Sears Platinum is a re-badged Odyssey. Sears DH Plat came out on top recently, in a Offroad batt test, but I can't find the article.
Optima Battery worth the $$$?
- Thread starter Heckraiser
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I've had meny wet cells die within 4 years of new. They most often lose a cell, making it a 10 volt battery. I'm sure the hard core rock crawling had some effect.
I have a dead blue top and a dead red top in my garage as we speak. The Blue top survived 3 seasons in my FJ-40 with a lot of discharging. The red top is complete s*** and didn't make it a year in my FJ62. I have an old Die HArd in my 62 now that is still ticking away.
I have 4 optmias (3 yellow,1red) and 1 die hard plat and I have had to have 3 of the optmias replaced because they wouldn't hold a charge. the one that hasn't needed to be replaced is a 10 year old red top. I will not buy another Optima. I will stick with sears die hards from now on.
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I keep hearing Gel battery and Optima (an AGM battery) used interchangeably, they are NOT the same things.
AGMs have different characteristics than gelled electrolyte batteries.
Here's some light reading for you:
http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0139.pdf
As far as AGM batteries vs. flooded batteries - it really depends on what you want to do with them. I've had both very good and very bad experiences with AGM, but I can also say the same thing about flooded batteries.
~John
AGMs have different characteristics than gelled electrolyte batteries.
Here's some light reading for you:
http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0139.pdf
As far as AGM batteries vs. flooded batteries - it really depends on what you want to do with them. I've had both very good and very bad experiences with AGM, but I can also say the same thing about flooded batteries.
~John
I put a Sears Platinum p-2 - group 65 in my FJ62 (replacing a group 27 that was in there). The battery is a rebranded Odyssey (military grade): weighs 60 lbs and has 930 cca 
Best damn battery I have ever owned... hands-down!
Best damn battery I have ever owned... hands-down!
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I've had a red top in my 60 for a year. It sits for long periods (several weeks) outside without being started, including during this year's bitterly cold winter. Never had an issue. I would have gone with the die hard platinum, but there's no sears anywhere nearby. I've got no regrets on the Optima thus far.
- Thread starter
- #28
Well, based on the responses in this thread (and the fact that Sears is 10 minutes from my house), I went out and got the DieHard Platinum. There seem to be mixed opinions on the Optima, but pretty consistent good reviews on the DH Platinum. The DieHard also seems to have a better warranty and I've always had good luck exchanging broken tools, etc at Sears.
I kill a lot of batteries (including 3 Interstates in the last 3 years, thank god for that warranty), so I'll try to remember to bump this thread in a year or two and let you know how it held up.
I kill a lot of batteries (including 3 Interstates in the last 3 years, thank god for that warranty), so I'll try to remember to bump this thread in a year or two and let you know how it held up.
FWIW - I've got a brain fart for leaving my lights on ... With the DH, I've walked outside after 8 hrs of lights left on (65w H4 Osrams) and the truck cranks right over.
I'll never put a different battery in a 4x4.
I'll never put a different battery in a 4x4.
I read the same thing in the Fall 2010 Overland Journal. They decided the Sears Platnium was both their Value and Editor's Choice. I'm going with that recomendation when mine finally kicks the bucket.
HA! Thanks, Bak - couldn't remember where I had read it (too much gas fumes, I guess... )
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/
i was given six of these AGM absorbed glas mat batteries from a electric car they were 2 yrs old when i got them and i have run them for 6 yrs with out one problem AGM batteries like to charge hot and heavy so if it is nearly dead i charge them @200 amps for 1 hr then drop down to trickle. to top off cells i have two on my airboat two in my dually diesel one in my bmw and one in my dd f150 my lc has a older red top optima i have heard bad things about the newer optimas
i was given six of these AGM absorbed glas mat batteries from a electric car they were 2 yrs old when i got them and i have run them for 6 yrs with out one problem AGM batteries like to charge hot and heavy so if it is nearly dead i charge them @200 amps for 1 hr then drop down to trickle. to top off cells i have two on my airboat two in my dually diesel one in my bmw and one in my dd f150 my lc has a older red top optima i have heard bad things about the newer optimas
I had been a long time user of Optimas. In the old days, they performed awesome and lasted forever. However, the last ones I purchased didn't last at all. Won't but one of those again.
When the last of my Optimas died, I went with a Seard Diehard Platinum. That was about 2 years ago. It has been perfect. I'll be going with these from now on. They are awesome.
When the last of my Optimas died, I went with a Seard Diehard Platinum. That was about 2 years ago. It has been perfect. I'll be going with these from now on. They are awesome.
