Battery for my PT GT?

kawizx9r

So my battery is old and really giving out. It's been in some pretty hot/humid weather, and coming out here it's just always cold and raining (not as cold as it was in Chicago, but raining alot).

Anyway, I plan on getting a battery tomorrow locally. Not too many places to get a battery from but I want/need one and want suggestions on top battery picks.

I have a system that pushes about 800 watts total rms (when turned all the way up, which doesn't happen). Other than that, there are no other power hungry components being used. My first pick is an Optima yellowtop battery but I don't know if that's possible due to the battery size I'll need. I'll be checking out Sears and a few other places.

So, top battery brands...LIST THEM! I want something dependable

I'm hoping my budget doesn't exceed $140...by much.

-Freddy

PS Car is a PT Cruiser GT (not like it matters)

LessisNevermore

Interstate. No need to look further.

kawizx9r

LessisNevermore wrote: »

Interstate. No need to look further.

That was actually the first place I looked at.

There's an Interstate Batteries location in my city, and online they suggested this - http://www.interstatebatteries.com/cs_eStore/Products/RT/PID-MT-26R%28Automotive+Truck%29.aspx?dsNavigation=Ns~product+Type|101|1|%2cN~21-4294493463-4294492808-2147384741&Title=Mega-Tron+26-R+Automotive+Battery+++75+months+++540+CCA

The Mega-tron (type is 26R).

Sherardp

I would for Optima. I've had them in every car with no problems which include hi end luxury cars.

messiah

My vote is for the Optima too.

kawizx9r

Like I said, that's my top pick but it's not available in 26R.

I might get by with a 36R since I don't have the stock airbox in place (K&N FIPK filter instead) which allows a bit more room for the battery. However, I might have to create a bracket or mod it a bit...not something I'd look forward to. That and it may stretch the budget.

We'll see what's available tomorrow.

Optima, then Interstate. Any other suggestions?

messiah

Sorry Bro, I didn't know Optima didn't specify a battery for your car. I'm pretty sure one will work though. I'd help you, but you moved to THAT state.

The state I live in sucks too :frown:

Sherardp

Odysssey makes a deep cycle battery in 26r for your vehicle. Not sure of cost though.

WilliamM2

I get mne at Auto Zone. Current battery is 7 years old and still going strong. Think it was $59 on sale.

NotaSuv

Optima here for the last 15 years and never a problem...........

concealer404

I honestly just use the cheapest WalMart batteries i can find for the cars i drive daily.

I use a Braile CF battery in the Celica, though.

kawizx9r

messiah wrote: »

Sorry Bro, I didn't know Optima didn't specify a battery for your car. I'm pretty sure one will work though. I'd help you, but you moved to THAT state.

The state I live in sucks too :frown:

Yeah, they carry the next size up which isn't really meant for my vehicle :frown:

Sherardp wrote: »

Odysssey makes a deep cycle battery in 26r for your vehicle. Not sure of cost though.

I was checking out the Odyssey as well. Prices vary depending on location but it might just be outside budget. If I can find a 26R then I'll make an exception.

WilliamM2 wrote: »

I get mne at Auto Zone. Current battery is 7 years old and still going strong. Think it was $59 on sale.

What battery is that exactly?

NotaSuv wrote: »

Optima here for the last 15 years and never a problem...........

Read above

concealer404 wrote: »

I honestly just use the cheapest WalMart batteries i can find for the cars i drive daily.

I use a Braile CF battery in the Celica, though.

Thought about that but my daily has a system in it.

concealer404

Seriously. Walmart battery. Whatever the yellow one is. They usually last 5-8 years for me, and they're cheap.

I'm running one in the MX6 right now, and it's got so many electronic doo-dads in it that driving it feels like flying a jetliner.

Joe08867

concealer404 wrote: »

Seriously. Walmart battery. Whatever the yellow one is. They usually last 5-8 years for me, and they're cheap.

I'm running one in the MX6 right now, and it's got so many electronic doo-dads in it that driving it feels like flying a jetliner.

Same on in my car. 600watt stereo, satellite radio, GPS and Doodads up the wazoo etc..... Plus I have my satellite radio turn on 1hr before I start the car everyday of the week without issue. The last one lasted 6 or so years until I left interior lights on all weekend and killed it.

WilliamM2

kawizx9r wrote: »

What battery is that exactly?

Duralast, Auto Zone's house brand, 72 month, but it's outlived that by over a year already. They are made by Interstate, like most batteries. They have a 26R for $69.

kawizx9r

WilliamM2 wrote: »

Duralast, Auto Zone's house brand, 72 month, but it's outlived that by over a year already. They are made by Interstate, like most batteries. They have a 26R for $69.

Just got back from buying a Duralast, thanks. Got the red top battery with +2year so it was a bit more ($84 bucks with trade in).

I knew it was the battery but just to make sure, I cleaned the terminals and took it in for a free battery/alternator test. Battery was fully charged and bad, charging system was working great so in with the new battery.

Thanks guys.

Oh, and I would've gone with the Interstate but they weren't available in the size I needed. Soon as I shut off the car, I couldn't get it to start without a jump so I needed a battery asap.

gdb

I don't know about nowadays but, the DieHard batts from Sears used to have incredible reserve capacity, which would be a good thing in a high-drain, option/stereo-heavy vehicle.

OptimaJim

Hi Freddy, I noticed you were looking at our batteries and I'm sorry we didn't have a direct-fit replacement battery in your size. Unfortunately, there are more than 60 different automotive BCI group sizes and we only offer 12 different group sizes. However, I know lots of PT owners use our batteries in their cars in applications that we consider “custom-fitments.”

While I'm mentioning custom-fitments, I just want to remind everyone that if anyone is considering mounting a battery in a trunk (or any enclosed space), the battery should be properly-vented to the outside. Even though our batteries have a “sealed” design, all lead-acid batteries can vent gas. Under normal operating conditions, an AGM battery will not vent gas. Since alternators or chargers can fail, the safest and correct mounting method for trunks and passenger compartments is to make sure that any possible gas venting will escape to the outside of the vehicle. All vehicles with original equipment battery locations in the trunks or passenger compartments will have a vent provision that should be used.

Our group 27, 51, 34C, and 31 batteries all have ports for connecting a vent hose. Although people do it anyway, we would never recommend installing an unvented battery in any enclosed space, because there's a legitimate, albeit unlikely, safety risk involved.

For example, IF there is a voltage regulator failure, and IF the battery is severely overcharged, and IF this goes unnoticed, and IF the battery vents because the internal pressure exceeds the release pressure of the vents, the gasses are both flammable and toxic. This may sound like a lot of “ifs,” but attorneys and engineers get paid to plan for every worst-case scenario. If anyone has any questions about our batteries, I'll do my best to answer them.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries

kawizx9r

Damn, well isn't that something?

Thanks for the helpful info there Jim, I'm sure others will appreciate it. I was really set on getting an Optima battery but it sucks that I can't use one...at least without doing any 'custom fitting'

Thanks again, but I'm covered now :biggrin: