Optima batteries

[HRC]

The batteries in my 06 have finally had enough. I would like to go with optima red tops as the price difference is not that much. Is there a mounting kit available or do I need to fabricate one?

 

[Tuesdak]

You should look at Odyssey battery or the relabeled Sears Platinum version of it. Optima is coasting along on it's reputation made while it was made in Colorado. Jonson Controls took over, moved the plant to Mexico, and the quality is garbage since. Back in the day the survived air cooled diesel light plants for us and this made their reputation. Not anymore!

Spillproof doesn't mean leak proof. I have had them leak around the posts from cracking and eat cables and the battery tray. They can't take the heat any better than the flooded batteries. I get max of 3 years out of them and simply gave up on them. Not worth the expense, PIA warranty policies, and short life.

The "return to the store you got them from with receipt" warranty BS means the battery you get at Interstate can't be warrantied at other parts stores even though everyone including bob's hot dog stand sells them. No receipt = No Warranty. Yeah you have to find a store that carries that part number and they need approval to exchange it - something the cheap Jonson Controls asshats are not able to do on weekends because no one is working leaving you stranded with their poor quality defective batteries.

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Deka AGM's do not even make it through Consumer Reports heat testing. (Relabeled units shown after failure. Note how badly they swell up.)

 

[GrantP]

The batteries in my 06 have finally had enough. I would like to go with optima red tops as the price difference is not that much. Is there a mounting kit available or do I need to fabricate one?

I have had no problems with Optima and have been using them for a lot of years. I had a yellow top in an old Jeep XJ that went 7 years (in Phoenix heat) and was still good when I sold it. I have two red tops in my 06 now and they come with the adapters you'll need to install them in the trays, no modifications are necessary. Haven't had any issues with the "mexican" batteries. If you have the time, order them from summitracing.com as it will save you about $100 bucks over the local parts stores and last I checked shipping was free.

 

[Ozymandias]

The batteries in my 06 have finally had enough. I would like to go with optima red tops as the price difference is not that much. Is there a mounting kit available or do I need to fabricate one?

Definitely NOT the Red Top - only Yellow Top in a modern Vehicle with the amp draw when parked.

I had once the Red in my GC and after a year it failed, bought Yellow and last since their - 5 years ago.

 

[AH64ID]

I used to be a big Optima fan (had a yellow top for 8+ years that was killed twice to less than 0.5V and came back) but I haven't heard much good from them in 5-6 years and will cast a vote for the Sears P2's.

 

[HRC]

Thanks for the replies I forgot about summit and they are $100 cheaper than carquest. We have used 3 red tops to start a alcohol super stock tractor with no charging system for 3 years with no failure.

 

[Mingoglia]

I was a fan of Optima, then I wasn't a fan either after the quality went down. I switched to Odyssey and really wasn't too impressed. First thing I noticed is you can tell it's mat doesn't absorb the acid as well. When you move it around you can hear it. I then damaged one in a rollover offroad, and the thing shot acid out like I've never seen an Optima do when damaged. I have a pic I posed on here of a pair of shorts with a bunch of holes in it from when I was trying to get it unhooked and it was shooting acid everywhere. Very uncool.

I went back to Optima, and the quality appears to be what I was used to years ago. Take my story for what it's worth, proll nothin'. I provide no warranty on said story.

 

[Tuesdak]

I have had no problems with Optima and have been using them for a lot of years. I had a yellow top in an old Jeep XJ that went 7 years (in Phoenix heat) and was still good when I sold it. I have two red tops in my 06 now and they come with the adapters you'll need to install them in the trays, no modifications are necessary. Haven't had any issues with the "mexican" batteries. If you have the time, order them from summitracing.com as it will save you about $100 bucks over the local parts stores and last I checked shipping was free.

Exactly the situation, ordering online, that makes it near impossible to get warranty when you need it from any local Optima dealer. The online batteries tend to have a different part number than local stores. It can be done, but, not fun and requires a call to JC during a weekday. Interstate is one place that can make this exchange happen.

I will give them a plus for surviving a wreck without a acid bath of everything. Blew the top nearly clean off one when the truck hit an Elk. The pair started the truck at the yard before I bought it back, to make sure the engine still ran. Held a charge for 2 weeks before it dried out. IMO was lucky it didn't short and burn.

 

[Dl5treez]

Optimas aren't what they used to be but still are decent batteries.

Sears has discontinued the Diehard Platinum lineup........had a couple in my boat that needed warranty and they are no longer available. In a pinch, had to go with the Diehard Gold which are also AGM just not as heavy duty as the rebadged Odysseys.

If you can find the Diehard Platinums still in stock in your area, they're a great battery. Odysseys in a gray case. I lost a couple due to a crappy voltage regulator, Sears honored warranty but I had to downgrade to the Diehard Gold.

The Diehards-platinum or gold-will go in a 3rd Gen just fine.