Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Optima Battery Install

[Fatboy]

I just swapped out my 2000 Mopar 60 month batteries for a pair of group 34/78 red optimas. For those using optimas what kind of hold down system are you using?



Thanks,

Steve

 

[LVJUNIOR]

I use the factory holdown on mine.

 

[biggy238]

Factory hold down with the included spacer supplied with my optimas. Don't know what group mine are.

 

[HPSimpson]

I used the stock factory hold downs, just make sure you tighten both evenly

 

[CumminsPower98]

Stock hold down on driver side and one I built on the passenger, which holds my bypass oil filter. If you don't have the spacers you need to consider cutting at least one of the bolts off as it can go down into a wire harness on the driver side and possibly cause problems.

 

[Matt42]

Factory hold down. I cut off about 3/8 inch from the ends and cleaned the threads to prevent damage to any underlying electrical connections or wires.

Footnote, not meaning to hijack the thread or rain on your parade. I am a former Optima user. I have just returned three of then at less than two years for full refunds, because they gave out. I never had a problem with an Optima--and I used many over the years--until Johnson Controls moved their manufacturing to Mexico. Then like magic, my experience turned bad. Maybe it's the Arizona heat, and the Massachusetts cold won't be an issue. I have a $50 Checker-Schucks-Kragen battery of the same exact age that's going strong (in one of the PTs) but the the $150 Mexican Optima Red Top in the other PT gave out. I've replaced the Red Tops in my truck with Dekka yellow tops, made in the USA. Time will tell on those.

I hope your experience will vary and that I just got three bad ones. I really liked those Optimas!

 

[CumminsPower98]

My first set lasted about 4 years 10 months. They were run nearly flat twice and run down some quite a bit when I was driving OTR and running my laptop. My current set are now right at 4 years old and are going strong so far. They too have been run pretty low at least twice (due to some add-ons I didn't realize were drawing so much). I really like them mainly because they are sealed so no mess at all. I never have to clean my battery terminals. I hope this set will last longer than the first ones did as I really wasn't expecting them to die that soon.

 

[Matt42]

I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Do yourself a favor. Check to see if they have a tiny sticker on the top or on the sides that says made in Mexico. Early Mexican-made Red Tops will still have Made in USA embossed in the plastic. Also, if they are made in or later than 10/2007, they are probably made in a Mexican factory. If so, don't let yourself get into a terribly remote area alone with Mexican made Optimas.

I had similar experiences to yours with my earlier sets, which were just the best batteries I ever had. I bought Optimas so I could go into remote areas. To find that advantage gone is annoying.

 

[hsmith]

I decided to go with Odyssey's couple of years ago. No problems so far.

 

[wcjp]

I'm curious why no one is using Yellow Tops. I've drained the Yellow Top to zero in my Jeep 40-50 times over 6yrs. It finally died 2months ago.

 

[Hammer]

I have had the Red Tops in for about 2 years now and love them.

I have them tied down with the factory hold downs as when I did the install geno's was out of the nice ones. (I still think the billet hold downs are out of stock). I did not cut anything off of the factory bolt length at all. I placed the battery height extensions under them and used the side adapters to level the hold down out and just tightened them down. They have been that way ever since and I have had no issues at all.



Why do we not use the Yellow Tops???...

Using a deep cycle battery and never allowing it to go dead will shorten its life span. The Optima rep who I met at a show a few years ago when I did mine was the one who sold me the batteries and told me what to install... ... . Andy



P. S. -Here is a link showing mine installed from last year.....

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[Matt42]

I decided to go with Odyssey's couple of years ago. No problems so far.

I'd have gone with the Odyssey batteries except that in this market, they were about $100 apiece more than the Dekka batteries. Don't know yet if I made the right decision.

I'm curious why no one is using Yellow Tops. I've drained the Yellow Top to zero in my Jeep 40-50 times over 6yrs. It finally died 2months ago.

If I recall correctly, the Optima Blue Tops are those designed strictly for deep cycle use. I fried one by keeping it float charged, even at the right voltage. The Yellow Tops can be used for combination deep cycle and starting. I use a lug terminal yellow top on a piece of industrial equipment that starts an Onan Marquis generator and also operates a 12 volt hoist. Charging is done by a solid state battery charger, since the generator does not have a 12 volt system. It sits idle for months to years, then gets hard use. During non-use time, the battery gets a float charge with a "Battery Tender" brand float charger, and when the generator is running, thru the main charger. The generator is frequently difficult to start after sitting unused, though all gasoline used gets Stabil added. Our last Yellow Top lasted ten years. I replaced it just to be safe. Our new one appears to be US made. If it lasts ten years, I'll be retired before it gives out.



Seriously, I really hope that I just got three bad Optimas in a row. I am not confident, though, since I have heard the same bad experiences from colleagues with Mexican-made Optimas. Save five bucks per unit, lose customers. Sounds like a Harvard MBA idea to me!:-laf

 

[Missouri Mule]

My first set of Red tops lasted 5 1/2 years. I'm on my second set now.



When I bought my first set at Interstate Battery they gave me two trays that the batteries fit into. I used the factory battery holddowns.

No problems with holddown screws messing up wires below.

 

[Matt42]

My first set of Red tops lasted 5 1/2 years. I'm on my second set now.



When I bought my first set at Interstate Battery they gave me two trays that the batteries fit into. I used the factory battery holddowns.

No problems with holddown screws messing up wires below.

My first Optima red tops were just the batteries. That was before they came with adapters. My second set came with adapters, but I had cut the bolts already.