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Thread: Optima Battery?

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Posts: 11-19 of 19
2008-02-25 05:36:03
#11
As a general rule, optima rates their batteries like this:

Red Top: Standard battery, some electronics (not show car with tons of screens n ****)
Yellow Top: Deep Cycle, Good for high power requirements like tons of electronics equipment.
Blue Top: Marine Deep Cycle, not sure on this one, but I thought it was a blend between Standard and Deep Cycle.
2008-02-25 06:04:36
#12
Ive had my red top for years. Love it.
2008-02-25 06:30:02
#13
The red top is worth every penny.
2008-02-25 06:48:20
#14
Had more red top for five years, and it was used when I got it (too it off some little steamroller at a construction site when I was young, drunk, and stupid :o)

Anyway, it has never failed me and I have listened to the radio with the motor off for hours on end. Granted, I don't have any amp, subs, screens or bs like that......
2008-02-25 13:46:22
#15
Red top is the way to go. Unless you got a TV in evey window, visor, mudflap, and mirror.
2008-02-25 16:29:33
#16
Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. Whats the life span (approx.) of a red top in a non DD? How long have you had em?
thanks.
2008-02-25 19:03:35
#17
I've had mine for 5 years, and recently it survived a month of constant full draining/charging while trying to get my engine management sorted.

A friend of mine's red top battery survived storage uncharged for two months. It came right back to life and works fine.


The Miata crowd has many stories of their stock batteries lasting some 15 years or more. This is typical for them. They have trunk mounted dry cell batteries similar to the Optima design. A lot of people on forums told me not to expect my Optima to last longer than 5 years. That seemed crazy to me, and still does.
2008-02-26 15:12:49
#18
Odyssey is a bit more, but look at the specs...
I chose the Odyssey Automotive Sealed Military Grade Battery W/ Metal Jacket - PC1200MJ. It works great, with 2 stages of charge. ISO9000 rated.
It works on its side or up-side down, (not that you want to find yourself in such a position, while driving). Great to know it won't leak on your face, if you crash.

Like having 2 batteries in one, with a deep cell 5 second blast, during ignition. If you have increased compression, this helps a bunch, (unless you have a compression release valve, for starting).
It was $217 P/S from a terrific supplier who answered the phone on Saturday AM and shipped the same day, very cheap. (The site lists a more expensive fee for weekend delivery, on the check out page, but dude said on the phone, he was going to fix the check out, as he doesn't charge the weekend premium anyways).
http://www.batterystore.com/Odyssey/PC1200MJ.htm

Here's the full line-up:

http://www.batterystore.com/Odyssey/OdysseyProducts.htm

Arrived in two days. They have East and west Coast shipping, so you can get it from wherever you live nearest, fast.

I expect with an average 12 year lifespan , I won't be buying a battery for a very long time. 15 year lifespan, is not uncommon.

Nothing against the Optima line, but now they are mass producing them, around the world, how can they possibly remain as good as they used to be?
Search the web and there are way too many complaints about "guaranteed replacement".

Ever hear of anyone bragging about buying a Sears Die Hard battery anymore? No.

This battery is shielded and includes EnerSys Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) battery rating, so it can be shipped via air plane, to the islands, without paying for hazardous delivery, as per DOT and International Air Travel Association (IATA) and (ISTA). You must use the original box, with ISTA labeling, in order to deliver this battery by air, without hassle.
2008-02-27 22:09:55
#19
I'm glad someone mentioned Odyssey batteries. Dry cell is the way to go. Optimas are great, but nothing beats 1200 CCA at 38 lbs mounted to the t-top upside-down. Price be damned.
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