Red Top Optima battery - 80 series?

[CodyRx7]

Well, I was happy with the red top battery I got until I just tried to install it 5 minutes ago.

The terminals are basically backwards as compared to the 80's battery.

I tried to install it and just pull the cables through the little battery wall a bit more, but they won't reach that far.

A few questions -

Is there a Red Top where the terminals are on the opposite sides?

What are the extra little circles towards the back of the battery? Are those for installing other posts?

 

[CodyRx7]

D'oh...

Negative on the 2nd question...looks like its some resealable pressure relief valve..

 

[FJason80]

You have to special order them. The product number has an "R" in it for Reverse Terminals.

 

[george_tlc]

The cables WILL reach to a Red top - IF you unwind some of the insulation on the cables and fusible link 'stuff' and pull it into the battery tray area - i.e. there is enough slack there.

Been running a Red top as the main for a few years now. The only thing I did was replace the ground cable to the block with a beefier unit when I installed an m12k winch.

cheers,
george.

 

[-Spike-]

The standard Red Top will fit usually, you need to feed the fusible links and whatnot into the tray area. I have had to reroute one or both of the cables (can't remember, probably the negative) to get some extra slack. My wife's truck's red Optima came with a little pedestal to raise it about an inch, not sure if it's necessary. The Blue top (the one to get IMO) fit in my truck and Thanatoz's without the pedestal. Don't try to install the battery with the terminals close to the wire inlets, install it with the negative terminal towards the driver's side and route the wires over the top of the battery.

-Spike

 

[Grench]

I've not owned any Red top Optimas. I've heard way too many bad things about them.

Yellow tops, I have 3 of. D31A -The posts are centered front to back on the battery.

From what I can tell, you're better off with Yellow or Blue tops. Specific? Yellow D31A or Blue M31. Same battery. The blue has an extra set of posts.

I understand the military has been buying up all of these big deep cycle starters so the price is stupid right now. YMMV.

 

[Hants]

I was able to reroute the cables to fit my 27F AGM battery. On the positive cables, I released the harness clip right behind the battery tray. On the positive cable, I disconnected the body ground. Then I un-twisted the bundles from each other and everything fit fine (a bit tight, but not stretched.

I still need to re-connect the body ground.

 

[CodyRx7]

Thanks guys...I snipped the zip tie type thing holding the cables together and pulled the extra junk on the positive side through the holes in the battery tray, so now I got it all connected up.

I was figuring on getting the yellow top for when I do the dual battery setup.

Would there be any reason I wouldn't want a redtop as my main battery and a yellow top as the secondary battery?

 

[Grench]

Thanks guys...I snipped the zip tie type thing holding the cables together and pulled the extra junk on the positive side through the holes in the battery tray, so now I got it all connected up.

I was figuring on getting the yellow top for when I do the dual battery setup.

Would there be any reason I wouldn't want a redtop as my main battery and a yellow top as the secondary battery?

Not all Yellow Tops are created equal. Look on Optima's site. Pay special attention to 'starting rated' and compare the D31 line to the regular YTs. Different rating and different warranty.

 

[619TOY]

I understand the military has been buying up all of these big deep cycle starters so the price is stupid right now. YMMV.

I haven't had any problems ( and I get them for a rediculously low price)

Would there be any reason I wouldn't want a redtop as my main battery and a yellow top as the secondary battery?

No problem. Two things you shouldn't do: 1. Mix Optimas with standard lead acid batteries. 2. Let a red top be drained completely. this is what starts the chain reaction that give's them the bad reviews you've heard of.

 

[MLX450]

Optima red fits, if you extend the positive cable into the tray. Don't forget the adapter that comes with the battery.

 

[eurorom]

I have the yellow top, however I just turn it on one of the sides and it works great!

 

[619TOY]

Very interesting. Definately one of the advantages of an AGM battery. Just don't hook up a winch to those terminals

 

[97 FZJ80]

The reverse terminal Red Top is model 34R - the "R" is for the reverse terminal. I have the Orange Top, which was the predecessor of the Red Top 34R. It was a drop in replacement.

 

[Beowulf]

Would there be any reason I wouldn't want a redtop as my main battery and a yellow top as the secondary battery?

Depends on how you design your dual battery system. Many of us have selected the "backup battery" wiring option. In this configuration, the primary battery should be a deep cycle like the Optima Yellow Top and the secondary battery (i.e. backup battery) can be a regular starting battery like the Optima Red Top. The system will keep the backup battery charged all the time and isolated from all loads so it can never be drained in normal operation (i.e. switch set to auto.) In the event that you leave your fridge on for a 3 day camping trip then the deep cycle might get fully discharged and your backup battery is fresh and ready to start your truck when called on.

-B-

 

[corsair23]

Very interesting. Definately one of the advantages of an AGM battery. Just don't hook up a winch to those terminals

I've heard that before as well.

Not sure if it is still taboo to do on an Optima but when I asked the tech folk at Exide if it was acceptable to do so on an Exide Orbital (what I went with due to my experiences with Optimas) they said no problem.

I know on the Optimas at one time (maybe still) the side terminal straps were of a thinner metal than that for the top terminals. Per Exide that is not the case on the Orbitals.

 

[619TOY]

Yeah, when I went to Optima school, we tore one apart. The side posts are linked to the top posts via a relatively small bridge of lead.

 

[Cruiser_Nut]

Yeah, when I went to Optima school, we tore one apart. The side posts are linked to the top posts via a relatively small bridge of lead.

So is the Orbital brand the same way. From comments above it seems they claim no problem. anyone know for sure?

 

[corsair23]

So is the Orbital brand the same way. From comments above it seems they claim no problem. anyone know for sure?

According to Exide no. You may want to call them yourself though. I asked the guy numerous times to make sure he and I were on the same page before doing this: (note I have not done any heavy winching yet so the true test remains to be done)

.

 

[-Spike-]

Those are the side posts. The posts on the Optima are not intended for full load, they are 1/4-20 threaded studs coming off the top of the battery for use with a trolling motor or something. I would seriously hope you could pull full load off the side posts, they're intended as the main attachment point.

-Spike