Optima Battery worth the $$$?

[Heckraiser]

So both my rigs need new batteries. The mini has an Interstate that should be on warranty, but the Cruiser has some bargain-basement junk that isn't worth anything.

I was thinking an Optima Yellow Top would be ideal for my needs since the truck sits for long periods and I sometimes like to run the headlights or stereo while I set up camp (i.e. I drain a battery a lot between charges). The cheapest I could find one was around $215, or roughly double the cost of a Vato-zone/Napa cheapy. I've seen a fair amount of these batteries on the forum, so I guess I'd just like you to chime in with your experience and opinion. I don't mind the cost if this battery will last a good 5 years with my usage. The purpose of this thread is to convince the as much as myself.

Thanks!

 

[Estancio]

Have no experience with Yellows, but the Red Tops lasted me 12 years. I just bought 2nd pair last fall. Paid about $150 each. Worth every dollar in my opinion.

 

[kling-on]

I love mine all my rigs have reds I plan on yellows in the BJ42 but may do reds .... It's a 50/50 alot of guys hate em just as many love-em

 

[Wheelingnoob]

I love mine all my rigs have reds I plan on yellows in the BJ42 but may do reds .... It's a 50/50 alot of guys hate em just as many love-em

I would not put Optimas in your 24V BJ42 (if its 24V) they do not like being in a 24V system. There quite a long thread on it in the Coastal Cruisers Clubhouse Forum. Just and FYI so you do not get burned.

I have not had any good experiences with the Optima Red and Blues I have had. I would spend the money on Odyssey's (same as the Diehard Platnums for sears) though.

 

[kling-on]

Ya I had a thread in the diesel section about it as well and also got a 50/50 responce cause of the 24 volt most said the yellows were better.. But I don't know .. Biggest thing to remember is a gell battery takes a special battery charger to recharge most don't have one and fry it tring to re charge it

 

[Heckraiser]

Biggest thing to remember is a gell battery takes a special battery charger to recharge most don't have one and fry it tring to re charge it

Is this the case with an optima yellow top? With a lot of under-used vehicles in the yard, I tend to do a lot of jump-starting. Would that cause me any grief?

 

[Heckraiser]

I would spend the money on Odyssey's (same as the Diehard Platnums for sears) though.

Hmmm. The Diehard Platinum seems to have slightly better specs and there's a sears right up the street. Anybody else run this battery?

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

 

[kling-on]

Is this the case with an optima yellow top? With a lot of under-used vehicles in the yard, I tend to do a lot of jump-starting. Would that cause me any grief?

NOPE... only using a battery charger


I like the gells better cause the acid from other eat my truck

 

[tclark]

I just installed a Diehard Platinum a few months ago so no real experience yet, but I will say when researching I don't thing I read a single bad review on them

 

[Lost]

i had a d31 yellow top when my truck was a fj62, it worked out really well. ive read that the new optimas are made in mexico...anyways they can be had at walmart for ~200 for the d29 red tops...

my d31 cost somewhere near 350$

maybe look into sears odysee bateries, ive heard good things.

 

[1911]

Sears Die-hard Platinum is a great deal for a re-badged Odyssey, I run them in both of my trucks. Terrific batteries.

 

[oleblue62]

I was talking to a guy at one of the autoparts stores who sells the optimas, and he said they got a new owner fairly recently and its been down hill since then. He sells them and he suggested I buy a cheaper battery. Interesting experience, I've never been talked down by a sales associate before.

.02

 

[sl33py]

So both my rigs need new batteries. The mini has an Interstate that should be on warranty, but the Cruiser has some bargain-basement junk that isn't worth anything.

I was thinking an Optima Yellow Top would be ideal for my needs since the truck sits for long periods and I sometimes like to run the headlights or stereo while I set up camp (i.e. I drain a battery a lot between charges). The cheapest I could find one was around $215, or roughly double the cost of a Vato-zone/Napa cheapy. I've seen a fair amount of these batteries on the forum, so I guess I'd just like you to chime in with your experience and opinion. I don't mind the cost if this battery will last a good 5 years with my usage. The purpose of this thread is to convince the as much as myself.

Thanks!

I got a blue top from costco for about 150 a year or two back. just got new batt for GF's corolla and saw they were still about the same price.

worth 200... not so sure, but 150 i thought was fair.

 

[Bret]

I had a yelow die unexpectedly (was running 2 in parallel) and it discharged the other one, removed them and one recovered a little bit but the other one was dead, had a friend stranded with another yellow top, at the end of the day it is personal choice, but so far I have been very happy with the dual platinums. The platinums seem to have a bit more steam then my Optimas did, but it has been awhile so the comparison is really moot. Ask in a few years to make sure though.

I got them at a "friends and family" Sunday and saved an addtional 10%.

 

[klinetime574]

I have had an older Optima Red Top for years.

Buy from a reputable business like Summit, they have replaced my brothers newer Red Top once already. Completely free of charge.

Good batteries

 

[Spike Strip]

Better:

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

 

[rx7turbo2]

It's been said in this thread already but it's worth saying again.

Optima's are NOT the battery they used to be. Not even close! Optima tried desperately to get their products on to the shelves of Walmart, Costco etc. In order to do that they needed to drop the price to these distributors drastically. In order to do this the quality of the construction took a major hit.

Take a look at Odyssey Batteries. 99.99% virgin pure lead plates. These battery's kick major butt.
ODYSSEY Batteries - Official Manufacturer's Site

 

[Benjaman]

Hmmm. The Diehard Platinum seems to have slightly better specs and there's a sears right up the street. Anybody else run this battery?

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

Fantastic Battery! Total top quality!

 

[itb73]

I was talking to a guy at one of the autoparts stores who sells the optimas, and he said they got a new owner fairly recently and its been down hill since then. He sells them and he suggested I buy a cheaper battery. Interesting experience, I've never been talked down by a sales associate before.

.02

Heard the same thing last week.

 

[augirthedude]

Having to depend on few (28) batteries around work ( used for Back up Aux diesel engines and control voltage back up in case of power failures for Ski lifts) ... My experience with gel cells has been all bad. I would buy lead -acid batteries every time. Why ? Because they work and it is old PROVEN technology. If you have to mount your battery on its side then maybe an Optima is for you . Me .... I'm sticking with the old reliable.....Interstate Batteries