Also while we are on the topic of draining down batteries all the way, What items can drain a battery?

I went to start my rig after siutting for a day (It had previously sat for 2 weeks and started rioght up)

I don't think I left any of these items on but here are some thoughts:

headlights
dome light
Alarm?
CB?
short somewhere???

Any other suggestions for things to check?

I seem to remember being able to check for a draw on the system by running a multimeter across the terminals. What am I looking for, an ohmage rating? I guess ideally you want 0 ohms, but if there is a draw of lik 1.5ohms I should figure out what it is and fix it, right?

I should probably go trouble shoot that before I drop some coin on an optima.

 

Thats a good idea. I remember when my alternator died, I forgot to replace the connector to the alter from the battery and ran on a 7 year old Diehard for a few days. No night driving, just to work and school. Then when I drove home from a buddy's house, I noticed that my lights where extremely yellow and dim... low and behold I killed the battery when I got home and found that I didnt plug the connector in. Well, after I got a new Optima at pepboys ($90 for a redtop then) I was rocking! Wont make that mistake again...on purpose atleast

 

That sucks, but I'll check that connector, although I believe it to be fine.

 

Update:

About a week after buying a redtop, I finally get an email back from Optima.

They said since I was planning on running more than 400 watts of accessories that they would recommend the yellow top.

Just thought everyone should know that 400 watts is what seems to be there cut-off to jump to the yellow top. Good to know.

 

Just a side note: I replaced the original Panasonic battery that came in my '96 with an Exide Orbital.

Seems pretty much the same as Optima and you can find an occasional sale. I've used mine for about a year and a half and am happy with it. I have some power drain with a 12v fridge plugged in overnight and Hellas. But I've never drained all the way to 'nothin.

Info here:

Mick

 

I think I heard that the Exide Orbital was designed by the people that designed the original optimas. Some even say the quality of optimas have gone down hill, while the orbitals are still REALLY good!

I have no experience with either though.
here is another place to look: Orbital batteries

 

I plan on running: 2 off road lights, a CB, radar detector, Warn winch, a stereo system pushing 1,200-1,500 watts max, and occasionally an air compressor. Im still confused as to what battery would be best. I understand the Yellow top will hold a chrage longer if the truck is not running...BUT what if it is running, will a Red top suit my needs?

 

Anyone? Just want an opinion...

 

Dual batteries might be best, I'm just throwing ideas out here, so discount them if need be. Put in a yellow top to run the winch and accessories when the engine is not running (that way you get the deep cycle) and have a red for when the engine runs. How you wire all that up I have no idea, but I have seen plenty of write ups on dual batteries.

I had a red top in the cruiser, and I had a short that was difficult to chase down, after a few dead battery incidents the thing was toast.

Heat will kill a battery too, here in phoenix a few mechanics have told me you are lucky if you can get two years out of a battery, the heat part is probably true, but I don't know about the two year thing...

I saw those exide knock offs, and I am very tempted..