Optima batteries - blue top versus red top

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Bloomer

Bloomer

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Was checking on batteries today at SAMS club and saw the blue top starter and a second blue top one that carried a higher rated RC. The blue top starter battery has the same ratings as the red top starter; only difference between the two appears to be the extra posts. Oh, and the blue top was $20 cheaper at $180.

I read in another post the auxiliary posts cannot take the load of a winch, per Optima guidance. While not able to take the load of a winch, I assume the 5/16 studs are capable of handling auxiliary lights?

Any benefit to using the blue top starter battery over the red top? I can perhaps see a use for the extra posts for lighting but not sure if there's any real need to go with a marine grade versus the standard red top starter. Any opinions or experience good or bad?

Any reason not too?

Thanks for any input.
 
Yellow, either way...far more discharge cycles...I run Yellows all around

...and resist the dual post or side-terminal option...get standard round top posts that match your polarity...use military terminals to connect more wires.
 
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Military terminals? NAPA, McMaster Carr, and dozens of other outlets...Google search should net dozens of options. Expect about $10ea or less. Last time I ordered was 5 neg and 5 pos.
 
It's "encouraged" to install dual batteries at the same time, ie: similar age. If nothing else, the same type (both Yellow) - it's also an opportunity to switch positions (primary to secondary). I run dual Yellow's in my 80 and a single yellow in the GX. (and a hand-me-down Blue in the 60, but only since it was laying around...)

Winch goes to PRIMARY battery, not secondary...isolators don't handle the winch draw. Secondary is for lights, fridge, etc type accessories.

Yellows are slightly less CCA (but still plenty) but are designed to be discharged completely FAR more times than a Red...believe it's 20x more cycles. 3yr warranty is the same on each.



Storytime: Our alt died last night in the GX about 10 minutes before we arrived in Zion to meet @Mace for dinner...entire dash christmas tree, refused to start once we stopped. Used my ChargeIt Jump box to restart when we left (9p) and drove 45 minutes on battery alone (with lights on)...a battery that wouldn't start the car. Stopped in the drive and the added power draw of the brake lights killed the car :) That yellow is on an Optima charger now getting a boost. (fortunately, our friends we are staying with had the Optima charger, which is specifically designed for Optima/Odyssey and similar batteries)

Very impressed that it got us home...and also impressed with the ChargeIt Jump
 
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