?ÿ
My truck is sad.?????????ÿIt's best friend died this morning. Red Top Optima 34R was manufactured in Dec 2009 and installed in Aug 2010. He was a steady performer for many years until he seemed to stumble a bit last winter. Spring revived him and throughout the summer and fall we thought he might live forever. Alas, it was not to be. Early one frosty morning last week I found him barely clinging to life, almost unable to summon the energy to unlock my door. Since Red Top didn't have a living will I resuscitated him with a shot of juice from a booster box and then gave him several hours of alternator therapy as Mr. Tundra and I drove him around town to all of his favorite places. Red Top bounced back and ended the week all amped-up and excited over the warm forecast for the weekend. I was surprised to find him clinging to life again early this morning. Life saving measures were once again employed and Red Top bounced back just long enough for one last trip to the elementary school. He was pronounced dead at 10:15 a.m. this morning when I had to unlock my door with the key.
The Original (OEM) battery in my 2007 (delivered in October 2006) FJ Cruiser is still doing what it has always done (start the FJ) even on sub-zero days (like a week or so ago). EVERY winter I expect it to die, but it fired up slick as snot again today. 13+ years on an OEM battery is definitely a new record for me.
I probably shouldn't post this...(karma?)
It will probably be DOA next time I turn the key.
Loyal?ÿ?ÿ
Not sure what the OEM's are rated for but the Toyota branded replacements that I saw a few weeks back are listed as 84 month batteries but they're huge and weigh a ton. The 34R was a bit over sized for my 05 Tundra based on its amps but it was a bit narrower, a couple of inches shorter in length, and about an inch shorter in height. The Redtop 35 that I just installed is the correct model based on amps and is even smaller and lighter.
My OEM battery literally exploded at 5.25 yrs. That's the only time I've seen one go bang when the key is turned. The case split and there was acid everywhere. I hosed down the engine compartment and front suspension, then gave everything a liberal coating of baking soda and a second hose down. Must've gotten it all cause I haven't had any corrosion or other acid related failures.
That's why I ended up with an Optima. They're a variation on AGM and just seem to be more stable. It's also the only automotive battery that I've owned that never had to have its terminals cleaned. I installed it and ran it for 9.5 years with zero maintenance.
Enjoyed the story.?ÿ Creative writing is a joy to behold in our straightforward, cut-to-the-chase, 130-character world.?ÿ It is a bit similar to beautiful cursive writing styles that have expired much like your dear friend.
Is it entering Hospice care?
It might spend a few days on a battery minder just to see what will happen but I believe it is just worn out at this point.
Was somehow jinxed by this thread.?ÿ About 6:00 this evening I crawled into the Compass to head towards home..........and the same as nothing happened.?ÿ Pitch black outside and cold.?ÿ Using the smarter-than-me phone as a flashlight allowed the discovery of a corroded terminal.?ÿ A few?ÿ good whacks with a pair of pliers seemed to have brought it to its senses.
Tomorrow morning will start with some annoying dirty work and probably some banged-up knuckles.
Red Top Optima's are the best battery out there IME.
My first Red Top I had lasted 12 years before it gave up to the ghost. Current Red Top is going on 5 years now and still going strong.
Actually, I bought it from my wife when she went to replace it with a Liberty. The Jeep Compass was her selection in 2007 when she went shopping for reliable wheels to get her to work every day. It is nearing 250,000 miles.
Sounds appropriate, doesn't it, for a surveyor to drive a Compass.
I just pictured you in an old pick-em up truck with a John Deer ballcap.
That's pretty darn close. This afternoon I have been driving my 1985 Chevrolet one ton flatbed while pulling a gravity wagon loaded with soybeans while sporting a cap promoting one of the livestock auction facilities within 50 miles of here.
The 1997 GMC flatbed with the big bale spear on it is stuck in the field about 800 feet from my house. Put a new transmission in it a couple of weeks ago. Discovered today that they apparently did not get the four wheel drive reconnected properly. May be an electrical problem, though.
Spent far too long getting the 2007 Compass going again. Grrrrrrrrrrrr. I have no patience with such things.
Sounds appropriate, doesn't it, for a surveyor to drive a Compass.
As long as the left turn blinker is in a "permanent on" position and you have wrap around sunglasses. ?????ÿ
?ÿ
I just pictured you in an old pick-em up truck with a John Deer ballcap.
This is the last time (maybe) I'm gonna post the?ÿreal pic of Cash and Cow on the way to a PLS meeting. It has been authenticated by the National Enquirer.
????
Note the matching beanies.
@flga-pls-2-2
There's nothing quite so exhilarating as a brisk breeze in the brisket area. ???
You want me to pickup a battery and deliver it to your place? There is no way that FJ is going to start after your making a claim like that. Not where you live at -20F.
:shutmouth:
You want me to pickup a battery and deliver it to your place? There is no way that FJ is going to start after your making a claim like that. Not where you live at -20F.
:shutmouth:
I'm going to ride the wave as long as I can. If it makes it through this winter, then it'll probably see 14 years (hell, it might out live me).
I'll be headed to the Geezer Club meeting tomorrow afternoon, so I have my fingers crossed!
🙂
You want me to pickup a battery and deliver it to your place? There is no way that FJ is going to start after your making a claim like that. Not where you live at -20F.
:shutmouth:
Fired up like a champ this afternoon in the driveway, again @ Wally World (Printer ink), and again @ Kate's (Geezer Club Meeting). Home now building a Rueben Sandwich, and deciding on a movie.
Life is good.
🙂
I've got a 1998 dodge, 12 valve cummins. 5 sp manual trans. As cold weather came, it needed batteries. I wound up putting 2 850 cca Batts in it. This translates into 1700 cca. It's starting well now!
All you need with something like that is to leave it at the top of the hill each night, then in the morning release the brake, pop the clutch and drive away. Get one of those 17 youngun's to give you a shove in a pinch if the hill isn't high enough to begin with.
