I have a 2000 gmc Safari van that I have owned and driven for 7 years. Every
year I have to replace the battery when it gets cold out. Last year I decided
to try an Optima , at about the one year mark the van wouldnt start. I
purchased a solar charger from Harbor Freight.......it sticks on the dash board
and plugs into cigarette lighter. Things have been going better now, always
starts up and the little charger was only 20 bucks. As far as Optima batteries
being better , I think the proofs in the pudding.......it didnt perform any
better than the walmart battery. A guy my dad works with at boeing told me to
buy a desulfanator and wire it into the battery .....this will bust up the
sulfer bubbles and allow the battery to last many years......I had my dad
install one and Im waiting to see the results of that. I believe the problems
with batteries and wheelchair vans stem from 2 main reasons......the first is
that most arent driven daily.......and the
second is most people are running the lifts and accessories with engine off.
Always try to get engine running first if possible b4 running the power
accessories.
Ron c7
