Jump starting questions.

[photo2001]

Just checking out Optima batteries. I think i'm going to get one at sears. Expensive, but what are credit cards for?

 

I can't do any other fixes right now. I'm going to leave the alarm off too.

Come to think of it, every car I've owned, the alarm eventually caused

problems. Even when I was driving every day.

 

Thanks, great suggestions!

 

ps: not using the roof rack for anything...thinking giant solar panel, might

even get the old Forester airborne!

[photo2001]

Re: Optima batteries. Do these require custom installation?

I read somewhere that one type requires drilling a hole in

the battery tray for a bolt and a special hold-down?

Anyone?

[porcupine73]

Nothing special required for an Optima battery. Just tell Sears you want the biggest, meanest one they can cram in there.

 

You might also consider the battery terminal quick disconnect so (if you are able) you can disconnect the battery when the vehicle will sit for long periods of time.

 

The Optima red top is a starting battery; just like any other such battery if it goes dead or into deep drain often it will have a short lifetime.

 

The Optima yellow top is a deep cycle battery. You can completely discharge this battery without having an adverse impact on it's lifetime. The Optima blue top (marine) is also deep cycle.

[1 Lucky Texan]

There is another solution. there is a anti-battery drain electronic switch. it goes between the battery and the terminal. Once the battery drops to specific point, it cuts the power to the system. When it senses a huge load (ie starting the car) it automatically resets. The downside is loosing any radio presets.

 

http://www.prioritystart.com/

 

I have a problem with the cigerette lighter as charger things. battery cable is a 2 gauge i think . the cigar lighter is 16 gauge. 16 gauge can not hold that current. It may work depending upon how low your battery goes.

 

With the remote starter, is it possible for you just to get out of the house once a week to start the car?

 

Some cars are worse, and can drain themselves down in 2 weeks.

 

nipper

 

good find!

 

 

Carl

[Ranger83]

We're going to try the solar charger on our truck.

 

Costco seems to have the best prices on AGM batteries.

 

BTW, a friend of mine in Alaska had the same problem (only sometimes it was overnight!) and resorted to buying a spare battery, which he would lug out in the morning to start his truck.

[photo2001]

Ok, the closest Sears just has offers the red-top Optima battery.

They would have to order it.

 

The local PepBoys has the red and yellow in stock. The yellow-top is

$190 + $6 installation, (used to be able to do all this stuff myself).

My understanding is the yellow-top is the way to go.

 

That's my plan. One question, I saw a device on Pepboys website

called a 'battery minder', but no description. Is this like the device

someone mentioned earlier?

[nipper]

Ok, the closest Sears just has offers the red-top Optima battery.

They would have to order it.

 

The local PepBoys has the red and yellow in stock. The yellow-top is

$190 + $6 installation, (used to be able to do all this stuff myself).

My understanding is the yellow-top is the way to go.

 

That's my plan. One question, I saw a device on Pepboys website

called a 'battery minder', but no description. Is this like the device

someone mentioned earlier?

 

oops my mistake no its not.

 

Youll do best with the one i showed you before.

[porcupine73]

The yellow top will hold up better to deep or total discharges. It may take longer to go dead from sitting than your current battery. However, it will still go dead if it is not getting sufficient recharge such as from the alternator or solar charger.

[montana105]

From what i understand about the battery minders is that you have to have power to it all the time ( extension cord) which may be a big reason why a few people have suggested solar charging for you.The battery minder compensates for any draw off of power during extended periods of non use of the vehicle as you described,many boaters and RV's use them up here during the winter,it's a trickle charger that senses when voltage has dropped to a certain level and then builds it back up. By the way,with your disability,has any modifications been made to the vehicle that would require voltage drain?

John

[photo2001]

From what i understand about the battery minders is that you have to have power to it all the time ( extension cord) which may be a big reason why a few people have suggested solar charging for you.The battery minder compensates for any draw off of power during extended periods of non use of the vehicle as you described,many boaters and RV's use them up here during the winter,it's a trickle charger that senses when voltage has dropped to a certain level and then builds it back up. By the way,with your disability,has any modifications been made to the vehicle that would require voltage drain?

John

 

Nope, no mods. I did have a moonroof installed by the dealer when I got the Forester (in 1999), but nothing else.

 

I am able to drive without problems. It's getting to and

from the car that's difficult. As I mentioned before, no handicapped access in this 50 year old building. What I didn't mention is that the door-persons used to help me and others in and out of the building. Then, last year, the board of the condo ruled that only visually-impaired people would be assisted, for insurance reasons. I then found out

that this is discriminatory and against federal fair-housing laws. I have written to a senator from my state, and he wrote to the President of the fair-housing association, who called me and said he would write a letter to the condo board whenever I'm ready. (there are SOME decent politicians!) I did write a letter to the board myself months ago, not threatening, just asking for the same assistance they provide to other disabled tenants. They blew me off-no reply. I haven't felt well enough to pursue this further..but I will.

