Anyone use an Optima battery?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 11
Anyone use an Optima battery?
Good evening,
It's time to replace the battery in my 2006 E350 and I had a question. Does anyone use an Optima battery under the hood in the same spot as a factory battery? Is modification necessary? The website won't match me with a model. I have a powered subwoofer and TV monitor hooked up and I want a battery that can handle that. I was going to just get another motocraft battery but wondered about Optima because I still plan on getting a back up camera and possibly other accessories. I doubt it would ever be to the point where I would need multiple batteries though. What's the difference between red, yellow, and blue?
Thanks
It's time to replace the battery in my 2006 E350 and I had a question. Does anyone use an Optima battery under the hood in the same spot as a factory battery? Is modification necessary? The website won't match me with a model. I have a powered subwoofer and TV monitor hooked up and I want a battery that can handle that. I was going to just get another motocraft battery but wondered about Optima because I still plan on getting a back up camera and possibly other accessories. I doubt it would ever be to the point where I would need multiple batteries though. What's the difference between red, yellow, and blue?
Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
So many better less gimmicky options available for AGM batteries these days. If you want value and AGM get the Everstart from Walmart or get the Northstar from batteries and bulbs. If you really want to step up get the Odyssey Extreme.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 11
I was just at Wal-Mart staring at the everstart and telling myself don't be "cheap". Is the everstart a good value?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Yes for what it is and who makes it it's a very good value. It's not top of the line by but it's a good solid AGM platform. There is also the benefit the warranty is good and available at most walmart's. Be warned if you go with Odyssey they did do some renaming, you would be looking for the Extreme and not the performance as the performance is now the lower level. Still a good battery but its identical to the Northstar X2 which can be had for much cheaper locally at battery and bulbs for about 270.00.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
Good evening,
It's time to replace the battery in my 2006 E350 and I had a question. Does anyone use an Optima battery under the hood in the same spot as a factory battery? Is modification necessary? The website won't match me with a model. I have a powered subwoofer and TV monitor hooked up and I want a battery that can handle that. I was going to just get another motocraft battery but wondered about Optima because I still plan on getting a back up camera and possibly other accessories. I doubt it would ever be to the point where I would need multiple batteries though. What's the difference between red, yellow, and blue?
Thanks
It's time to replace the battery in my 2006 E350 and I had a question. Does anyone use an Optima battery under the hood in the same spot as a factory battery? Is modification necessary? The website won't match me with a model. I have a powered subwoofer and TV monitor hooked up and I want a battery that can handle that. I was going to just get another motocraft battery but wondered about Optima because I still plan on getting a back up camera and possibly other accessories. I doubt it would ever be to the point where I would need multiple batteries though. What's the difference between red, yellow, and blue?
Thanks
are you aware that the battery doesn’t help you with power while the engine is running?
if you’re concerned with running all those accessories while the engine is running then you’ll need an upgraded alternator, not battery.
If your concern is running them with the engine off then yes, you’ll need an upgraded battery. I think you want ‘deep cycle’; with a high ‘reserve capacity’
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 11
Notice I said a good value. I was careful in my wording. Of course I wouldn't think it's the same.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 11
Red yellow blue is the different models for different uses.
are you aware that the battery doesn’t help you with power while the engine is running?
if you’re concerned with running all those accessories while the engine is running then you’ll need an upgraded alternator, not battery.
If your concern is running them with the engine off then yes, you’ll need an upgraded battery. I think you want ‘deep cycle’; with a high ‘reserve capacity’
are you aware that the battery doesn’t help you with power while the engine is running?
if you’re concerned with running all those accessories while the engine is running then you’ll need an upgraded alternator, not battery.
If your concern is running them with the engine off then yes, you’ll need an upgraded battery. I think you want ‘deep cycle’; with a high ‘reserve capacity’
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Hopefully you weren't saying Optima was high end, it surely isn't. The Everstart AGM is made by East Penn also known as Deka in USA. It is the same battery sold under several names and the quality has proven to be good for the price. Same battery is sold as the Deka Intimidator, Napa AGM, Remy and Duracell AGM.The Optima batteries are a novelty gimmick at best, these batteries are made for the consumer and proudly made in Mexico by Johnson Controls. The Optima also doesn't come in standard size and requires adapters. Compare the Optima for weight and performance against any other comparable battery and you will see they weigh less, have lower reserve capacity.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,338
Likes: 1,314
From: Central Mississippi
Just changed out an Optima red top group 34 that's not supposed to fit my application.
Damn thing only lasted 13 years. Cable ends look brand new. Can't imagine what I was thinking when I bought it.
Those plastic wedge things that snap on in 2 seconds to keep it held down in a standard Ford battery tray are a joke.
Somehow it never moved a millimeter in all that time.
I really should have bought 2 or 3 regular batteries.
Damn thing only lasted 13 years. Cable ends look brand new. Can't imagine what I was thinking when I bought it.
Those plastic wedge things that snap on in 2 seconds to keep it held down in a standard Ford battery tray are a joke.
Somehow it never moved a millimeter in all that time.
I really should have bought 2 or 3 regular batteries.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Just changed out an Optima red top group 34 that's not supposed to fit my application.
Damn thing only lasted 13 years. Cable ends look brand new. Can't imagine what I was thinking when I bought it.
Those plastic wedge things that snap on in 2 seconds to keep it held down in a standard Ford battery tray are a joke.
Somehow it never moved a millimeter in all that time.
I really should have bought 2 or 3 regular batteries.
Damn thing only lasted 13 years. Cable ends look brand new. Can't imagine what I was thinking when I bought it.
Those plastic wedge things that snap on in 2 seconds to keep it held down in a standard Ford battery tray are a joke.
Somehow it never moved a millimeter in all that time.
I really should have bought 2 or 3 regular batteries.
I've been using the better or best quality NAPA battery for the past 10-12 years in different E-Series, have never had one fail on me during my own life expectancy---if I get a good solid 7 years out of one I'm fine. I certainly don't bash those who opt for something they feel is better by whatever metric they use to gauge quality or "value". I do watch my alternator's performance, almost never have a load on the battery when the engine's not running--maybe all that contributes to my "luck" with batteries?
I do see the Optima name mentioned in other forums, AGM is also bandied about by the mini-RV segment of van owners. There are lots of choices in both claimed quality and pricing---tough to know in advance what's going to be best until they're put into use and have some years on them.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
Hopefully you weren't saying Optima was high end, it surely isn't. The Everstart AGM is made by East Penn also known as Deka in USA. It is the same battery sold under several names and the quality has proven to be good for the price. Same battery is sold as the Deka Intimidator, Napa AGM, Remy and Duracell AGM.The Optima batteries are a novelty gimmick at best, these batteries are made for the consumer and proudly made in Mexico by Johnson Controls. The Optima also doesn't come in standard size and requires adapters. Compare the Optima for weight and performance against any other comparable battery and you will see they weigh less, have lower reserve capacity.
I know there’s a Johnson Controls right here in Florida (Tampa) that makes car batteries. Seems odd that you claim Mexico.
For the record; if I find out Optima is made in Mexico (and there’s a compatible or better unit made in America) then I won’t buy it.
I’m tired of people fervently claiming “buy local!” But then shopping at Amazon, or national chains, etc. I mean hey, some things just aren’t feasible, but it’s appropriate to try.
All else aside, your claim that Optima batteries are a gimmick- that’s definitely not true.