Replacing battery

[yaycandy]

I need a new battery now, ford dealers around me are closed. I want an optima redtop, ive used them for over 10 years and they have amazed me. I dont see a group 65 one on their website. Did anyone install and optima or a non group 65 battery that installs alright?

 

[luigisho]

This looks close -as in will fit- although external dimensions are a little smaller for sure
https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/redtop-starting-battery/78

A quick search states group 65 measurements as 11.85 x 7.3 x 7.4
I don't know which of the last 2 measurements is height or width but you can get that easy enough.

I think Odyssey makes one that is a 65 if you are interested in that.

 

[SHOdded]

Optima comes with adapters to fit it in the battery tray, so it should not be loose in there.

Odyssey highly recommend this one
https://shop.odysseybattery.com/p/65-pc1750t
Pulse (5-second) Hot Cranking Amps (PHCA) 1750
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) 950
20Hr Nominal Capacity (Ah) 74
Reserve Capacity Minutes 145
Dimensions L x W x H (in) 11.83x7.20x7.43
Metric Dimensions L x W x H (mm) 300.5x182.9x188.7
Weight (lbs) 58
Weight (kg) 26.3

You can always go Motorcraft ToughMax 850 AGM
https://parts.levittownfordparts.com/oem-parts/ford-vehicle-battery-bxt65850

 

[yaycandy]

This looks close -as in will fit- although external dimensions are a little smaller for sure
https://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/redtop-starting-battery/78

A quick search states group 65 measurements as 11.85 x 7.3 x 7.4
I don't know which of the last 2 measurements is height or width but you can get that easy enough.

I think Odyssey makes one that is a 65 if you are interested in that.

Sidemount though, no autozones near me with osyssey in stock. Brass terminals has me sold though. Ill call the ford dealer 50yards from me to see if parts is open to get a toughmax.

 

[yaycandy]

I called ford and parts was open. They have a 850 toughmax on hold for me. Original battery dated sometime late 2014. Car has been acting funny past year or so. With blowing engine, i havent really driven much. 8k miles in 17 months. Sensors acting up like they are bad but no cel for them and then radio will only stay on for a couple minutes in acc until it says charge fault on the dash. Hopefully the new battery magically makes the car act better everywhere, ive read that even a new battery can make the idle be more steady but who knows with these overly computer driven engines.

 

[SM105K]

The SHO is really sensitive to weak batteries. I noticed things went funky right before I replaced mine last year.

 

[jman1200]

My SHO didn't start this morning and I might need to replace my battery, your thread comes in at just the right time for me.
I've always bought conventional batteries, I look for reliable and long warranty and have had a very good experience with Kirkland's (I can hear people thinking OMG!!!)...

You got me curious about why:
1- AGM, I know they are lighter and have many advantages but also could get damaged by heat and overcharging if the vehicle's charging system is not designed for it. I believe the Motorcraft BXT-65-650 which is what I found in the manual is not an AGM...

As with all gelled and sealed units, AGM batteries are sensitive to overcharging. A charge to 2.40V/cell (and higher) is fine; however, the float charge should be reduced to between 2.25 and 2.30V/cell (summer temperatures may require lower voltages). Automotive charging systems for flooded lead acid often have a fixed float voltage setting of 14.40V (2.40V/cell); a direct replacement with a sealed unit could overcharge the battery on a long drive. (See BU-403: Charging Lead Acid.)

AGM and other sealed batteries do not like heat and should be installed away from the engine compartment. Manufacturers recommend halting charge if the battery core reaches 49°C (120°F). Table 1 spells out the advantages and limitations of AGM.

Source: https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm

2. Why Optima Red? At least at Costco, it offers the shortest warranty.

 

[luigisho]

The costco interstate replacement is $100. That's usually my default after dealer unit.

 

[yaycandy]

Optima is like the only battery brand anymore as every other battery brand is all owned and made by johnson controls. Something like that

 

[SaveMelMac]

Optima is like the only battery brand anymore as every other battery brand is all owned and made by johnson controls. Something like that

Ummm optima was bought out by Johnson controls some years ago. After that there quality seemed to drop. But if you had good luck with them go for it. IMO East pen makes the best battery out there. Sold under the Deka brand, energizer and I believe they make the batteries for O’reilys

 

[yaycandy]

Yea i think my statement would have been right years ago. I had to look it up after i said it, couldnt remember who they sold to. Deka is good, just overly expensive. Usually redtop batterys can be found at the junkyard in bad condition and still work fine. My gm one is over 10 years old, the sidemount is now rusted drywall screws and still works fine

 

[yaycandy]

I got the toughmax 850. For 128$, i dont think you are beating the price anywhere else. I would have bought the odyssey if it was in stock locally though, i think that one is 300$

 

[luigisho]

I'm cheap. I would have got the tough max

 

[yaycandy]

Ummm optima was bought out by Johnson controls some years ago. After that there quality seemed to drop. But if you had good luck with them go for it. IMO East pen makes the best battery out there. Sold under the Deka brand, energizer and I believe they make the batteries for O’reilys

I think i was thinking about deka. I remember reading back in 2005 or so that they were like the last independant battery companys. I thought they had optima also, guess not. I seen new optimas says mexico on them, my old one dosnt so im not sure on their quality anymore

 

[SHOdded]

My SHO didn't start this morning and I might need to replace my battery, your thread comes in at just the right time for me.
I've always bought conventional batteries, I look for reliable and long warranty and have had a very good experience with Kirkland's (I can hear people thinking OMG!!!)...

You got me curious about whyView attachment 12612

If your SHO is a daily driver, you might do fine with a conventional battery. But it seems like the SHO for many people is not. AGM can be beneficial in that situation, where the car sits for long periods of time, or you have a lot of short-tripping. With conventional batteries, you may or may not get the rated life, but if the warranty and warranty provider look good to you, go with it.

Just be sure to get the highest rated CCA (and preferably reserve capacity) battery you can, as these machines are power hungry.

As far as suitability for the SHO, since the AGM battery IS offered by Ford, there is no issue there.

If you use an external charger, make sure it is an AGM capable smart charger.

If you are concerned about heat, stick a wireless/bluetooth temp sensor on the battery/nearby location and see what environment it has to deal with. Better than guesswork.

 

[SM105K]

Ummm optima was bought out by Johnson controls some years ago. After that there quality seemed to drop. But if you had good luck with them go for it. IMO East pen makes the best battery out there. Sold under the Deka brand, energizer and I believe they make the batteries for O’reilys

100% agree that after Opitma was bought their quality went to crap.

 

[yaycandy]

Replaced battery today with toughmax 850. Acting alittle funny running but i guess its trying to learn. Took a picture of one of my old optimas that works still in my yard truck even with a tek screw holding the battery plug on. Still works just fine.

 

[yaycandy]

I dont get it but changing the battery fixed like all my driveability issues and bov issues. Looks better on datalog also with no change but battery. Didnt fix my whining rear wheel bearing though

 

[SHOdded]

Obviously you did not buy the silencer option when offered ...

Did you check the old battery voltage/CCAs? It was probably unstable enough to cause a wide range of problems.

 

[yaycandy]

Obviously you did not buy the silencer option when offered ...

Did you check the old battery voltage/CCAs? It was probably unstable enough to cause a wide range of problems.

No i didnt check it, i will someday probably before i stick it in another vehicle