[computerbookstore]

I put my two red top Optima batteries into field test. Sadly both of them failed miserably. The first one just after two months after purchase. I admit I drove the whole time offroad in the driest place on earth but the manufacturer states that they are build for tough conditions. Lucky me that when it failed I had a two batteries setup (with another red top optima) and it got me out of the trouble. Otherwise some future archaeologist would have a fine specimen of desert mummies. Then after a couple of extra months in Patagonia the other (backup) red top Optima failed. And no, I do not have any extra accessories like a winch or a fridge to discharge them completely.

As replacement for the first one I bought Bosch AsiaSilver9. And after six months and 20.000km on gravel roads and offroad it holds without problems. I am going to buy another AsiaSilver from Bosch to replace the other failed Optima.

So, when the first Optima failed I thought I had bad luck and got a bad specimen. But when the other failed too...well I will not be buying from them anymore. The pain is that I cannot return/exchange them eventhou they are on warranty - the store I bought it from is on the other side of the globe.

J.

[photogod]

That sucks but any store that sells them will take them back.

[forcedinductionz]

You probably checked this already. If you drain an optima down to 9 or 10 volts it will automatically shut down and will fail a load test. The only way to restore them is to 1.5amp trickle charge them for 24 hours before they will work again. I work at an auto parts store and many people turn yellow and red tops in for a core charge because it fails a load test. Really, 99.9% of the time the battery hits it's failsafe voltage and just needs a slow trickle to work again. I'm not saying your batteries didn't fail, but it's unusual two see two optimas fail like that. Good luck to you!

[Grench]

I've heard nothing but bad about the Optima Red tops.

However, I have heard only good about the Optima Yellow tops. I have three of these (D31A). No problems so far. (*knock on wood*)

YMMV. Mine sure does.

[tech_dog]

There's huge mixed info on Optimas.

I've got a pair of blue tops in a boat, and they've been solid for several years. Boats are pretty hard on batteries.

I believe that the blue tops are the same as the yellows, but with different terminals.

[corsair23]

I've sworn off Optimas as well. I've gone through 3 Red Tops in my 40, each time replaced under warranty. When I returned them no one mentioned the 24 hour trickle charge so if the "new" one fails I'll try that before returning.

Anyway, for my LX450 I went with the Exide Orbital 78DT based on several of the Rising Sun club members recommending it. Best price I found was on ebay (link) despite the $26 for shipping. Wally World wanted like $160 + tax for the same battery last I checked. I've had the battery in for about 4 months so I don't have a long term report for you. I will tell you though that the cables JUST barely reach the center mounted terminals.

Poser pic

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[MLX450]

Man, I hope my optima red top holds up! I got it at costco. They said i could return it if it fails within the 3 year warantee.