 

FILE THIS MESSAGE UNDER: "TOO MUCH INFORMATION" LOL

[montana105]

Although I'm no expert, I think any and all info you can give helps diagnose. As

I mentioned in an earlier post a remote starter or a couple of bucks to an honest neighbor kid might be your best choice,there are still some decent kids out there who won't take off with your car and would appreciate the extra money in their pocket. My mom is my only parent alive now and lives on her own,goes to the grocery store once a month and relies on neighbor kids to do the rest,she won't have it any other way.Once a month I drive 900 miles to take care of things she or they can't,which can build up,and to balance her checkbook,I understand your situation. BTW she drives an all original 1965 Ford Mustang with original clutch,not an easy task for a 65 year old woman,my parents bought it new. Guess my age? I like info.....

John

[photo2001]

Although I'm no expert, I think any and all info you can give helps diagnose. As

I mentioned in an earlier post a remote starter or a couple of bucks to an honest neighbor kid might be your best choice,there are still some decent kids out there who won't take off with your car and would appreciate the extra money in their pocket. My mom is my only parent alive now and lives on her own,goes to the grocery store once a month and relies on neighbor kids to do the rest,she won't have it any other way.Once a month I drive 900 miles to take care of things she or they can't,which can build up,and to balance her checkbook,I understand your situation. BTW she drives an all original 1965 Ford Mustang with original clutch,not an easy task for a 65 year old woman,my parents bought it new. Guess my age? I like info.....

John

 

Thanks again for the recommendations. I'm going to try the Optima battery/keep the car alarm off route for now.

 

I can't guess your age, but in my opinion, you are to be commended for

helping your Mom out as you do.

[johnceggleston]

Thanks again for the recommendations. I'm going to try the Optima battery/keep the car alarm off route for now.

 

I can't guess your age, but in my opinion, you are to be commended for

helping your Mom out as you do.

 

i'm sure you want a solution and given your situation i don't blame you a bit for buying a better battery, but... until you know what is causing the battery drain you may end up with a dead , expensive, and yet still rechargable battery.

 

i would see if leaving the alarm off allows the battery to last any longer before i bought the new battery. you can always go buy one. but what if it diesn't correct the problem. just my .02 worth.

 

i would think a battery disconnect would be best. a switch inside. a relay under the hood with a switch inside would be better. and unless the starter is causing the drain, you don't need to disconnect it. just the power going to the fuse boxes. i'd be willing to bet that something like a 50amp 120V circuit breaker would do the trick. (and with the battery disconnected no one can drive/steal it.)

 

maybe a device that plugs in like a fuse, has a diconnect and a fuse. that would allow you to isolate the problem by moving it around from fuse to fuse.

 

but since you are limited in what you can do yourself, good luck with the battery. hopefully it will give you the more time inbetween starts that you need.

[1 Lucky Texan]

Maybe a mech. could use an ammeter to measure resting current from the battery with alarm on and off. Perhaps there is a 'standard' amount that should be and if you have a parasitic drain it would show. If not, then increased capacity, remote charging or that drain prevention device would seem to be the only options.

[nipper]

There is a std parasitic amount of drain on a battery. But with computers, its normal for the battery to go dead in a month. a Top end car will do it in 2 weeks. Technically there is nothing wrong with the car, aside from it sitting too much. Remeber its not just the alarm. Its also the radio memory, the TCU and the ECU.

 

nipper

[Setright]

When we take delivery of brand new cars at the dealership I work part-time for, there's a fuse or two to install in the engine room before the car will run.

These are left out by the factory to avoid batteries draining on the ship from Japan.

 

Sounds like you should wire in a switch to kill the auxlillary power during parking.

[johnceggleston]

When we take delivery of brand new cars at the dealership I work part-time for, there's a fuse or two to install in the engine room before the car will run.

These are left out by the factory to avoid batteries draining on the ship from Japan.

 

Sounds like you should wire in a switch to kill the auxlillary power during parking.

 

maybe you could ask or check which ones they are. knowing which to isolate would help.

[nipper]

maybe you could ask or check which ones they are. knowing which to isolate would help.

 

Depending upon his handicap, it would be just easier to get the battery isolater and put it in. I can tell from my bad back its not easy to just wire in a switch. I dont think its easy for somone over a x age with a good back. Passing wires through the firewall is not easy (glad i did all mine at once).

 

nipper

[photo2001]

Just looked on Optima's website, and there is no match

of a battery for am 2000 Forester with A/T?

 

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/battery_search/battery_search.html

 

What's up with that? Even the local PepBoys gave me a vague answer

when I called them. Said they'd have to see the battery in my car.

[porcupine73]

Yah I think Optima doesn't make the exact group size for Subaru. But if you know the measurements you can go with I think it is group 34. It's a little longer but I'm pretty sure it'll fit. I bought it but didn't install it yet.

[Setright]

The battery posts aren't all the same size.

[porcupine73]

The battery posts aren't all the same size.

Doh! I guess I might be in for a surpise when I try to install that Optima then. I've just been carrying it as a spare for the last two years.

[johnceggleston]

Doh! I guess I might be in for a surpise when I try to install that Optima then. I've just been carrying it as a spare for the last two years.

 

you better install it, i think cthose cthings have a shelf life.

[porcupine73]

you better install it, i think cthose cthings have a shelf life.

Dude I think you're right. I keep it's charge topped off every couple months. I'm starting to notice slower cranking with my existing battery of unknown age so maybe this is the time to put this sweet yellow top into service!

[photo2001]

Any other companies make deep discharge type

batteries?