What battery is best to use in the trunk of the spider?

[azygoustoyou]

I'm searching for a battery for the 124 and I'm finding several different opinions. I want one that won't leak since it will be in the trunk. So I'm guessing a gel batteries would be the best. I was also told to buy a deep cell battery. I have a battery tender and was planning on using it on the battery.
I found that the Optima may be a good choice. I read that you can't just throw any charger on the Optima. I noticed Amazon is the cheapest but found out that the warranty is almost void due to Optima won't cover batteries bought from Amazon and you can't return the battery to them. I found that Sam's club now sells the Duracell AGM batteries. They use to sell Optima's. But I don't think it will fit in the car. They said our cars take a group 25 or 34 battery and couldn't find an AGM battery in that class.
After a two day search and tired of looking, I would appreciate your knowledge and help to resolve this decision. What battery to buy?

[WYSpider]

You might need to buy a Battery Tender specific for gel batteries.

I ended up just buying a Walmart battery. Had it for almost a year and have my Battery Tender Jr. on it whenever I'm not driving. No problems yet.

For my Accord I run a NAPA Legend 75. With 675 CCA and 850 CA it is great for bitterly cold WY winters.

[wikkid]

I'm not sure it's worth the hassle to get a gel, or glass-mat battery. Your typical sealed battery from Wally, NAPA, or wherever should be fine, and then a regular battery tender will do what you need to keep it topped up.

[azygoustoyou]

Regular batteries put off and odor. I definitely don't want the odor. That was another reason for the gel battery.

[WYSpider]

Put a box of moth balls in the trunk. That will definitely cover any smells coming from the battery and gas tank.

[manoa matt]

You will not notice the "battery smell" (hydrogen gas) over the overwhelming gas fumes from the tank and vent. I've got some generic liquid electrolyte battery that was in the car when I bought it in 2006, and its likely several years older than that. NEVER had a problem with it. I clean the terminals/apply battery terminal protectant and check the fluid levels every year and have not had to top it up once. Starts on the first crank every time even with that heavy stock starter. Course it doesn't get "cold" here, cold here is about 68 deg. A properly working alternator and a good negative terminal grounding cable will prolong the life of the battery longer than the recommended replacement interval and reduce the off gassing.

[WYSpider]

If you are opposed to a wet battery then get an AGM. BMW puts them in the trunks of their M5 series cars.

[majicwrench]

I vote for a standard battery. One note, any battery made by Exide (like NAPA) are going to gas more than some other brands.
Carquest sells a good battery.

[WYSpider]

Here's a blurb from Consumer Reports FWIW:

Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries. Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names.

Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models.

Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries.

Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts.

[bobplyler]

I've always used a generic lead-acid battery. No fancy gel or anything else.

[azygoustoyou]

Thanks so much for all the responses. I have an old interstate here. Maybe I'll get one of those. The one in my wife's car lasted about 6 years.

[124JOE]

interstate makes a great batt mine was used and lasted 7 years in my car

[htchevyii]

I'm a firm believer in the AGM or gell cell batteries for trunk mounted applications. Sure, the standard flooded batteries are cheap and reliable, but they give off corrosive gasses. I have several cars that have no rust anywhere, except around the battery and in fact the only rust on my Spider is inside the battery compartment in the trunk. That's also why the Prius, Miata and I'm sure others use AGM batterys from the factory for trunk mounted batterys, (I only know of these two, because I work @ the dealership). If I can spent a few extra bucks to protect my car, it's worth it to me.
Here's the X S Power battery in my '82. It's small, but has never had a problem cranking the engine over faster than ever, even after sitting for months. I bought it from Summit Racing.

[DocGraphics]

Sweet mount!

[Daniel]

Nice looking mount Trey !