Optima Battery Worth It
#1
Optima Battery Worth It
Going to need 2 new batteries. Realized one of my factory batteries is leaking and they are getting weaker after only 2 years. Dealer offered to replace them with factory 850CC batteries for 150 each plus install. I am hesitant do factory batteries again because they seemed to not hold up well so I was looking at Optima Yellow top 750CC batteries. After a coupon they are are 259.00 each I can do the install. The yellow tops are hybrid designed for deep cycle and normal starting. I do have a number of accessories on the truck a couple rigid 10" light bars and air bags and aux air compressor and I plan on adding more lights to the truck. A top of the line standard battery 850CC from auto parts is running about $165.00. Anyone have any experience with optima are they worth the extra $95 a piece. Both optima and Auto parts are 3 year free replacement. I live in a Houston and the heat here is hard on all batteries. Pretty much have to replace your battery after 3 to 4 years no matter what you go with. Am I really loosing anything by going with the 750CC vs 850CC. I think the factory battery is 750CC anyway. Just looking for opinions. Thanks
#2
I am not a fan of optima. Had bad luck with a few of them. Only Odyssey for me now - downside, not inexpensive.
Make's me want to check if I could stuff in two commercial group 31's (https://shop.odysseybattery.com/p/31...mmercial?pp=25) in the front of my diesel now - use those in my camping rigs, awesome batteries and 100Ah each and 1150 CCA
ODYSSEY Battery - Official Manufacturer's Site
Make's me want to check if I could stuff in two commercial group 31's (https://shop.odysseybattery.com/p/31...mmercial?pp=25) in the front of my diesel now - use those in my camping rigs, awesome batteries and 100Ah each and 1150 CCA
ODYSSEY Battery - Official Manufacturer's Site
#3
750 CCA is the minimum for our trucks. I don't know that is a good spend. How old are your original batteries because they do have a warranty and if they load test fail they should be getting a percentage replacement. the downside to the Motorcraft right now is when they shake they leak acid and you get corrosion everywhere. Charge them up and load test them, I bet they are not as bad as you think.
I am going to try and fit larger when I get around to replacement as well. A group 31 at 100 Ah would be better especially for your heat, and for my cold weather and starting. I wish I could find actual Odysey's around here.
I am going to try and fit larger when I get around to replacement as well. A group 31 at 100 Ah would be better especially for your heat, and for my cold weather and starting. I wish I could find actual Odysey's around here.
#4
#5
750 CCA is the minimum for our trucks. I don't know that is a good spend. How old are your original batteries because they do have a warranty and if they load test fail they should be getting a percentage replacement. the downside to the Motorcraft right now is when they shake they leak acid and you get corrosion everywhere. Charge them up and load test them, I bet they are not as bad as you think.
I am going to try and fit larger when I get around to replacement as well. A group 31 at 100 Ah would be better especially for your heat, and for my cold weather and starting. I wish I could find actual Odysey's around here.
I am going to try and fit larger when I get around to replacement as well. A group 31 at 100 Ah would be better especially for your heat, and for my cold weather and starting. I wish I could find actual Odysey's around here.
They are no fun to load in @ almost 80lbs each too - I just need to measure that they can fit first (13.00 x 6.80 x 9.41):
#6
750 CCA is the minimum for our trucks. I don't know that is a good spend. How old are your original batteries because they do have a warranty and if they load test fail they should be getting a percentage replacement. the downside to the Motorcraft right now is when they shake they leak acid and you get corrosion everywhere. Charge them up and load test them, I bet they are not as bad as you think.
I am going to try and fit larger when I get around to replacement as well. A group 31 at 100 Ah would be better especially for your heat, and for my cold weather and starting. I wish I could find actual Odysey's around here.
I am going to try and fit larger when I get around to replacement as well. A group 31 at 100 Ah would be better especially for your heat, and for my cold weather and starting. I wish I could find actual Odysey's around here.
#7
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#8
#12
I think there are only about 4 battery manufacturers for US sold batteries. All the quality batteries, IMO, from Odyssey, Northstar, Interstate, Duralast, etc and all going to be about the same in quality, construction, etc. Many quality batteries are rebrands of the same battery. Costco/Kirkland batteries along with Varta and Optima are made by Johnson Controls.
If you want to stay with Optima I would go with Red Top...800 CCA. That gets you closer to OEM at 850. Odyssey is at 950 CCA. Duralast Gold is 850 CCA.
Personally I would not go with a AGM. Typically CCA's are lower on those and they also typically have lower reserve minutes.
Old school lead acid batteries are fantastic...my suggestion would be to look for a quality battery with the best warranty and/or the best service network.
Personally I have always had luck with AutoZone...batteries are quality and there are stores almost everywhere that will back their warranty.
Another suggestion would be to get something like a Ctek MSX 5.0 (I have the old MUS 4.3 and it works great) and hook your batteries up to that a couple times a year and do a recondition. You won't believe how much longer they will last.
If you want to stay with Optima I would go with Red Top...800 CCA. That gets you closer to OEM at 850. Odyssey is at 950 CCA. Duralast Gold is 850 CCA.
Personally I would not go with a AGM. Typically CCA's are lower on those and they also typically have lower reserve minutes.
Old school lead acid batteries are fantastic...my suggestion would be to look for a quality battery with the best warranty and/or the best service network.
Personally I have always had luck with AutoZone...batteries are quality and there are stores almost everywhere that will back their warranty.
Another suggestion would be to get something like a Ctek MSX 5.0 (I have the old MUS 4.3 and it works great) and hook your batteries up to that a couple times a year and do a recondition. You won't believe how much longer they will last.
#13
#14
This could be the reason the OP is having trouble so early on especially with one leaking. My opinion is the dealership should, at a min, replace the leaking battery.
#15
I've used Optima batteries and didn't see that I got any more service life (maybe a little less) than the best lead acid battery from Walmart. After having had a couple of Optima's, I never felt they were worth the price differential. Having said that, I err on the side of "big box" store batteries, because of the "universally" available warranty. If you should ever have a warranty issue, you need availability.