Optima Batteries
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Optima Batteries
SO my uncle gave my his RedTop Optima battery he had bought but had sold the car it was for before he remembered to install it, but my neighbor has one in her 94 F150, and my friend in Texas has on in HIS 76, but both of them said after 2 years they have stopped holding a charge. both only after 2 years use.
I am not sure if they arent meant for daily use, or what, but I want to know if I should mount it on the other side of the engine compartment and use it during the winters in conjunction with my daily battery, for starting in the cold and using my plow, or if I'd be fine using it alone.
I am not sure if they arent meant for daily use, or what, but I want to know if I should mount it on the other side of the engine compartment and use it during the winters in conjunction with my daily battery, for starting in the cold and using my plow, or if I'd be fine using it alone.
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Optima RedTop's are definitely meant for daily use. I believe their specialty according to Optima is "starting power". They all come with warranties usually at least 3 years no matter where they are purchased from, too.
If the RedTop is working right, I think you'd be fine using it alone.
If the RedTop is working right, I think you'd be fine using it alone.
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and that's what I thought, cause I noticed the "Starting Power" on the top.
My uncle obviously gave me the wave off "HogWash" when I brought the whole loss of charge thing, I told my neighbor and friend to contact optima for a better look into it.
thanks
My uncle obviously gave me the wave off "HogWash" when I brought the whole loss of charge thing, I told my neighbor and friend to contact optima for a better look into it.
thanks
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Optima's claim to fame is being able to mount the battery in any position, even upside down.
My opinion, and only my opinion, is we had tried a set of Optimas in two IR compactors and they barely lasted 18 months. The other 3 compactors (total of 5) received regular NAPA 84 month batteries the same time (it was a curiosity test), 4 years later they are still there.
Optimas are a pain in the **** to charge as well.
Josh
My opinion, and only my opinion, is we had tried a set of Optimas in two IR compactors and they barely lasted 18 months. The other 3 compactors (total of 5) received regular NAPA 84 month batteries the same time (it was a curiosity test), 4 years later they are still there.
Optimas are a pain in the **** to charge as well.
Josh
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I've been wondering about those myself. I was thinking 'bout the yellow top for on down the line when I got some more $. I have their brochure here, and it says that the red tops are 36 mos free replacement in passenger vehicle/light truck. They say you can turn 'em upside down with no spill, and they'll withstand high heat. I have no experience with them, and don't know anyone who has, so I'd love to hear from those with experience.
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well I got it for nothing brand new, so I'll see how it does, the battery that I had in it was one kicking around my garage, and it's not holding up, seeing as it's 300 Cranking amps less that the amount my truck needs
Craig, I have experience with the yellow and blue tops, I always ran the yellows in my track cars, and they were AWESOME, but we didn't run alternators, and that's along the lines of what the dry cell is designed for, the blue tops are in my grandfathers 36' Grand Banks classic, powered the starters to twin cat 1544 diesels, and he's had them in there for I have no idea how long, I was around 14 when I helped him install them and I'm 22 now.
Craig, I have experience with the yellow and blue tops, I always ran the yellows in my track cars, and they were AWESOME, but we didn't run alternators, and that's along the lines of what the dry cell is designed for, the blue tops are in my grandfathers 36' Grand Banks classic, powered the starters to twin cat 1544 diesels, and he's had them in there for I have no idea how long, I was around 14 when I helped him install them and I'm 22 now.
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That's my thinking on the subject. Maybe keep a jump pack around just in case.
Cool. Thanks.
Craig, I have experience with the yellow and blue tops, I always ran the yellows in my track cars, and they were AWESOME, but we didn't run alternators, and that's along the lines of what the dry cell is designed for, the blue tops are in my grandfathers 36' Grand Banks classic, powered the starters to twin cat 1544 diesels, and he's had them in there for I have no idea how long, I was around 14 when I helped him install them and I'm 22 now.
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If the battery is ran completely dead then good luck. I think you also have to really limit the amount of charge during charging and be more carefull about how hot the battery gets during charging.
If the battery was free then awesome! Personally I don't think the Energizer batteries at Wal-Mart can be beat for performance, warranty and price.
Josh
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From: San Carlos, CA
I used to buy batteries every year until I found the Optima battery.
I have dual Blue tops in my 05 Suburban (Sorry guys, its a work vehicle) for 5 years now and they take quite a beating. One battery runs the truck and the other runs the electronics including my inverter. Typical load on the AUX battery is around 10 AMPS but it will go as high as 80 AMPS or more when the inverter is running at capacity.
So I spent the bucks and purchased the blue top for my 79 and it works great. I will buy a second blue top to add a second battery to the system to power a future wench.
I have dual Blue tops in my 05 Suburban (Sorry guys, its a work vehicle) for 5 years now and they take quite a beating. One battery runs the truck and the other runs the electronics including my inverter. Typical load on the AUX battery is around 10 AMPS but it will go as high as 80 AMPS or more when the inverter is running at capacity.
So I spent the bucks and purchased the blue top for my 79 and it works great. I will buy a second blue top to add a second battery to the system to power a future wench.
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They were a great battery when Gates owned them, Then sold to Optima and were great in the begining but have slid down hill a lot. I know a few guys that work, well worked there in tell they packed up and moved there opperation to Mexico. Anyones guess now but I won't buy one again.
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thank you guys for all the feedback, I really appreciate it, it's helped me out more than you know, it's being stuck in the middle of nowhere to getting to me destination that is my base of concern
thanks again guys
thanks again guys
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My '76 came with a Yellow top, and i've had the truck for 7 mos or so. The truck has sat quite a bit (maybe 3 weeks at a time) in the winter while not in use, and everytime i've gone to start it up, it's cranked perfect, and starts easily.
The first day i got the truck, on the way home, the gas switch was switched to the empty tank (although the gauge still showed it had fuel), so the truck ran out of gas on the highway... 8-10 mins of cranking off and on, while figuring out what was wrong (took me a bit to find the tank switch!)... never did the battery stutter or run out of amps for the starter.
no complaints here
JT
The first day i got the truck, on the way home, the gas switch was switched to the empty tank (although the gauge still showed it had fuel), so the truck ran out of gas on the highway... 8-10 mins of cranking off and on, while figuring out what was wrong (took me a bit to find the tank switch!)... never did the battery stutter or run out of amps for the starter.
no complaints here
JT
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i just got one... there are some specific instructions for keeping the batteries in good condition and bringing them back to life if they die... if you're using a regular charger have to do it in parallel.
give 'em a call if you have questions, their tech line is very helpful.
give 'em a call if you have questions, their tech line is very helpful.