Optima batteries

[stoney bones]

Ive been looking at batteries. by the descriptions on optimas webpage i know i need the yellow top.

but the thing is....ive been to MANY different sites and they some seem to list different CCA for the battery with wildly different prices! how do i know what one i need? some sites only offer one choice...others have like 3 different yellow tops all with the same specs but different prices.

anyone using one that can shed some light on this?

 

[fzsk4p]

Ive been looking at batteries. by the descriptions on optimas webpage i know i need the yellow top.

but the thing is....ive been to MANY different sites and they some seem to list different CCA for the battery with wildly different prices! how do i know what one i need? some sites only offer one choice...others have like 3 different yellow tops all with the same specs but different prices.

anyone using one that can shed some light on this?

So long as the group (size) number matches up to what you have. Purchase the one that has the most power for your required size.

Optima carries different part numbers for each size depending on terminal configuration. Top/side or both top and side terminal.

I`ve purchased my YT`s online from Advance Auto Parts using the discount codes Advance offers. Then picked the battery up at the store. Last purchase was at 25% off.

 

[Old Dog]

Heres the low down on my YT.
part # 8014-045
model # D34/78 it has both top and side posts.
CA 870, CCA 750, AH 55, RC 120
I got in 3-08 so far so good. The jeep gets shut off and started alot on trailrides. If my engine temp is up I'll let the elect. fan run with the motor off, sometimes we start BSing and it runs for awhile.It handles the winch well also, sometimes without the motor running. the jeep always starts back up.
I have optima RT batterys in all my cars and trucks, 4 in all, the oldest one maybe 10 years old now, newest maybe 6 months. I've had good luck with them.

 

[iCEMAN]

Like these guys, run Yellow top, dual posts in both mine and my son's Jeeps. Both have winches, and get the on and off treatment on the trails.

I also run Optimas in my tow rig and my street rod. No problems or concerns so far.

 

[Sasquach]

Proceed with caution, my RV site I frequent has a thread running about how downhill Optima has gone, apparently they have moved there manufacturing overseas and quality is no longer the same. I personally have no experience one way or the other.

 

[51 CJ3]

Proceed with caution, my RV site I frequent has a thread running about how downhill Optima has gone, apparently they have moved there manufacturing overseas and quality is no longer the same. I personally have no experience one way or the other.

IF.. I repeat... IF this is true about them sending jobs overseas then I would look hard for a good quality U.S.A. made replacement before buying another one.

Jeff

 

[stoney bones]

damn i hope thats not true....ive wanted an optima for years now, i can finally afford them lol


the main problem i run into is that places dont always say what group number...the descriptions say the same and prices change heh.


but looks like common consensus is that i need the D34/78 group with the top and side terminals.

 

[CJ]

AFAIK - Optima batteries have been made in Mexico since 2008.

Google - Optima batteries moves to Mexico

 

[stoney bones]

cost them less to make them now...but they are still the same price. not to mention the good folks who lost there jobs...

ill be looking for a new battery.

 

[Sasquach]

Here is the thread from RV.net
I had not thoroughly read it myself so should not have commented about them. You can read it and see there are people on both sides of the fence. I wanted one for my CJ too, will see.

RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Truck Campers: OPTIMA Batteries

 

[fzsk4p]

The main issue with Optima batteries is folks mis-using the battery type for the application.

Example would be a YT as a starting battery. Or a Red Top and hooking a winch to it.

Optima makes the batteries to fulfill a particular need. Not using the battery as designed will shorten it`s life.

Yes I run dual YT`s but I also discharge them (by use or purposely) to near dead. Then use a proper charger (AGM type) to recharge them.

Read the Optima website and get educated. Be honest with what you will use the battery for and buy accordingly.

 

[stoney bones]

The main issue with Optima batteries is folks mis-using the battery type for the application.

Example would be a YT as a starting battery. Or a Red Top and hooking a winch to it.

Optima makes the batteries to fulfill a particular need. Not using the battery as designed will shorten it`s life.

Yes I run dual YT`s but I also discharge them (by use or purposely) to near dead. Then use a proper charger (AGM type) to recharge them.

Read the Optima website and get educated. Be honest with what you will use the battery for and buy accordingly.

thats not the issue here what so ever(with me at least). but thanks for the info.

i always thought of optima as a great american battery...thats not the case anymore. its been outsourced to mexico like everything else. i would rather support a company that supports america.

 

[LongHorn]

The main issue with Optima batteries is folks mis-using the battery type for the application.

Example would be a YT as a starting battery. Or a Red Top and hooking a winch to it.

Optima makes the batteries to fulfill a particular need. Not using the battery as designed will shorten it`s life.

Yes I run dual YT`s but I also discharge them (by use or purposely) to near dead. Then use a proper charger (AGM type) to recharge them.

Read the Optima website and get educated. Be honest with what you will use the battery for and buy accordingly.

What about the Blue top Marine batteries, they say they are "Deep cycle starting batteries".
Should they be regularly deep discharged or not?

 

[BusaDave9]

What about the Blue top Marine batteries, they say they are "Deep cycle starting batteries".
Should they be regularly deep discharged or not?

Yes, the Blue Top Marine battery should be discharged periodically.

All deep cycle batteries should be periodically discharged all the way. Then recharged.

On the other hand a regular starting battery is harmed by letting it discharge all the way. Letting the battery go dead too often will shorten it's life.
The Optima Yellow top battery is considered a "dual-purpose" battery. Although it is a deep cycle battery and works well with a winch or other accessories that may discharge the battery, but it is not harmed if you don't discharge it all the way on a periodic basis.

Actually some of the Blue top batteries are not deep cycle.
Any Optima battery with a dark gray body is a starting battery.

Any Optima battery with a light gray body is a deep cycle battery.

 

[54cj3b]

only thing about the optima I don't like they lose their charge if it sits for a week or so

but I finally solved that I leave charger on trickle

 

[Old Dog]

only thing about the optima I don't like they lose their charge if it sits for a week or so

but I finally solved that I leave charger on trickle

I think you have a short somwhere.
My truck usually only gets started once a week, and my jeep goes for 2 or 3 weeks sometimes. The jeep usually sits for 3 or 4 months in the winter, but starts right up in the spring.(so far anyway)

 

[LongHorn]

only thing about the optima I don't like they lose their charge if it sits for a week or so

but I finally solved that I leave charger on trickle

Thanks for the straight on the optima deep cycle batteries Busa.

My last "third world vacation" was about six mo. when I got back to the ranch my rig fired right up no problem.
I'm running dual blue tops.
They have a threaded post, when I leave for extended periods.
I disconnect the pos. cable.
I would suspect you have short draining your battery.
hold you pos. cable a 1/4 inch or so away from your batt. terminal.
If you have a spark you have some power drain or short.
It's time to break out your multi meter & go to work.