't seen one last past two years. It may be the climate here kills em quick. |
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RailBoy Samba Member
Joined: March 10, 2008 Posts: 2904 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 2:05 am Post subject: |
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I have run a Orbatil in my Rail since 2005 or so, a better version of the Optima, thing is it is kept in a climate control environment most of the time, and pushes a SR-17 starter I think, the starter of a Automatic Type 2 I think.... But it does it and still is...
Thing is I went with the Orbital do to availiability, but also, Optima went through some quality control issues when they went to being made in Mexico..... RB
_________________ [quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]
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andk5591 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16757 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:58 am Post subject: |
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Yeah - the outgassing was my big concern, which is why I went with an Optima. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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Bashr52 Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2006 Posts: 5666 Location: On an island in VA
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:22 am Post subject: |
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The optima battery of today is not the same as they were years ago. They started using recyled lead, which was part of the change when they outsourced their production. That was when production went to crap. I have seen some displays at the local shops proclaiming they switched back to 99.9% pure virgin lead, but I have still heard bad things about pre-mature failures. I havnt used one since about 2003/4 when I installed one in my baja. I now run Sears re-branded Odyssey batteries with zero issues. |
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jcmyers Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2012 Posts: 184 Location: United States
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:03 am Post subject: |
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i like the odyssey 925 batteries a lot, they're compact and don't seem to lose any charge while being in storage |
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