So it seems I’ll need a battery shortly

[Old Mopar Guy]

My Ctek indicates my battery is seriously sulfated. Car is still on oem and going on 8 yrs. Dont really feel the need for a big dollar light weight unit as I don’t race the car. Just looking for something with equal or preferably better power. Prefer AGM over lead acid I guess? Is the vent tube still required with AGM? Plug and play a plus. Thanks all.

 

[drag racer]

Optima Yellow Top all the way.

 

[TraxMoe]

Have you tried to desulfate the battery ? Most new chargers have that option , If that doesn't work I'd go with an Interstate battery. It is a battery made in the USA

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

@TraxMoe I do believe the Ctek does do that as one of the steps while charging. I’ll go with something new in a few weeks when it comes out of hibernation. It was cranking slowly last weekend.

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

Optima Yellow Top all the way.

I had one several years back that only lasted something painfully short, like 3 yrs. maybe? I guess they’re better now?

 

[drag racer]

Since the original Optima start-up company based in Colorado was swallowed up by Johnson Controls and manufacturing promptly moved to Mexico quite a while ago, my service with them has been hit and miss, but some of the early failures were my own fault and in use in the race trailer, and I wasn't always on-top of keeping them charged. But I will say my final "Made in Colorado" Red Top finally gave up this life after 15 years and 3 months of service last month, starting with my dragster, then making the rounds in our daily's ever since, in Arizona heat no less. Most don't believe me when I tell them. That's fine - it's true. I still like them. Oldest one I have left in my fleet is 4 years old in my current daily. The new DIN designs for the modern cars are a plate design (not the SpiralCell), and the jury is still out, but I replaced my Challenger OE battery with one and has been fine so far - going on 3 years. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[DavidKFla]

My Charger is on battery #5 a little over 4 years. The yellow top in both the car and trailer are holding up very well so far. They both go through periods of discharge and they seem to charge back up and hold its charge. I can now download a tune without the battery going flat or having to use a charger.
Hopefully they will stay that way.

 

[jroyk]

My Ctek indicates my battery is seriously sulfated. Car is still on oem and going on 8 yrs. Dont really feel the need for a big dollar light weight unit as I don’t race the car. Just looking for something with equal or preferably better power. Prefer AGM over lead acid I guess? Is the vent tube still required with AGM? Plug and play a plus. Thanks all.

AGM requires a vent tube.

 

[Jimmy N.]

But I will say my final "Made in Colorado" Red Top finally gave up this life after 15 years and 3 months of service last month, starting with my dragster, then making the rounds in our daily's ever since, in Arizona heat no less. Most don't believe me when I tell them. That's fine - it's true. I still like them.

About a year ago I had to replace four Blue Tops in my toy hauler. They'd been in there since '98 or '99.

I credit using desulfation (Canadus in that case) for making them last that long.

 

[SilverBillet]

My Charger is on battery #5 a little over 4 years…

Even a cheap battery lasts longer than that. You must be doing something wrong…

 

[TraxMoe]

@TraxMoe I do believe the Ctek does do that as one of the steps while charging. I’ll go with something new in a few weeks when it comes out of hibernation. It was cranking slowly last weekend.

I suppose that depends on what model you have

 

[covidcommander]

Optima Yellow Top all the way.

They were hit or miss for me, most being a miss. Poor customer service from optima as well

 

[MJS73]

The "power" (rated in Cold Cranking Amps) in a battery is irrelevant if the car is not driven in the winter. The only thing a battery does it start the car, the alternator runs all of the electrical devices once the car is started. Since the OEM battery lasted 8 years why not go back with another OEM battery?

 

[Jimmy N.]

Since the OEM battery lasted 8 years why not go back with another OEM battery?

Not a bad idea, assuming that Dodge didn't change suppliers, or the supplier changed the batteries, like Optima did.

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

I would figure the price of an oem would be exorbitant just like their other parts, no?

 

[Speedy!]

Duralast or similar from local parts shop? If not going for a light weight race battery I'm not sure it matters.

 

[jroyk]

Duralast or similar from local parts shop? If not going for a light weight race battery I'm not sure it matters.

I’ve had very good luck with Duralast Gold and Platinum on daily drivers. Just make sure they’re fresh.

 

[MikeD1]

I did some research a few years ago & dug this up - may have changed since then tho .........................


Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries. Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names.
Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models.
Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries.
Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), Optima, and some EverStarts.

I was considering the Optima at one time, but it seems their once stellar ratings have declined significantly since production moved to Mexico.

I replaced mine with another OE battery, cost was not that much more than NAPA, Duralast or Interstate.

 

[Old Mopar Guy]

I’ve read good things here about this one:

 

[jroyk]

I’ve read good things here about this one:
View attachment 97426

I put that in my ‘14 JGC last summer. So far, so good.