Optima Yellow Tops/Power Inverter

[DavidBentley]

One of my neighbors up here in a colder part of Alaska did it right for cold weather starting. They have a 06 5. 9. They added a second block heater, two battery blankets, a transmission pan heater, and a trickle charger that all light up when it is plugged in. 50 below is not uncommon where they live. Don't know what batteries they are running.

 

[BHolm]

Bholm:



Man, you've got a serious case of cranial/rectal inversion, if you can't recognize humor when it nips you in the backside.



I never represented myself as an "expert": Far from it; I asked for advice.



What I got, instead, was hyperbolic silliness characterizing a proven product which many TDR members have used for years as "Junk".



Optima batteries are like any other retailed product you can buy: No company manufactures its products and experiences a 100% customer satisfaction quotient. There are going to be defective examples; that's true of any battery manufacturer, any "widget" manufacturer, and it's even true of the company that manufactures your Viagra -- you've occasionally gotten a bad batch, am I right?



To come in here and slam a product that many have relied upon as "Junk" -- and then recommend an alternative which is twice as expensive in its stead -- is adolescent.



I tried to illustrate that via humor, and you couldn't deal with it.



More's the pity.

Humor, yeah right... . like the viagra comment, ha, ha, ha, you ARE a funny guy.



Like I have consistently posted and others have affirmed. There are issues with Optimas. My personal opinion of them based on my experiences, and those of others I know is that your "proven product" is JUNK.



If you really did care about anything other than being a sarcastic SOB you might listen. There is a better option, yep more expensive, imagine that. What a concept eh, a better product that costs more, who'd a thunk it? So do you want something that works or just the show pony version? Pretty obvious which will suit you best.



But you really never cared about getting the best, you just wanted to show us how smart you were by replacing the perfectly good batteries in your new truck with Optimas. THAT is the real joke, too bad you don't get it.

 

[Sasquatch]

RRees:

Pretty much the sort of duty I have in mind: Just the occasional need to plug something in at the rear of the truck -- and on a temporary, low-current-draw basis.

I think having a dedicated battery (or several) with an isolator (from starting battery) makes a lot of sense, too.

The bigger inverter manufacturers that I've researched all suggest taking this approach: Isolating the starter battery(ies) from several deep-cycle batteries that are connected both to the truck's alternator and then slaved to the inverter for AC appliance use. This would be, for me, (as somebody else characterized it) "overkill".

 

[Sasquatch]

"... Humor, yeah right... . like the viagra comment, ha, ha, ha, you ARE a funny guy... . "

You can dish it out, so I assumed you could take it.

My bad.

 

[RRees]

Sasquatch:



I probably should get an isolator also. Just in case. Probably will do that before my next 4x4 offroad adventure.



Good luck in your quest.

 

[Sasquatch]

RRees:

Thanks, and I'm relieved to hear you're still getting great service from your Optimas after seven years.

 

[TKeeler]

Check out these bad boyz...



Lifeline Marine Batteries - AGM Marine Battery & AGM RV Battery

The Lifeline AGM batteries are very good, we have been using them in our Motorhomes for many years. Country Coach - Prevost Conversion

 

[Wolfy]

Lifeline Batteries

The Lifeline AGM batteries are very good, we have been using them in our Motorhomes for many years. [/url]

Nearly a year ago I did considerable research into the battery thing(Optimas included), with the intent to go top drawer on a truck-camper setup. Much discussion on such can be found on TC and RV sites. I also called and spoke with mfrs of the top/most popular brands.



Optimas were among the batteries I considered, but over time I began to tend towards the Lifelines over all others.



If considering these admittedly expensive batteries, be aware that it is recommended that they only be charged with chargers specifically engineered to meet the special charging-rate needs of AGM batteries.



The Lifeline site has some info (spread over several pages) which is worth reading. (... as do some of the charger manufacturers. Others unfortunately seem unaware of some important points, in a manner similar to the "Duh!" service department responses sometimes reported here. )



I can not spell out my reasons now, my memory is like everyone in the current administration SAYS theirs is , but I read everything I could find, and considered carefully.



To really work out the battery lifetime/dollar relationship, along with the claimed use-advantages of the AGM's, using the 50% discharge limit, takes a bit of calculator work. But when the failure/replacement rate of neglected regular batteries is kept in mind, along with the potential for acid spills/fumes, etc. , The dependability, lifetime cost, capacity and durability of the Lifelines won out for me.



They have a new(this year ) taller 6v which gives a higher AH per footprint when used in "banks" (2 batteries in series to get 12V), than was possible with previous sizes. If these fit the designated space, they are an option. If I can get the camper mf to cooperate by installing a slightly taller battery compartment, I will use the paired 6v's).



This whole topic involves so many technical considerations that I really suggest some time spent reading.

