Educate me - Optima Batteries

Possibly, but you'd have to know enough about batteries to use a pulse charger on a deeply discharged battery. Most people don't, and just use their cars' alternators to recharge the batteries. (Another no-no, as this puts severe strain in the alternator. Always recharge a deeply discharged battery with a charger before putting it back in service in the vehicle.)

 

all this bad press on Optima's still didn't keep me from getting one 2yrs ago. I have the blue top deep cycle marine one, couple reasons why, the mondi's battery location is not 'dry' and in the rain or washing the car it will get some water in there. also i have modified the suspension to a very very stiff setup so it's alot harsher on the street. I have zero trouble with the optima, just last week it drained down due to a bad radio connection and that took 2 days to do, recharged it on a slow cycle for one day and it's back to normal. I've left the car to sit for a month with no problems either, and no I don't use a trickle charger. for me I like the optima as the interstate and diehards I had before kept dying.

 

The only difference on the blue tops from yellow is the extra posts for hooking up accessories. I would get rid of them in my boat because they dont do well when left unused for extended periods, but I have billet boxes that are made just for the Optima shape. I have replaced 3 under warranty at Batteries Plus.

 

Water should not make any big difference. The voltage is just not high enough.

>>>I have the blue top deep cycle marine one, couple reasons why, the mondi's battery location is not 'dry' and in the rain or washing the car it will get some water in there.<<<

 

I mis-read originally; I was referring to Odyssey batteries.

 

What does consumer report says about optima battery anyway?
It's not that I would buy one, I woiuldn't.

 

Hmmm...so if you bought one, are you the one who was easily sold? I haven't bought one, still doing research and considering options. Maybe thanks to this thread I won't be easily sold!

 

No, actually the previous owner of the car bought it before he sold me the car, lol. If I were going to buy an expensive battery, it would be an Odyssey for the weight savings.

 

I think Optima red top batteries are complete junk. The first one lasted 6 mos. and I took it back to the speed shop where I bought it. The turkey I bought it from said they would not warrenty it because I did not use a battery maintainer. He then talked me into buying another one and a maintainer. That one lasted a whole year! I took that one back and the same moron then tells me that they have 40 dead ones in the back and that they are not going to sell them anymore. I haven't been back to see if thats true. In my opinion it's CRAP!

 

They last rated batteries in the October 2006 issue. Optima and Odyssey were not tested.

 

I have an Optima Red top and I swear by it. I had loads of trouble with two previous batteries on my Mondy as I have a temperamental starter motor. And since getting the Optima I have had none at all. I even left it for months without using it. I recharged it and its still perfect.

 

My Optima Red Top is not holding a charge this summer.....I suspect a weak alternator, but I haven't done any checking. I have had the battery for almost three years.

This was my first New England Winter where the car sat in sub-freezing temps for weeks. The battery was low when I measured it this spring, but once I hooked up a Schumacher for a couple of hours, she did fire up and the car started/ran like a champ well into July. From that perspective, I was impressed with the Optima. The past couple of weeks, however, the car battery has been weaker and weaker....I could be shopping for another battery soon, myself. I think the Yellow Top is better suited for an occasional-use vehicle than a Red Top. After reading other posts, I felt I bought the wrong type of battery for the car and would steer people clear of using Red Tops for Ferraris (unless its a daily-driver).

 

Good product but they have had a run of defects.....they also seem to tolerate a deep discharge less than conventional lead acid, not sure why...so nuture them with a Tender or you'll be sorry!

 

For additional discussion, see


Any REAL advantage of Optima Red Top Batteries vs. Interstate?
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65058


I have a yellow-top, in the event that I deep-cycle the battery... which I managed to do recently working on the headlights. Battery tender overnight and back to good. No problems.

 

i think they're overrated as well. they're popular with the jap import crowd. i used a red top for a while, left the lights on once with it, tried to charge it and it seemed to take forever to barely charge. i then just bought a cheap autozone battery and it works fine.

here is what Optima claims:

-Delivers higher peak amps faster than conventional batteries
-Provides up to twice the life of conventional batteries
-More consistent voltage across the discharge curve
-Superior cold and hot weather performance vs. conventional batteries
-Available in models with SAE posts, stainless threaded studs, or both
-Spill-proof, even if the case is physically ruptured
-Will not off-gas in normal operation, eliminating fumes, odor & corrosion
-Over 14x more shock and vibration resistant than conventional batteries
-Provides more power from a smaller package
-True zero maintenance
-Holds charge better during periods of nonuse
-Operates in any position without spilling
-Offers proven durability & performance (Read testimonials)
-Shipped out same-day if ordered by 2 p.m. Central Time
-Arrives charged and ready to use
-Free shipping in the U.S. 48 states*