I always use an Optima red top and new cables on every project to insure no problems. Here’s my Optima story. In 1990 my group 31 factory battery in my then new 90 Dodge cummins died so rather than warranty it I got a 1000cca red top as a “second” with a small scuff on the case for $40. 17years of daily driver later it would no longer crank the dodge so I bought a new one($150) and put the old one in my 55 Buick. Fired right up. Drove that as a sometimes DD and sometimes cruiser till it wouldn’t crank anymore,2008. Sold the Buick to a fellow in New Zealand with a junk barely start able regular group 22 and fabbed a bracket to put the Optima on my riding lawnmower where it happily cranked till last summer,2018, when it began cranking too slow for it. At that point it was at 7 volts and I declared it retired. Quite a run for a $40 battery.

 

I had a similar experience with a red top Optima and a Delco group 24 battery I got at Price Club. Now Costco. Over ten years! I'm lucky to get four years out of any battery now. I had one Optima last only two years. Seems to be hit and miss now that they are made out of country. Mine have been made in Mexico lately.