The battery in my Zuke has finally given up. It was old and crappy anyway. I was thinking of getting an Optima battery, but they are REALLY pricey. What do you use (especially you winch owners)?

Anybody know of an affordable gel cell? If so, where do I get them and will it be a good combo with my winch and accessories?

Optima is worth every penny. Ive had the same battery for almost 5 years and over 200,000 miles. It outlasted my first Tracker and is now running my second.  Just last week I ran the radio (250 watts-10 inch sub) full blast for over 8 hours, I hopped in to leave and it fired up like it just came off the charger. Optima is worth every penny.

Mike

honestly i have a good old fashion die hard and it works pretty good ...... i took a two hr trip wit a 480 watt 10 in sub and sterio full blast wit a set of fog lighst on and it started right up the next day wit out any problems....lol....luckily

I've got an Optima in my Sidekick and I love it.  I can leave lights on for hours, run the stereo all day, etc.  And it's never failed to start the engine.  I just purchased two more that will become a dual battery system for my CJ.

Are you talking about Optima yellow top (deep cycle) or red top (high CCA) batteries?

I ended up buying another Die Hard Ultra. 900 CCA and 1000 CA's, it has the most power for the buck and a 5-year warranty, for $75. I figured that would be just fine. I have an 8000 lb winch as my only real power-sucking upgrade.

Hey you know thats kind of funny, my battery just gave up on me today too.  Whats more funny it that it finally died when I was trying to start my truck at a local 4x4 shop.  I wanted to replace it with a Optima battery, but he didn't have the one with the correct terminals.  Instead, I ended up buying one that was the same size, but put out more amps.  about $80.

Are you talking about Optima yellow top (deep cycle) or red top (high CCA) batteries?

I've got the Red Top in mine.  The Red top can actually handle a large number of fairly deep cycles even tho it's not a deep cycle battery.  Of course, the yellow top can be fully disharged many more times than the red.

I've found that with vehicles heavy with electornics and under powered alternators, like those in stock Sidekicks, and if you don't like to run the motor all the time, get a yellow top.  It'll last longer then the red or blue tops.
I also think that maintenance free batters are always better on the trail, especiall for those off camber climbs.  (No leaky battery fluid)

My 2-bits worth.

~Nate

Well I decided the RedTop wasn't worth the extra $35 and the Yellow top the extra $55 when the one I got had 900 CCA's and a 5-year warranty. Besides, the idea is to not use my winch too often, and I really don't think I will.    If I start needing more battery I may get a red or yellow top for my second battery.

Which brings up another question...

Those of you with kicks, where do you put a second battery? I don't see enough room for a standard-sized second battery under the hood.

Optima is the badest battery on the block.  I have submerged it, rolled it, ran my winch off it.  i couldn't kill it.  its worth it!

OK so what part number of optima do you guys have in your zuks? I checked the optima site and they specify a yellow top group 51.. Any ideas?

  I also have the Optima  Yellow Top, industructable. But in the past I've often used re-cycled power Wheelchair batteries made by MK, or at least sold by MK. They are also deep cycle gel cells, and are sealed. Tons of power, but costly  too. For a wheelchair application, the biggest ones are in the neighborhood of $200+, they're about 80A.  Whenever I change 'em out for a client, I keep the good ones and put them on a battery tender so I always have good batteries for my Tractor or just as a power source.

yellow top

soon to have a red for dual purposes.

I run duals in my sammi. one optima and one napa gell cell

Yellow top Optima and I winch with it too. $$$ but worth it IMHO.