Optima battery opinions..

Jon350

Founding Member
Mar 12, 2001
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SoCal
I was wondering who runs them and whether they like them or not. I've gone through two in the period of four years. Which makes me wonder if they're really all that great. I like the dry cell idea but shouldn't the charge last longer? Which actually makes me wonder if my alternator is the problem. Either way i'm getting a PA performance version next week......Let me know what you guys think of the batteries.
 
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I run a dry cell with no issues at all. No free acid eating away at my fender apron area. Mine has lasted five years so far. I have an Optima in my 76 Landcruiser which is about eight years old with no problems so far. (I hope they both don't go out tomorrow!)
 
Have had 3 optima red tops between both of my mustangs. One I killed myself by accidently not closing one of my doors open for a week or two in my garage. So far I have been really pleased with them. They do have a 3 year warranty so you may want to look into that. When I do get another one I will probably be getting a yellow top because they are better suited for normal use and nice stereos. I honestly dont need 700 cold cranking amps because nothing I have is over 10.6:1 compression. I'd rather have a more durable and one that maintains a charge longer.
Kevin
 
I have the yellow top and and it saved my bacon on a trip where the alternator went out, without me noticing. It kept the electric fan running long enough for me to get safely off the highway...about 30 minutes. The only reason I noticed was that it got time to turn on the headlights and they were dim. It took a full 24 hours to recharge, but I'll never use a regular battery again.
 
I have an Optima red top in my stang, the price was not much more than getting a conventional starting battery so it was an easy decision.

I have heard the red tops really don't like deep cycling, so for winter storage I took it out of my car and put the charger on it to top it up once a month.
 
I currently have 3 red tops and have only had one go bad on me so far. The oldest one is pushing 8 years now and the other is about 6 years old with no problems. The one that went bad on me was my fault as I over charged it. Even after I cooked it, it still took 6 months to self destruct :rolleyes: I think they are great batteries and will continue to purchase them as needed.
 
1 year and ticking with the red top. I had a budding the service that had one in his jeep for over ten years. And last time I talked to him it was still going. I would lean towards a charging problem. Weak alternators are hard on any battery.