What is the correct or recommended battery for a European spec S4 (that is one without aircon). The reason for my question is that over the years I have bought batteries for the car and each time the spec has been different. When I asked why, I have been told that this one is the correct spec! I have had a problem with battery drainage due to little use (about 3000 miles a year). Despite regarding anything to do with Alfa electrics as a black art, I believe the cause to be the immobiliser and a faulty stop light switch. Now that this seems sorted I am looking to replace the local store cheap battery with something that does not need topping up and more attention than the car! Any thoughts welcome and thanks as always.
When I go to the Optima site that asks for the make/model/year info, it comes up no matches for the S4 Spider. My computer, or did they sell the last one.
Yor best bet is to call them - the website lags the manufacturing reality...
( but my bet is 75/25 ) here is what they say for a Series 4 ( as defined by year )
ALFA ROMEO
All Models
1994-1991 Factory installed <--- This makes it a Series 4, I suspect ( although, I believe it is called for in almost any/all Alfa application...
Alternative Selections:
Part Number: RED75/35
CCA: 720
Model Name: Optima
Battery Group Size: 75DTO
They don't make the 75/35 any longer - and my fone call garnered that the 75/35 is the same as the 75/25 [ currently at any rate.. ]
Differing numbering systems aside, it's a darn good battery to put into your trunk ( boot ).
Optima Batteries, Inc.
Attn: Customer Service
17500 E. 22nd Avenue
Aurora, CO 80011
All my toys (Lawn Tractor, Motorcycle, and Alfa) are plugged in to a Battery Maintainer/Minder/Tender whenever they're parked. I use the BatteryTender, but many other such products exist--Never had a battery failure and the batteries last a lot longer!
And, as for a discharge, check that your auxilliary lighting turns off when it is supposed to. The hood, trunk, glove box, and foot area all have lights that can accidently remain on if the switch doesn't close properly. You may even opt to remove the bulbs if you don't find you don't need them.
Doors, yes, but IIRC the glovebox, under hood and trunk lights won't actually come un unless the parking lights are on too. (or mabe my S3 is just screwed up or different than an S4 :shrug: )
As Tifosi said, the lights in the boot (Trunk) bonnet (Hood) do not operate unless the sidelights are on. I always thought it was just my S4 so I kept quiet!!!! As for the glovebox....no light at all! Mine is a right hand conversion from European spec so they did not bother! I agree that the footwell lights can be knocked on and drain the battery. Been there and done it.
From the replies it looks like its got to be an OPTIMA.....Thanks
To be honest, I just walked into one of the local parts stores that had Optimas on the shelf, pointed, and said 'gimme that one'. (Alfa batteries are pretty close to the 'common' size automotive battery to begin with)
There was no isue with it fitting, other than the little angle plate lip thing that holds the back edge of the factory battery.
The Optima has that lip too, but the ends of the angle plate were just a shade closer to being able to dig into the outermost cells on the '6 pack', so I got a little creative and ground them back to a slightly more battery freindly profile.
Regular clamps/mounts/cables and cover all fit without a hitch otherwise.
As to usability of one vs the other. Dunno.
I can say that I drive mine almost daily in the summer, and when winter came and the car came off the road, the battery went in the basement until 4 days ago (around 6 months with no trickle or anything. Just a battery on a wooden shelf) and needed absolutely no boost or charge, (I did a voltage test to see where it was at, because I was honestly curious), when I put it back in.
I don't have any kind of audio equiptment, (not even an ipod or a cup holder to put it in ) high intensity lighting nor even that girly neon underbody crap that would require any deep cycle/engine off usage.
I know you just walked in and pulled it off the shelf. However, I've never been so fortunate. Do you know the nomenclature/model or whatever they refer to it as?
I don't know if it's "The Choice", but I got a redtop for my '91 ~2 years ago during a sale at Amazon. I've been very satisfied with it. Performs as expected, even though the car is sporadically used.
There was a 2-year old acid battery in the car when I purchased it, but the P.O. said it would get drained if it sat for 2-3 weeks. Haven't had that problem since I installed the Optima.
I've used Optimas in the past. They're okay: was not convinced they were really worth the extra money so I went back to standard lead-acid batteries, and I just replace them every five years on a schedule.
Optimas are nice in that there's no risk of acid leakage. They are significantly less tolerant of deep discharge than traditional batteries, however.
That's my story as well all the way. Last one I had I neglected to plug in my Battery Tender and left it for a couple of months and that was all she wrote for a 6-month old $250 battery. My fault, to be sure, but I replaced it with a $125 lead-acid battery and called it good.
Interstate does not manufacture lead/acid batteries. They are a warehouse/marketing business that sells batteries manufactured by regular battery makers like East Penn, Johnson Controls and Yuasa Battery. They sell a very good quality product, but do not make it.
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