scafes said the yellow top are overkill. Not to be mean but so what. Aren't there lots of things on our trucks that are overkill. I put 2 yellow tops in when my truck was brand new and am going to replace them at the end of this coming summer. I do run some extra electronic stuff like an amp, an inverter and 4 tv screens as well as 2 DVD players and a playstation. I can tell they are getting weaker but are fine for the summer. I would put them in in a heart beat

 

I've read they've had a lot of quality control problems with Optima batteries lately.

 

Currrently a pair of Kirkland 65's from Costco ... Might be adding 2 more this summer ...

 

Optima batteries may be good but they're only good while they last.

Take a look at the optima site: www.optimabattery.com

Their Yellow Top (deep cycle) battery has a 12/12 warranty - 12 months replacement then 12 month pro-rated. For the price not terribly confidence inspiring.

Things get interesting for their Red Top battery though. Quoting from their site "Optima Red Top batteries are built to withstand the abuse trucks, SUV's and 4X4's experience on and off road while delivering a higher level of power to the starter in the critical 10 seconds of the vehicle starting cycle". But when you check the warranty page it states that the Red Top, when used in non-commercial, light trucks has a 36/36 warranty. But when used in "Abusive service, deep cycle or car audio" service it has NO warranty. The word 'abuse" is theirs, used twice, and contradicting themselves. Who determines abuse? If it's built to withstand abuse why is not covered for abusive service.

Personally I think they're overpriced. I use Interstate batteries in all my vehicles and have never had a problem.

 

12/12? ... mine have a 78 month ... Sometimes store brands can be a much better buy ... Just takes asking questions and reading labels ... Also knowing just what your particular application will need as a minimum is a good thing too ...

 

Its optimabatteries.com, you got the link wrong. You are correct on the warranty. Its been awhile since I saw that. That is another reason to buy standard batteries and pocket the difference. Once I saw that again I remember thinking "what the hell is Optima thinking". I just stick with Interstates.

Price/Performance Ratio. Enough said.

I would like to know however, why the warranty is so low. If anyone knows. Perhaps I will email Optima. That is interesting.

 

I'd be interested to hear their answer. I have a couple of guesses, but they're only a guess:

1. We advertise that you can abuse the crap out of our batteries so you probably will. Nothing lasts forever.

or

2. Yea, our batteries are different - spiral cells, gelled electrolyte, etc. That makes them better when abused. However that isn't the best design for longevity.

Either way, they're overpriced.

 

ive got the walmart brand.have had them for about or just over a year.they where under 70.00 each.
I was gonna go sears diehard but holycrap they were 120.00 each

 

For $150 I can get a series 65 ... Talk about CCA ...

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="85%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#e3eed8>Pro-rata warranty: <TD bgColor=#e3eed8>85 months </TD></FONT></TD></TR><TR><!-- <td bgcolor="#f0ffef">--><TD bgColor=#e3eed8>Weight: <TD bgColor=#e3eed8>44.10 pounds </TD></FONT></TD></TR><TR><!-- <td bgcolor="#f0ffef">--><TD bgColor=#e3eed8>Length: <TD bgColor=#e3eed8>12 inches </TD></FONT></TD></TR><TR><!-- <td bgcolor="#f0ffef">--><TD bgColor=#e3eed8>Width: <TD bgColor=#e3eed8>7.50 inches </TD></FONT></TD></TR><TR><!-- <td bgcolor="#f0ffef">--><TD bgColor=#e3eed8>Height: <TD bgColor=#e3eed8>7.50 inches </TD></FONT></TD></TR><TR><!-- <td bgcolor="#f0ffef">--><TD bgColor=#e3eed8>Cranking Amps: <TD bgColor=#e3eed8>1000 </TD></FONT></TD></TR><TR><!-- <td bgcolor="#f0ffef">--><TD bgColor=#e3eed8>Cold Cranking Amps: <TD bgColor=#e3eed8>850 </TD></FONT></TD></TR><TR><!-- <td bgcolor="#f0ffef">--><TD bgColor=#e3eed8>Voltage: <TD bgColor=#e3eed8>12 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/e...archGroup&js=1
I love 4-digit CCA ...

 

bought 2 batteries from advance auto, fl.

autocraft titanium 1000cca 850 reserve capacity 150

3 yr. full replacemant.

did i make a bad decision??? had no time to shop..i know nothing about the brand or the batteries i bought execpt from what the salesperson told me.

05 f350 4x4 psd cc drw

 

Interstates are best bang for the buck in my companies experience, however do not discount optima yellow tops as they are exceptional, and Optima back there products very well.

We have had poor experience with Red Tops but excellent with yellow tops. Just recetly after 2 years on a red top I called Optima on how dissapointed we were with the red top from being stranded in 180km off-road from the nearest mining camp at night and they said just forward them a copy of the receipt and battery serial number. They called back and said where to ship a new battery. I told them I will not accept another red top so it is either cash or a yellowtop. They shipped me a yellow top (better more expensive battery than the red top) by courier to my house within 48 hours and didn't even want the old red top back - - -- - - Exceptional Service.

We had poor experience with Exide batteries with ~1000CA as well, but when I talked to their "engineer" they indicated when you buy realy high output CA or CCA than what you require, these types of batteries have more and thinner plates to create more surface area for the battery acid to create the additional battery charge CA, thus he recomended regardless of brand of battery buy a battery that has adequate CA but has lots of reserve capacity, normaly gives best durability as their is less and more thicker plates. It has been 5 years and his advise has helped select batteries that last longer than experienced adn currently only use Interstates and Optimas.

Hopefully this is useful.

 

I'm going with two of those, the Interestate MTP-65, found them at a local John Deere dealership for $94 each

 

Nice price ... It pays to shop around in the oddest places ... A farm store sounds like a good place ...

 

sorry they are 850CCA/1000CA
i think they were 64.89 or something like that.They installed for free and was done in about 30 mins while i bought oil and what not.On there second mich winter

 

I was going to get the Walmart brand, but I've read bad things about their durability. Seems like a lot of them utilize the 3 year free replacement warranty.