Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Don't think an Optima can match the lead acid in some things but in others, I believe they do have an advantage. Here is one distributors propaganda page as to what some are.1st-optima-batteries.com/index.html Not a totally valid comparison I know, but I seem to have had better luck with longevity over lead acid in my mostly sit there unused car.

Optima batteries use sulfuric acid in some kind of gel. Which is the basic operation of a lead acid battery.

HH56, thanks for the link, I browsed it and feel a bit better informed. I see about 20% less cold cranking amps that with the lead/acid battery I use which typically gives me 6-7 years of service, so I guess for the moment I'll stick with the large NAPA 7212 for my 6-volt car, and when the 12-volt requires replacement in the Carib, I'll take another look at the situation. A lot of that choice depends on how much you want authentic appearance; close to $300 for an Optima in a Group 60 Willard case galls me when a Group 63 from Interstate is less than $100, and a rattle can of semigloss back makes it look reasonably correct.

Choices, choices. At least we have them.

If you going to use an Optima as your main starter battery, then use a red-top optima. I have had bad luck with the yellow-top one breaking down pretty quickly when used as the starter battery. The yellow top work great as a deep-cycle constant draw battery. But I think it the heavy draw of amps for the starting process that kills the yellow-top ones over time.