2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Optima Red Top Battery Life

[Matt42]

Not sure if this belongs in this section, or in Products & Accessories. But my truck is a Gen 2 (not like the penguin), so here goes.



I got 66 months out of a set of Optima Red Top batteries. They started getting weak about a month before they gave up. It's been 22 years since I've lived someplace where a failing battery isn't like an "off" switch, so I didn't recognize the signs. (By an "off" switch, I mean that the battery works fine one moment, and is thoroughly dead the next. This usually occurs at the worst possible time, like when it's 115F outside and I've just bought $400 of frozen food. )



The heat here kills most batteries. The best I have ever done with a non-Optima is 20 months, and that's with a 72 month pro-rata battery.



Woo-hoo! (I know 66 months is no big deal to most owners, but it's great for me. ) :-laf

 

[bmoeller]

Got 5yrs out of mine. Hot summers and cold winters and all. With all of the short trip crap I do, I think that's pretty good.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Got 5yrs out of mine. Hot summers and cold winters and all. With all of the short trip crap I do, I think that's pretty good.

I got 5 years outta my OEM batteries that came with the truck - only changed them because we RV in remote areas, and didn't want to take chances. Still have the originals, keep them charged up and maintained for other mundane uses around the place...

 

[Matt42]

I got 5 years outta my OEM batteries that came with the truck - only changed them because we RV in remote areas, and didn't want to take chances. Still have the originals, keep them charged up and maintained for other mundane uses around the place...

Wowzers! I got 14 months out of the OEMs.

 

[drag racer]

Put a set of Red Tops in after the OEM's failed at 3 yrs - I am now at 5+ years later in the AZ desert and no signs of slowing yet . Optima is the only battery I use in all my vehicles.

 

[24V-DSL]

Installed 7-01, 178K ago... ... ... ... .

 

[bmoeller]

I got 5 years outta my OEM batteries that came with the truck - only changed them because we RV in remote areas, and didn't want to take chances. Still have the originals, keep them charged up and maintained for other mundane uses around the place...

That's pretty good.



I got Red Tops then because I was tired of acid leaking from the regular ones on side hills and such when we are doing fieldwork in the spring/fall. Went to the big yellow EverStart Batteries this time, since I don't drive the RAM much anymore, let alone in the field. Too busy in the KW.

 

[icman95]

I'm shocked that all you guys got such good time out of the Red Tops. Put one in my Jeep to use for plowing and didn't last too long. I think it was two seasons. Granted the plow draws from the battery, but the salesman actually tried to talk me out of it because he didn't have a lot of good experiences with them. I got it anyway and had to replace it sooner than expected. Have a Sears Diehard in there now and has already lasted longer than the Red Top. Wasn't happy with the Red.



Have OEM batteries in my 3500 77k miles and 6 1/2 years later. Can't complain at all!

 

[Missouri Mule]

My oem batteries wore out in 3 years. I went with Optima red tops they lasted 5 1/2 years(They went slowly) . I am on my 2nd set of red tops now.

 

[Tomscreek]

A little over 5 years on mine and they seem fine.

 

[DodgeWarlock]

Don't know about life with diesels yet, but the one in my suburban had 6. 5 yrs on it. It gets pretty hot under there when towing and five of those years were in WY. Probably would have lasted longer, but had 3 alternator failures in 4 mnths:{. Two of those I had to drive it to safety on the red top at night!. I don't care how good the warranty is, no more rebuilt alternators#@$%!. As long as I can find 'em when I need 'em, I'll buy more red tops.

 

[MMeier]

Just finally put my red tops in week before last, OEM ones were starting to seep a bit around the negative posts. Didn't want that stuff to go mess up a cable, still checked out OK, not bad for 192k hard miles, most towing a trailer of one sort or another.

 

[HCannon]

The red tops go in even if they dont last as long and cost more. Cant stand the seeps that batterys seem to develop. So far, havent had a falure with one and at present I have five of them. One is about five years old and slowing down but is not out yet.

 

[JGK]

I got 6-1/2 years out of my red tops. They finally failed on me about 3 weeks ago. Decided to go with Sears Diehard Platinum series this time. Same price as the red tops with a better warranty and more cold cranking amps. Guess we'll see if it was worth it!



-Jay

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The red tops go in even if they dont last as long and cost more. Cant stand the seeps that batterys seem to develop. So far, havent had a falure with one and at present I have five of them. One is about five years old and slowing down but is not out yet.

This is certainly an issue that differs from one owner to another.



My personal view, is that batteries, just like tires, wiper blades and many other items on my truck require and deserve REGULAR maintenance - and that includes checking and maintaining a proper charge and electrolyte level - it's not rocket science, and pulling the batteries once or twice a year to thoroughly check for condition of the batteries, cleaning the case, holder and adjacent items is something I would do even WITH the Optimas...



I've been a "car nut" ever since I started driving as a teenager, money and vehicles were hard to come by - and regular inspection and maintenance of the WHOLE vehicle was just something I have always done without question - and I actually enjoy it - guess I'll never make the "drive it like you stole it", or "run it hard and put it away wet" hall of fame... :-laf:-laf



YMMV!

 

[JVackiner]

The reason I bought my first set of Red Top Optima's was because of all the posts like above with good reports. From the time I put them in it took the voltmeter longer to get back up to around 14v where it usually runs. Sometimes up to 2 minutes. The engine also seemed to turn over more slowly. It didn't just pop right off like I was used to. There were a couple of times it was parked outside a during a basketball game (below 0 degrees) that when I went to start it, it shut all electrics off, even the clock reset to 12:00. The pickup did start (thank you cummins) but it was close. My dealer said I could try them for up to a year and he would still give me full credit towards the battery of my choice if I wanted to trade them in. I took him up on it and went with Interstate "Workaholic", couldn't be happier, they act more like the OEM batteries that lasted for 5 years and almost 200K. I know I am in the minority here but I will never try Optima again.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Probably would have lasted longer, but had 3 alternator failures in 4 mnths:{. Two of those I had to drive it to safety on the red top at night!. I don't care how good the warranty is, no more rebuilt alternators#@$%!.

My opinion exactly. Have an AutoZone Lifetime Warranty alternator in my old '72 Impala. I get to change it out twice a year for the rest of my life. #@$%!

 

[HCannon]

Gary,

You are right about pulling maintenance. That is the key to long life. It would be a safe bet that you get a lot of miles out of one. I may not do it all that good but I will get around to cleaning the post about once a year and they are the Optimas.



Harvey

 

[DodgeWarlock]

John

Tell me about it. After bad luck with"the Zone"'s alternators in the past, these were from Carquest. One of them actually fell apart when the case screws walked out. They kept trying to blame it on the truck or the red tops:-{}. Finally got an upgrade to a 100% new alternator after it failed again(on a new wet cell). Funny, no trouble with the new one six months later.

 

[Ramtuf1]

Quick question??



Went to purchase Red-Tops and found no cross reference for OEM batteries due to size (dimensions) of batteries. How do these batteries fit in the battery box (2001) and do you have to make any modifications to get them strapped down?