Time for a new battery

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KLF

KLF

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My 11-year old red-top Optima is on it's way out, I'm afraid. We had a really cold night last night (down to about 2 deg), and for the first time ever, the truck wouldn't start this afternoon. I put it on the charger for a few hours, it was drawing about 5-6 amps, which tells me it was pretty low. It did start on it's own this evening, but I'm guessing it will be dead again in the morning.

Not sure I wanna go with Optima again, I've been reading some negative posts about them recently. Maybe they've cleaned up their QA/QC lately. If I do, I may go with a yellow top this time.

Looking for other options, suggestions. Not going to Sears, WalMart, or AutoZone, no way.
 
i wish i could find another optima like my red top it had at least that much time on it, before it died, i kept it, i have two yellow tops, the one in my truck does great and is about 5 years old the one in my wifes 95 4runner/ now in her daily driver 99 prizum will barely start that little 4 banger and is only 3 years old.
 
I think the original Optima red top on my '86 truck was close to 14 years when it died.:eek: Bought and installed another including my '85 truck and have had to replace 'em every year.:frown: I agree that the quality is no longer there. I have heard great things about Odyssey batteries over at the 80 series forum and will probably look into 'em when the Optimas die again.:rolleyes::mad::)
 
Woody did meantion after SEMA that red tops was fixed according to the company......they made some change along the line(I think it was manfacturing?) and its resolved. If its true or not I dont know?

The best battery I have every had was a Napa battery.....that sucker sit for two years in a building without so much being touched then when I needed it.......it took right off.
 
I just traded the very old Optima in my FJ40 for a huge Sears Platinum Marine. That old Optima was at least 8 years old and turning over my 2FE with no problem. The 3 year old Optima in my 4Runner is already showing signs of weakness and it's now on the watch list. The older Optima batteries were great, the newer ones not so much. I do hope they fixed their problems.

When the 4Runner battery goes I will replace it with a Platinum Marine, damn the cost.
 
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After quite a few optimas over the last 12 years i'm done with them. Just turned one in to the junk yard for $3.50.

I put a NAPA Gold sealed MF in the 92 pu for half the price of an optima and it has been golden for the 3 years i've had it.

I will probably go with the Diehard Platinum in the 60, they seem to be the best now and are made by Oddysey.
 
raydouble said:
Any reason you wouldn't go to Sears?
Click to expand...

I hate Sears. They pissed me off 30 years ago and I really haven't forgiven them. But, I will buy their tools and their batteries. But nothing else.
 
Strange, I have almost the same story as everyone else......I bought two Optimas back in '99 and just sold the truck one was in last year with it still cranking fine, retired the other when my power windows got too slow. then bought one for my wife's new rig and in two years, It wouldn't start.....popped the hood to wiggle the terminals and the negative terminal broke off in my hand. Was in the middle of nowhere when that happened, had to use my pop-up camper's battery to drive home.

Seems to me they went down when they changed the design to incorporate the side terminals. Oh well, bought two more last year, will have to see how they do. :meh:

I don't see how anyone can run a lead acid battery in a rig that sees regular wheeling at any angle but flat, too much acid spilling going on.
 
Well, the damned truck fired right up today like normal, after going down to about 8 deg last night. Maybe it was a false alarm.

I did a search on the Optima website for a local dealer, besides the usual AutoZones they listed a local off road shop not far from here (Archie's Off Road in Wells ME) that I forgot about, they have a good reputation. I called them and had a good talk with the nice lady on the phone, she says they highly recommend the yellow tops, never get them back, quality is right up there. I think if this battery is really done, I may go that way.

My son used to work at Sears Auto. Amazing stories with their disposable batteries. No thanks. I'll buy their hand tools but that's about it. Their power tools are terrible, and their outdoor power equipment is even worse. I learned my lesson... never again.
 
black95 said:
Seems to me they went down when they changed the design to incorporate the side terminals.
Click to expand...

My 11 year old battery has both the top and side terminals.

Even more interesting: my car still has it's original factory Lexus battery. Not sure if it has anything to do with it, but it has an insulation jacket around it. I'm sure living in a garage every night also helps.
 
cruiser88 said:
:confused:you own a Geo?
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technically it is a Chevy prism, i do not know when the removed Geo and started calling them Chevys. but it is a Toyota corolla, but they did disable the Toyota diagnostic terminal. it was my wifes mothers car my wife got it when her mom passed, it only had 12,000 on it then now it is pushing 300,000.
 
KLF said:
Well, the damned truck fired right up today like normal, after going down to about 8 deg last night. Maybe it was a false alarm.

I did a search on the Optima website for a local dealer, besides the usual AutoZones they listed a local off road shop not far from here (Archie's Off Road in Wells ME) that I forgot about, they have a good reputation. I called them and had a good talk with the nice lady on the phone, she says they highly recommend the yellow tops, never get them back, quality is right up there. I think if this battery is really done, I may go that way.

My son used to work at Sears Auto. Amazing stories with their disposable batteries. No thanks. I'll buy their hand tools but that's about it. Their power tools are terrible, and their outdoor power equipment is even worse. I learned my lesson... never again.
Click to expand...

I replaced the battery in my 4Runner 2 years ago with an Optima yellow top. It lasted a couple of months and was replaced. That one lasted a couple of weeks and was replaced with a red top (and they refunded me the difference). It took 3 red tops before I found one that lasted more than a few weeks. Thankfully the one that is in it now seems to be doing great.

I think I will get a Sear's plantinum (rebadged Odyssey) when I need a new battery for the 80 (and it's going to need one soon). The guys in the 80 forum seem to be having really good luck with them.
 
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