battery replacement time - Optima Red 35 or Deka 70?

[JetTurbo]

My original equipment Varta 60 ah / 480A battery ( VW # 1J0 915 105 AC )
began failing to hold charge 124,000 miles / 45 months after car was purchased new.

For replacement, I am now debating between an Optima Red 35 or a Deka 70 - 9AGM48 - AGM Battery.

Anyone have any installed or comparison pictures of the Deka AGM battery?
Any experienced comments?

----

I have a dead Optima 35 on hand, so I was able to test fit the Opitma 35.
It is slightly smaller than the stock battery - shorter and narrower, and
although the posts are tiny bit taller than the stock battery,
they still clear the box cover.
The base mates with the hold down clamp just fine.
The position of plus and minus is correct,
the posts are near the right place and the cables connect easily.
The oe blanket fits (loosely) and the stock box cover closes normally.
i.e. Optima Red 35 fits without modification.

Battery size comparsion - oe Varta <-> Optima Red 35

piece of wood used to line up the mounting cleat at the bottom to accurately compare the post position when mounted

installed comparison

Battery removal DIY ...

Loosen the 10mm bolt on the battery connections, remove terminals from battery posts

Locate the hold down 13mm bolt and hold down clamp on the bottom side of the battery, outside the battery box

Use an extension and ratchet to remove hold down bolt and clamp

hold down bolt and clamp removed

Remove battery - I used a battery strap to pull the battery (w/blanket) free

 

[Elwood]

Anyone have any installed or comparison pictures of the Deka AGM battery?
Any experienced comments?

The Deka battery is a little longer than the OEM battery. It still fits, but you can't tuck the fabric insulator tab in the way you can on a smaller battery. You can still use it. It just doesn't overlap itself anymore. Everything else fits fine. Two years and no problems.

 

[carbuyer]

the battery hold down bolt, isnt that just to hold down the plastic battery box itself?
is the actual battery secured? or is it more a matter of it is in the box so it shouldnt move

 

[JetTurbo]

the battery hold down bolt, isnt that just to hold down the plastic battery box itself?

No

...is the actual battery secured?

Yes, absolutely.

... or is it more a matter of it is in the box so it shouldnt move

No, it is not. You can remove the plastic box sides completely and it will still not move.
The plastic box sides are attached to the same box base that the battery clamps onto.
It is more the other way around,
the battery is a solid structure and the box is flexible,
the upper box gains strength from the rigidity of the battery inside it.

The clamp under the bolt holds the base of the battery to the base of the battery box.
The base of the battery box is never unbolted.
The opposite edge of the battery is wedged under hold down parts in the box base too.
The metal plate / clamp provides a bit of adjustment for minor size variations.

I do not have a good picture at the moment of the
slot cut in the base of the box on the hold down side.
The slot allows the battery to be bolted down independent of the outside cover.

 

[BodegaBay]

Jet,

I was curious which battery you chose. I'm in a similar situation and was thinking of using the Yellowtop equiv to the Red D35; I'd like a deep cycle unit for my sound system.

 

[JetTurbo]

Jet,

I was curious which battery you chose. I'm in a similar situation and was thinking of using the Yellowtop equiv to the Red D35; I'd like a deep cycle unit for my sound system.

I chose the Deka 70 - 9AGM48 - AGM Battery.
The 35 series Optima's (both Red and Yellow) don't have the reserve capacity specified by VW for the 2.0T.
The electric fans and coolant pump that run after key off are the most likely reason for the higher reserve rating.

I imagine that is why Optima doesn't list the mk5 2.0T on their applications list.
Just the same, I am sure the Optima will suffice.
It is just that I need to park outdoors overnight in Michigan in January and February,
so I don't want to take chances on marginal reserves.

 

[BodegaBay]

I chose the Deka 70 - 9AGM48 - AGM Battery.
The 35 series Optima's (both Red and Yellow) don't have the reserve capacity specified by VW for the 2.0T.

Thank you JT. As always, I appreciate your informative posts!

 

[eurocars]

our o.e batteries come with a reserve capacity of around 2 hours. i cant imagine that the fans/coolant pump would be running for 2 hours after the car is turned off

 

[JetTurbo]

our o.e batteries come with a reserve capacity of around 2 hours. i cant imagine that the fans/coolant pump would be running for 2 hours after the car is turned off

I agree, in esseence.
But that rating is the time (in minutes) that a lead-acid battery at 80 °F (27 °C)
will continuously deliver 25 amperes before its voltage drops below 10.5 volts.
Assuming that rating is 120 minutes,
at 32 degrees F, typical capacity is reducted by 35 percent (78 min);
at zero degrees F, it is reduced by 60 percent (48 min);
and at minus 20 degrees F, it is reduced by better than 80 percent (24 min).

I don't now about your car, maybe my starter is going too,
but my starter stops engaging before the voltage drops to 10.5 V.

 

[BodegaBay]

Jet,

Did you source yours from Remy? It's a decent unit price but the shipping fee is a steep $37 to west coast.

 

[BodegaBay]

Scratch that last question JT. I just learned that East Penn Manufacturing Co. is the manufacturer and Deka is just one of many private label names it builds for.

My local BatteriesPlus store sells Rayovac car batteries and East Penn private labels for the Rayovac brand. The Deka 70 - 9AGM48 has a equivalent to the Rayovac SLI48AGM. The cost is $150 for this AGM Rayovac battery.


Deka 70 - 9AGM48

Rayovac SLI48AGM

 

[JetTurbo]

update

update: Deka 70 - 9AGM48 - AGM Battery purchased from Remy Dec 2010 - 2 yrs & 70k mi - still going strong :wink:

BTW the battery I bought has been superseded.
Link in post #1 Deka / Remy part # 9AGM48 link takes you to its
replacement, Deka Intimidator 9A48 High Performance AGM Battery

Deka / Remy part # 9AGM48 installed Dec 2010