Optima Batteries

Has anyone used an Optima battery in a 348? Which one, model, dimensions, and capacity suits the 348?

 

Optima Yellow Top
Part # SC34DU
CA 870
CCA 750
AH 55
RC 120

 

They may be OK is Aus. but in the US I no longer use them as several crapped out quickly.

 

I checked the manual and it says the battery specs is 70Ah, 380A (Fiamm) or 66Ah, 300A (AC Delco). Is it ok to use the Yellow Top which has a different specs?

 

Dunno mate, I dont use them either.

I havent seen too many around here for sale. Probably ARE crap!

The only reason I poste that info is because he asked about Optima batteries.

Bah, she'll be right.

That battery has been used by several Fchatters without any issues.

 

I got less than 1 year out of my yellow top....fyi

 

Dont get Optima unless you want to get stranded some time when you shut your car off to pump gas. They don't last long and when they fail, they fail suddenly. One theory I was told was they are worse in sports cars because of the vibrations from the tight suspension.


P.S. Mine lasted about one year. Autozone offered to replace it. I told 'em hell no!

 

I also had a yellow top last just under a year, so I wouldn't recommend using them.

 

My neighbor bought Optima's for his Viper and his NSX.
Both failed very early.

 

interesting, guess I'm skipping that for my next battery. Had a gold duralast work for years without issues in another sports car.

 

Sounds like it IS a crappy battery!

 

I've been getting Autozone Duralast batteries and had very good luck with them the past 3 times I've purchased them. I've been buying the next grade they offer above the cheapest version, but not the gold.

 

I used to use these a lot for Car Audio Installations, never had a problem with vibration effecting them and due to their construction i would be very suprised if it would effect them. The thing is, Yellow Tops are a DEEP CYCLE battery, not really designed for a primary car battery.

And yes, when they die, they die without notice, dont do it!

 

Has any one used the Odyssey Batteries? I was thinking of using the PC680 for track days on my 348 (only 15.4lbs).

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/autospecs.html

 

I have used Odyssey batteries for years in my cars.

They have lasted for years too!

I should fit one to my 348, but the last time I needed a battery my brother went down and bought me an off the shelf type.

When this ****s up (which isnt too far away) I think I will fit a new Odyssey battery.

They are the best I have used, but they cost 3-5 times more than a normally battery here in Australia.

 

The top rated battery in Consumer Reports is the Sears Platinum AGM. Comes with a 4 year free replacement warranty, and though in a size Group 34, where the 348 and 355 require a group 34R (reversed terminals), at least in the 355, fits fine, as the cables reach no problem. So check and see with your existing battery the cables will reach okay, if the terminals were reversed.

Oh, and the Sears Platinum is private label manufactured by Odessey. 880 CCA, it is a brute!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850034000P

I have one in my 355.

 

red top in our 348 for about 4 months now, along with a trickle charger while in the garage and had no issues at all

 

Red Top in mine, couple years old at this point, maybe 3.

 

Check into the Odyssey PC925 (or larger) dry cell. There is a thread on the 360 section. Much better battery.

Ray

 

+1. I'm with you, Dave.

 

Just bought the DieHard Gold 34R for the 348 which I think was 550 CCA but I keep it on a Deltran Battery Plus charger and seems fine. Always check the manufacture date on the side of the battery as I' sure everyone knows. Sometimes it sits ont he shelf and is already a year or so old. Took several hours on teh charger to bring it back to full charge, now it's been on trickle.

 

Red top Optimas work just fine until the first time it gets drained down significantly....for some reason, they just can't recover, and permanently lose a lot of capacity...which is supposed to be one reason to use them!

No one should have much issue with a Red Top that is well cared for...but what is the point then, if you have to watch so carefully and keep it constantly on a battery tender?

 

Run red tops for 15-20 years now, never had a problem. Only had to replace one so far and it was 10+ years old.

 

ill remember that
thanks

 

I use a Yellow Top and it has worked perfectly for over 3 years and counting