which battery is the best for non-frequent usage

gpx123 · 12-15-2020, 12:02 AM

Hey guys, quick question - I use my 2014 370z probably like once every 2 weeks, which battery would you say would be best for holding a charge?

I use to have the optima yellow top and that one was pretty great overall not many issues, but recently I had to get it replaced and got an optima red top instead and it SUCKS for in frequent usage lol.. end up needing to boost it all the time

Should I get the optima yellow top again or is there a better brand? Thanks so much for the help, appreciate you guys!

viiv · 12-15-2020, 04:29 AM

Lithium! That's what I have in my Z.

POS VETT · 12-15-2020, 06:20 AM

With such a frequency, a Z34 shouldn't need a boost when driven enough to recharge the battery properly. Does the car have an aftermarket electronic device/equipment installed?

If I were you, I would get a cheap float charger to keep the battery healthy; then, it doesn't matter what kind of battery is in the car. Most float chargers also have the capability of resurrecting a battery considered dead.

Zingston · 12-15-2020, 08:25 AM

If I know I'll not be driving my Z for a while, I use a Battery Tender to keep the battery charged. Simple, works great.

This one:
https://www.autobarn.net/battery-tender-plus.html

Rusty · 12-15-2020, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zingston

If I know I'll not be driving my Z for a while, I use a Battery Tender to keep the battery charged. Simple, works great.

This one:
https://www.autobarn.net/battery-tender-plus.html

SouthArk370Z · 12-15-2020, 10:16 AM

As mentioned above, a battery tender may be your best option.

crazy4oldcars · 12-15-2020, 12:55 PM

Another vote for a float charger. Even an expensive one is cheap compared to an Optima. You can also wire a pigtail to the battery so all you have to do is plug it in when you park it.

Kirk B.

-ZS-Carpenter · 12-15-2020, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy4oldcars

Another vote for a float charger. Even an expensive one is cheap compared to an Optima. You can also wire a pigtail to the battery so all you have to do is plug it in when you park it.

Kirk B.

The battery tenders i got came with a pigtail

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

crazy4oldcars · 12-15-2020, 01:37 PM

Mine came with 2. One with screw eyes and one with alligator clamps.
Since I use mine to maintain my kayak battery, I bought a SAE connector with a weather cover to mount on the battery box.
(I was trying to add value to my post, rather than just "me, too" it, lol.)
Bacon.

Kirk B.

viiv · 12-15-2020, 03:28 PM

Lol, I don't mess with battery tenders. On my 370Z, started right up after 5 months winter storage.

Now my motorcycle which also has a lithium, I left it for 16 months because I completely ignored it the summer of 2019 when I got my brand new 2020 Z.

It started right up first time April 2020 after having put it away October of 2018.

Spooler · 12-15-2020, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viiv

Lol, I don't mess with battery tenders. On my 370Z, started right up after 5 months winter storage.

Now my motorcycle which also has a lithium, I left it for 16 months because I completely ignored it the summer of 2019 when I got my brand new 2020 Z.

It started right up first time April 2020 after having put it away October of 2018.

With a new battery, yeah. Over time it will take it's toll. A tender will keep the battery in good working order for a long long time.

crazy4oldcars · 12-15-2020, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooler

With a new battery, yeah. Over time it will take it's toll. A tender will keep the battery in good working order for a long long time.

My kayak battery is a 10ah sealed lead acid deer feeder battery and is going on 4 years old and still strong. I bought the battery tender after I forgot about, and couldn't resuscitate, it's predecessor.
My Z is my daily driver, and, after 4 years, I'm close to having to replace the OEM battery in it. Since I don't have any special needs for it, I will probably replace it with one from O'Reilly's or Advanced, since they're right there in town.

Kirk B.

2011 Nismo#91 · 12-15-2020, 04:18 PM

Often I go weeks with out driving my car especially in the winter. I never had an issue starting. I use a Optima Yellow.

Spooler · 12-15-2020, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy4oldcars

My kayak battery is a 10ah sealed lead acid deer feeder battery and is going on 4 years old and still strong. I bought the battery tender after I forgot about, and couldn't resuscitate, it's predecessor.
My Z is my daily driver, and, after 4 years, I'm close to having to replace the OEM battery in it. Since I don't have any special needs for it, I will probably replace it with one from O'Reilly's or Advanced, since they're right there in town.

Kirk B.

