Hi,
Anyone out there using an Optima battery? Know anything about the fake plastic battery cases used to hide them in?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave I've used Optima batteries for years now, never had a problem. I'm sure you are familiar with their advantages. I also have the phony plastic case to hide them. The six volt battery fits diagonal in the case, if that is a fit issue, (for the cable connections).I've thought it would be nice to have some USL battery script made up (a sticker),to make it look even more 'period'.

Where Are You From? orygun

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1930 Durant 6-14 standard coupe

Tell me more. I know nothing about them. Stickers I could do.
Wayne

Where Are You From? Iowa

Well the 12V Optima looks like a six pack of beer, and the 6V is a three pack. Therefore when you put the 6V into one of the available battery cases it fits diagonally inside this box. So from the outside it will look like a period 6V battery, but they are supplied with no logos. In the 6-14 owner's manual there is one drawing of the battery showing it to be made by USL--"made in Niagara Falls". Thought it would be neat to have some sticker made up to reproduce this. Of course you have to look under the car on the 6-14 to get a glimpse of the side of the battery, but car restorers are never guilty of overkill are they? Roscoe

Where Are You From? Orygun

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1930 6-14 standard coupe

Thanks for the reply.

Does battery life justify the extra cost for the battery? Where did you buy the plastic case?

Dave

I was in Napa store today, and their poster for Optima batteries says "Up to twice the lifetime". That sounds pretty honest. They used to make you think they lasted a very long time. In my experience they last about 4 or 5 years. I've heard that you need an extra high voltage to recharge them. I haven't tried that.

I guess the advantage is they don't crack open or short out when they freeze.

Do You own a car built by Durant? yes

I got a six volt optima in a repo case: this one had my car's logo "Mercury" on it. Besides long life, these do not discharge as fast as a lead-acid battery when in storage. This has been a problem for me and I've ruined a few lead-acid batteries.

Also, they don't leak acid all over the engine compartment when they die. This is the reason I paid the premium as I has just detailed the engine after a lead acid battery ruined the finish.

I did have a problem with recharging it. The company told me to put a decent sized charger on it instead of the maintenance charger. This did the trick and its still holding the charge.

Where Are You From? San Francisco, CA

Do You own a car built by Durant? 1925 Star