I’ve had this Optima charger/maintainer for a few years now and love it for the Shelby, f350 diesel and optima bluetop I use in my race trailer.
Ford OEM replacement, 96R, $129.95 + Tax, in stock.
Ford OEM replacement, 96R, $129.95 + Tax, in stock.
This is what I went with.
I wanted to get some sort of lightweight race battery (AGM or lithium polymer) but after researching the best tried and true option for the price was the Ford 96R battery.
There may be others out there, but I have not found them yet.......the battery companies with a 100 month warranty. Most likely, especially if you live in a southern/hot state, you will not get 100 months out of your battery. So if the battery only lasts 60, 72, 84 months, why not get a little bit of $$ prorate discount toward the new warranty replacement battery, and it will be another 100 month. <<But with that battery the prorate will be different since it is a warranty replacement.
Also, for those who are not aware, the original Ford Assy. Line Motorcraft 96R battery back in the earlier days 2007, 2008, 2009? was 500CCA. Ford has increase the 96R, I think it is now closer to 550CCA?
R
I went OEM. I wanted to keep everything original looking. OEM battery is fairly light weight.Well, took the battery tender off to take her out of hibernation and it read 1.74 volts on the multimeter. Put it on the charger and it's up to ~9 volts an hour or so later. Looks like it's time for a new battery to replace the original. Assume an OEM replacement is the best bet? Best place to get then would be the local Ford dealer and not O'reilly's, Advanced Auto, etc? Was looking forward to finally taking her out of winter storage, but I knew it was sooner than later with the original battery. TIA.
Kel
Yea the heat I am sure is what cut the life on mine to 3 years, almost exactly. I also had some corrosion on the + terminal and the heat and corrosion ate up the battery blanket, so I had to replace that as well.
That is another thing that is over looked, the heat insulator blanket. Many of the aftermarket batteries are not the same size as the oem, the heat blanket is made to fit the oem size battery, in fact it fits tightly. Ford did not spend R&R time and money and add a battery heat insulator blanket on these cars for nothing, it is there for a purpose, to help shield hot engine/exhaust manifold heat from the battery plastic case, so not re-installing the blanket will not help for a long life battery.
The battery blanket is not there to keep the battery warm in the winter.
R
There may be others out there, but I have not found them yet.......the battery companies with a 100 month warranty. Most likely, especially if you live in a southern/hot state, you will not get 100 months out of your battery. So if the battery only lasts 60, 72, 84 months, why not get a little bit of $$ prorate discount toward the new warranty replacement battery, and it will be another 100 month. <<But with that battery the prorate will be different since it is a warranty replacement.
Also, for those who are not aware, the original Ford Assy. Line Motorcraft 96R battery back in the earlier days 2007, 2008, 2009? was 500CCA. Ford has increase the 96R, I think it is now closer to 550CCA?
R
Antigravity - other forum debate
I’m not an ambassador of antigravity - genuinely just looking into this as an option for my car. It seems to be pretty new tech. The guys on the 6G forum are looking deep into it but with the battery management systems on the S550 they’re running into a few challenges
Looks like a good option for the S197 though with very little downside - if any. Loads of tech info here
Just ordered Antigravity ATX-30 Lithium Battery
Popped into the forum and I’m going through the same decision process!! 6yo battery and it’s pretty much done
In my research I found a company that does Lion batteries - specifically the Antigravity battery. This battery is around 6lbs versus the 30lbs bruiser that’s in the car from factory. Yes, it’s expensive - around $400-$500. But as a weight saving upgrade much cheaper than a new hood or other method to save front end weight
Cranking amps higher than stock too
Our cars are heavy and I reckon the option to reduce weight and replace the battery at the same time is good
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The CCA on the factory gt500 battery should be 590CCA
What is the warranty on the Lions battery? For that kind of money it would take many years to equal $125 spent for a 100 month prorated Motorcraft battery.
I do agree that the weight savings is good, but if you have to buy it over and over (as is the case with a battery in a cars life), at that kind of cost..............Not such a great way to save weight.
R
The battery blanket in mine is falling apart. So it wont be there much longer.
The original blanket in my 14 started falling apart after about 3 years. It was a piece of junk and was disposed.
Tom