Optima Batteries

[JCyrbok]

Anyone out there using the Optima Batteries? Are they worth the money to upgrade to? Which ones do you use, I know they have acouple of different models that will work.



Is there anything different about changing out the batteries in our two battery systems or is it like a regular engine. UNhook. pullout, replace and hook up and go.



Any comments appreciated good or bad.



Thanks

J-

 

[Pit Bull]

J, most 90% use the Red Top. If you type in Optima on the "search" feature you will get a ton of threads discussing the pro's and con's.

 

[Chipstien]

What is funny about Optimas are the number of people that call them "gel cells" when they're not. I personally won't run a regular Optima because they don't have the RC that I am looking for. However, if I could install two group 31 Optimas than I would do it. Anyone installed group 31 batteries in place of the factory batteries. Is there enough room?

 

[RADdodge]

I have the size 34 Optima “Yellow Tops” and they have run great so far. I understand that the size 31 Optima batteries are out now. The “Yellow Tops” are for folks that have a heavy load or where the truck might sit for a while. For daily drivers without a big stereo, ham equipment, aftermarket alarms, etc. , etc. the “Red Tops” are recommended. They are supposed to last longer, charge quicker, not susceptible to leaking acid and can be mounted in any position. The 34 size was smaller than the stock batteries. Also, some have shorted out the cable that runs under the driver’s side battery. The battery is not as tall and the bolts can go through the harness if it’s in the way. I waited a year with the stock batteries when I didn't trust them anymore.

 

[TowPro]

there glass mat batteries.



Personaly for less then the price of 1 Optima, I bought 2 walmart batteries, made by Johnson controls. Plus they have something like a 9 year warrantee, with 3 year free replacment.



I did hear stories about buying Optima 2nd's or blems, I called Optima and they said they have 3 businesses that buy all the blem batteries, and they take as many as they can get when its there turn to buy them, good luck finding one.

Originally posted by Chipstien

What is funny about Optimas are the number of people that call them "gel cells" when they're not. I personally won't run a regular Optima because they don't have the RC that I am looking for. However, if I could install two group 31 Optimas than I would do it. Anyone installed group 31 batteries in place of the factory batteries. Is there enough room?

 

[Chipstien]

I didn't realize that Optimas were made by Johnson controls. I bought two Rv batteries at Costco years ago and they were made by Johnson controls and they were darn near indestructable. They are sitting in a RV with a drain so they are always dead yet they still hold a charge after about 8 years. And that is sitting outside in the dead of winter. Wouldn't get a Exide to do that.

 

[vortech351]

.





quote

DPersonaly for less then the price of 1 Optima, I bought 2 walmart batteries, made by Johnson controls. Plus they have something like a 9 year warrantee, with 3 year free replacment.



johnson controls makes optima too!!: i work there we make more brands than you think

 

[tntway]

i wouldn't take an exide if it was given to me

the oem battery on my '97 1500 was an EXIDE..... it barely lasted 2 years.

 

[Camara]

I just put 2 Optima Red Tops in my truck Sunday. Of the 2 original batteries one lasted about 2 years. Under warranty? NO!

Dealer put in new one. $152. 00 Second has been dying for a while. The eye finally was black. Finally broke down and put 2 new ones. Were not that much more than Die Hards.

 

[Patriot Diesel]

NEW DieHard Truck Battery...

My OEM batteries are approximately 3 1/2 years old and I just did not trust them anymore... felt it was time to replace them.



I have heard a lot of good about the Optima Red Tops but thought they were rather expensive. The cheapest I could find them for locally was $129 each. The other thing I wasn't to happy about was the fact that the length of the warranty on the Optima is cut in half when used in a diesel application. I read this on their website.



I have always had great luck with Sears DieHard Batteries. I was about to buy a pair of the DieHard Gold 750cca's when I discovered a new battery they are now selling. It is a DieHard Truck Battery Group 34/78 (side and top terminals) with 900CCA's, 3 year free replacment and 100 month prorated replacement. They were on sale (5$ off) and I had a 10% coupon so I got them for approximately $75 each, normal price is $89.



That was the best deal I could find on a battery I could trust.



Jeff



OPTIMA WARRANTY

 

[Pit Bull]

Jeff, I think you are right. There is a balance between price and performance. Optima would be my choice if I did a lot of off road driving that might damage the battery and I am sure there are other severe conditions that the technology that goes into the Optima would be cost justifiable. I lean toward Interstate batteries, they are also made by Johnson Controls and have a excellent reputation. I was going to have to get two new batteries in my 2000 within a year so I did a lot of research and for my needs the Interstate would of been the most cost effective choice (bang for the buck). But the Optima's technology was still pulling at me. Probably would of come down to how much money I had in my pocket when the time came to buy

 

[Camara]

Yeah they were a little expensive ($119 ea) and I have not heard anything negative about them. I do a lot of off road driving on construction sites and landfills, and plowing city streets in Boston so my truck is subject to a lot of shock and I decided that I did not want wet battery trays and the related problems associated with acid spilling or broken battery cases.

 

[JR2]

I got a couple red tops from a buddy that has a battery business. . he gets them from another guy who handles all the military return batts. Paid $25 each for em... and they are like new. Before he sold them to me he load tested them to 1200 amps and they held solid. I am headded into my first winter with them and will let you know how they hold up.



JR2

 

[LSMITH]

I bought Red Tops in the beginning of last winter, my OEM batteries were still doing fine but I misdiagnosed a problem causing me to replace them. Shortly after I got them the truck sat for 5 days in weather from a high of about 20* and lows in the -10* range. I went out and cycled the grid heaters 3 times, shut the key off and went back in the house. I did this 2 more times over about 3 hours. I finally went out and cylced the heaters once, and cranked it. They did great. If they will take that many cycles of the heater with no charge in sub zero temps and still crank it over like it was warm with 15W-40 in the sump the reserve capacity is PLENTY for me. The 750CCA Red Top X2 is plenty of battery short of true arctic conditions.



I got mine at $89 each for first quality on a sale another member was kind enough to point out to me. $125 each is crazy, I could put TWO conventional batteries of good quality in for the price of one!! I really like the batteries and never worrying about water levels, mounting positions, or leakage but they are not worhth $120+ each. If you can get them under $100 each go for it.



The die hards mentioned above sound like a GREAT deal, I have had great luck with die hard batteries.

 

[radar doctor]

More Battery Info.

For what it's worth, I got hooked on those Red Tops as a friend who runs a Car Quest store told me about a Red Top he had in a old Farm Truck and after 10 years its still performing. I have two yellow tops in My Ranger Boat and Two Red Tops in my Dodge... So Far So Good , I'll return in 10 Years and let you know how they came out .....

 

[JSmith]

I calle d Optima and the Red Top is what Optime recommended.

 

[JohnE]

Does anyone running an Espar also have Optima Red Tops?



An Espar will really beat up your batteries if the Reserve Capacity (RC) is not there.



-John

 

[BRobertson]

I have the Espar and Redtops.

Two 2 hour cycles is no problem on mine!!

Bob

 

[wcjp]

My Jeep would constantly go through lead acid batteries. I'm running an Optima Yellowtop. The Yellowtop is the only battery that could deal with constant draining to zero and long pulls from my winch.



The previous owner of my CTD had just purchased new lead acid batteries from NAPA. When they die I'll convert to Optima.

 

[illflem]

What really sold me on Optimas was the six year old battery in a buddie's Lincoln welder. The battery was dropped in freezing weather when new and the entire bottom half of case shattered and is gone. Didn't seem to make a bit of difference.