Car Battery and Optima Batteries

[HellsBells]

Has anyone recently purchased a red or yellow top optima?

I used to run a couple of these with no problems in other cars but I've been reading that a lot of people have trouble with them. Apparently, they outsourced production to mexico a year or two ago and now it's very hit-and-miss, some people have their batteries crap out as early as 6 months and some have the batteries never work to begin with.

Either way, I need a new battery and was wondering what everyone is using. I tend to make short trips (1-2miles) so the car gets cranked up a lot but doesn't have all that much time to charge the battery. I'm also running an I/C pump, methanol pump, and some gauges. These haven't posed an issue but my battery dies within a week if the car isn't driven (probably because it's been drained a couple times and can't hold a charge).

All opinions/comments/insults/recommendations welcome!

 

[OhhFiveGt]

I run a yellow top and I have never had an issue. My car sat in the garage over the winter battery disconnected for 7months. When I pulled it out it started right back up first try. Sometimes I'll leave the car without being started for weeks and it never has lost a charge. This battery has been in 2 of my pervious cars before I stuck it in my GT and still going strong.

 

[HellsBells]

I run a yellow top and I have never had an issue. My car sat in the garage over the winter battery disconnected for 7months. When I pulled it out it started right back up first try. Sometimes I'll leave the car without being started for weeks and it never has lost a charge. This battery has been in 2 of my pervious cars before I stuck it in my GT and still going strong.

Thanks for the input, since it's been in two previous cars, I assume you bought this a while ago (before they changed factories).

 

[retfr8flyr]

I bought a new Yellow Top last year and it has performed great so far. My car can sit for a while between driving trips and the battery never shows any sign of being weak. At the track I leave my ignition on after a run, to let the electric water pump continue to run and one time I got distracted and forgot to turn it off for almost an hour but the battery was fine.


Earl

 

[BadHabit2Break]

Just bought a red top for my wifes Ford Edge about a month ago. Has been working great.

 

[gil_t2]

From what i have seen, and talked to shop owners, and guys selling battery's, the Optimas seem to have around a 20% failure rate, my red top lasted 4 months. I got the DieHard Platinum with the AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) construction

 

[tmcolegr]

From what i have seen, and talked to shop owners, and guys selling battery's, the Optimas seem to have around a 20% failure rate, my red top lasted 4 months. I got the DieHard Platinum with the AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) construction

Every Optima battery I have ever owned must have been part of that 20%. I know lots of users that swear they're the best thing since sliced bread, but I'm sorry I never seen that to be the case.

I started using Odyssey AGM batteries and have never looked back

 

[gil_t2]

I believe that it is higher than 20% , locally it seems Tobe 35%, but i though best to post the lower number. The AGM style battery's are great.

 

[weather man]

I went to auto value and bought the biggest lead acid battery that was rated to fit. Had to take the little tray spacers out and modify the heat shield blanket. It had a big ass warranty and like 10,000 cranking amps, I think, it might have been a little less.

 

[gil_t2]

I went to auto value and bought the biggest lead acid battery that was rated to fit. Had to take the little tray spacers out and modify the heat shield blanket. It had a big ass warranty and like 10,000 cranking amps, I think, it might have been a little less.

Sorry it must be the heat, but don't understand the point of your post.

 

[weather man]

All opinions/comments/insults/recommendations welcome!

Sorry it must be the heat, but don't understand the point of your post.

I decided not to purchase an Optima battery. I went with the biggest conventional battery I could fit. The CCA was posibly exagerated a small amount

 

[IHVOCD]

Every Optima battery I have ever owned must have been part of that 20%. I know lots of users that swear they're the best thing since sliced bread, but I'm sorry I never seen that to be the case.

I started using Odyssey AGM batteries and have never looked back

Those are a lot heavier aren't they?

 

[3VPOWA]

I've had my Optima Yellowtop in my car since Oct. 2010 without any issue. Even drained it dead when my alternator crapped out on me back in March.

I bought the Yellowtop mainly because I'm running an aftermarket stereo system that has a little wattage to it.

 

[skwerl]

Sears Diehard AGM style battery here.
If your battery is getting run down from short trips, have you considered upgrading your alternator to the PA 130 amp?

 

[tmcolegr]

Those are a lot heavier aren't they?

No

http://odysseybatteries.com/index.htm

 

[skwerl]

I heard that Odyssey is the only manufacturer of the AGM batteries and that Sears AGM batteries are made by Odyssey. Sears also sells them about $50 cheaper than Odyssey, and they are also pretty easy to work with on warranty when it comes time to replace it.

 

[rayS197]

Are the Braille No weight batteries worth a shit?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BRL-B3121/SuggestedParts/?prefilter=1

 

[HellsBells]

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I might go with a Sears battery. What's the deal with the AGM?

Brian: Not sure I can be bothered to change the alternator at this point. I usually drive the car 2-3 times a week at least and it runs fine. It's just sometimes I let it sit a little longer but hey, I have AAA