WOW, my factory battery lasted 7 yrs. Just make sure you keep an eye on the acid level and add distilled water when needed to the proper level.

gpx123 · 12-15-2020, 05:04 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions guys really appreciate it! So few things, where I live in NYC I have to pay for parking in my building and my parking spot doesn't have access to any type of outlets unfortunately. So I don't think a float charger would work for my situation

Seems besides that the biggest recommendations were Lithium or Yellow Top Optimum, which do you guys think would be best for an infrequent driver and any specific brands?

Also wonder what I can do with this crappy red top optima one lol.. they only let me return it for another red top >.<

12-15-2020, 12:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
gpx123 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: NY Posts: 54 Drives: 2014 370z Rep Power: 12	which battery is the best for non-frequent usage Hey guys, quick question - I use my 2014 370z probably like once every 2 weeks, which battery would you say would be best for holding a charge? I use to have the optima yellow top and that one was pretty great overall not many issues, but recently I had to get it replaced and got an optima red top instead and it SUCKS for in frequent usage lol.. end up needing to boost it all the time Should I get the optima yellow top again or is there a better brand? Thanks so much for the help, appreciate you guys!

12-15-2020, 06:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
POS VETT Track Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 612 Drives: Z34\|C4LT4\|C6Z06\|V25 Rep Power: 3366	With such a frequency, a Z34 shouldn't need a boost when driven enough to recharge the battery properly. Does the car have an aftermarket electronic device/equipment installed? If I were you, I would get a cheap float charger to keep the battery healthy; then, it doesn't matter what kind of battery is in the car. Most float chargers also have the capability of resurrecting a battery considered dead. SouthArk370Z, Rusty, wanker and 3 others like this.

12-15-2020, 08:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zingston A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 4,028 Drives: like it's a rental. Rep Power: 2684370	If I know I'll not be driving my Z for a while, I use a Battery Tender to keep the battery charged. Simple, works great. This one: https://www.autobarn.net/battery-tender-plus.html SouthArk370Z, Rusty, jchammond and 1 others like this.

12-15-2020, 10:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	As mentioned above, a battery tender may be your best option. Rusty, Spooler, jchammond and 2 others like this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

12-15-2020, 12:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
crazy4oldcars Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Texas Posts: 448 Drives: '16 Nismo Tech Rep Power: 28413	Another vote for a float charger. Even an expensive one is cheap compared to an Optima. You can also wire a pigtail to the battery so all you have to do is plug it in when you park it. Kirk B. jchammond and -ZS-Carpenter like this.

12-15-2020, 04:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
viiv Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Montreal Posts: 294 Drives: 20 Nissan 370Z PR M6 Rep Power: 34016	Lithium! That's what I have in my Z.

12-15-2020, 01:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
crazy4oldcars Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Texas Posts: 448 Drives: '16 Nismo Tech Rep Power: 28413	Mine came with 2. One with screw eyes and one with alligator clamps. Since I use mine to maintain my kayak battery, I bought a SAE connector with a weather cover to mount on the battery box. (I was trying to add value to my post, rather than just "me, too" it, lol.) Bacon. Kirk B. JARblue and -ZS-Carpenter like this.

12-15-2020, 03:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
viiv Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Montreal Posts: 294 Drives: 20 Nissan 370Z PR M6 Rep Power: 34016	Lol, I don't mess with battery tenders. On my 370Z, started right up after 5 months winter storage. Now my motorcycle which also has a lithium, I left it for 16 months because I completely ignored it the summer of 2019 when I got my brand new 2020 Z. It started right up first time April 2020 after having put it away October of 2018. Last edited by viiv; 12-15-2020 at 03:33 PM.

12-15-2020, 04:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,400 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 40569	Often I go weeks with out driving my car especially in the winter. I never had an issue starting. I use a Optima Yellow. jchammond likes this. __________________ GTR TT 493Whp/431lbft, Ecutek, Southbend 6puck,Quaife, RPM RollBar 4Point, R888R, JRZ RSPro F(10R/10C) R(10R/6C) 1000f500r inlbs+150inlbs Tender, SPL everywhere.Full Specs

12-15-2020, 05:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
gpx123 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: NY Posts: 54 Drives: 2014 370z Rep Power: 12	Thanks for all the suggestions guys really appreciate it! So few things, where I live in NYC I have to pay for parking in my building and my parking spot doesn't have access to any type of outlets unfortunately. So I don't think a float charger would work for my situation Seems besides that the biggest recommendations were Lithium or Yellow Top Optimum, which do you guys think would be best for an infrequent driver and any specific brands? Also wonder what I can do with this crappy red top optima one lol.. they only let me return it for another red top >.<

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