 

[Sasquatch]

Wolfy:

I agree with this sentiment, completely:

"... To really work out the battery lifetime/dollar relationship, along with the claimed use-advantages of the AGM's, using the 50% discharge limit, takes a bit of calculator work. But when the failure/replacement rate of neglected regular batteries is kept in mind, along with the potential for acid spills/fumes, etc. , The dependability, lifetime cost, capacity and durability of the Lifelines won out for me... "

I've read several articles about the fact that AGM batteries of all stripes are finicky about their charging requirements: In fact, it's well advertised that they can be damaged -- or even ruined, completely -- as a result of improper charging procedures.

I suspect that, in the majority of cases, premature AGM battery failure (especially in instances where customers report, say, eight consecutive battery failures in a row) may be a case of improper charging technique, defective charging equipment, etc.

I'm not making any accusations, nor pointing any fingers, it's just that it's been well documented -- and the manufacturers readily advertise the fact -- that AGM batteries are susceptible to damage resulting from charging errors.

In my case, as in yours, I've developed a mistrust for lead-acid batteries in the severe conditions (altitudes, temps, distance from service centers, etc. ) I live in. Colorado isn't the North Pole, but it's plenty cold; it's not the Sahara, but it can get plenty hot. I can't explain the pertinent physics, but water-filled batteries seem to have more problems at 10,000 feet (where I work much of the time) than their AGM cousins.

I, too, have grown tired of replacing parts that've been damaged by leaking batteries: My list ('97 Dodge CTD) includes cruise-control components, horn leads, light relays, and so on. I spend a lot of time on rough roads, and liquid-filled batteries get subjected to constant agitation (picture Waring blender on "puree"), so -- "discretion being the better part of valor" -- it seems sensible, to me, to remove the OEM batteries and replace them with something more dependable and better suited to my needs.

I have a lot of family in Colorado, many of whom drive SUVs, live in less severe settings (son in Denver, married daughter in Boulder), so my OEMs will not go to waste.

What I find humorous is examples of individuals who'll decry my waste at removing old-technology batteries, then turn around and slap all sorts of unnecessary gear on their own trucks -- always with a ready rationalization about own their special needs. I worked the same, '97 2500 CTD for 10 years, and resisted the urge to replace it every time the manufacturer changed upholstery colors. If you want to see examples of waste on this site (or thread), it's easy to find them without too much eye strain.

In my experience (DISCLAIMER: AND everybody's experience is DIFFERENT) batteries and tires are the components that have caused me the most grief over my 40 year driving history.

Since I keep my vehicles, and drive them 'till the proverbial "doors fall off," I can justify buying/installing batteries and tires that are rated to last for the better part of a decade, and pass the OEM stuff along to my kids.

Wolfy, btw, I have replaced the OEM tires with SUMITOMO ST918 225/70R 19. 5s and American Eagle 19. 5s. This is a fantastic combination, because the
diameter of the tire/wheel setup exactly matches the factory OEMs, and the weight of the pairing is within 4 lbs per corner, too. The SUMITOMO tires are 14-ply commercial duty, but they only weigh 50 pounds, because they have short, square side-walls. The truck almost looks like it's been set up for racing (picture Miami Vice bobbing beaner vehicle) because the wheel/tire combination has such a low-profile appearance. The ride, however, is not harsh (tires inflated to 75 pounds), and the handling on these curvey mountain roads is fantastic.

I purchased from my local "Big-O" Tire, and the tires have a lifetime damage replacement (non "pro-rated") guarantee, with free balancing, rotation, swapping (winter/summer) etc. from all stores, nationwide. The store ordered the steel inners (for the dual-rears) from Rickson, which I appreciated, too.

I will post pictures, soon.

 

[DShore]

I've heard since I was a young whippersnapper. . IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW; DON'T ASK. seems to hold true here also.

 

[Sasquatch]

DShore

I've heard something in a somewhat different vein: "Opinions are like ---holes; everybody's got one. "

 

[Burner]

Bholm, In no way a smart remark. . but... How would you know anything about batteries holding up after having "6" 3rd Gen trucks? Under your post it was 2007, when did you get your first 3rd gen truck?



And on the battery thing... . get something you can replace quick and easy. If you need a special dampener, Isolator or alternator for your battery..... you're bound to get stung. If you have money you'll probably never have a problem but if you're like the rest of us counting pennies... ... the fancy system/batteries will bite you in the bud.



The Odyssey battery is nice..... but the Army quit using them in the sand. Want to know why? For the same reasons we would soke them... charging, jumper-cables, ect. Great battery but it still needs some work.



The Optimas... . well, what can I say I have had 90% good luck. I've had 10 of these things, two were Red, and only one puked out. The one that did puke was not the correct size for my application. I do NOT like batteries that can explode. Everything that I have has or will have Optima batteries... ... or something very similar to them.







BTW, what did you end up getting?