Worst Battery Ever - Optima

[Zhenya]

I bounced back and forth between an optima, a diehard platinum and other stuff, all $$$.

At the end, I went to my local costco and got the correct wetcell battery.

You know why? It's costco, they stand behind their stuff, and the rest of Kirkland is great quality.

 

[TS888]

I'm confused -- you're angry because the company will not honor an expired warranty, when the product performed for the life of the warranty? The purpose of a warranty is to assure the buyer receives value from a purchase for a specific period of time. Not really a big surprise that Optima isn't offering you anything after the warranty has expired. Batteries are consumables, they are not expected to last forever.

It also helps to use the right product for the right purpose.

Optima red -- good all purpose starting battery.
Optima yellow -- good for running accessories like fridge, etc. and as extra capacity for a winch or other heavy electrical load -- not the best choice for a starting battery.
Optima blue -- marine deep cycle -- not a starting battery at all.

I used reds for starting batteries for a long time, had good luck. The one in my old Jetta was over 5 years old when I sold the car, still going strong. Used a yellow as a second battery in my 2 battery system to run the fridge, radio, etc. It worked well.

I have an Interstate in my LC, and it works well.

If I had $$$ to burn, I'd run Odyssey batteries. They kick ass and take names.

 

[Mark W]

I have used a number of Optimas in a number of different rigs No venting and able to be mounted in any position is really the only thing that sets them apart from any run of the mill battery.

I have become a recent fan of interstate batteries. I have one in the Load star that is at least 12 years old. It can sit unstarted through an entire Alaska winter and still turn the engine over in spring. I have treated it this way for several years now.I have two in the diesel suburban that are at least ten years old. The rig sat and was only started once every 6 months months for at least 8 years straight. Once put back into service they are in apparently perfect shape. I had one of unknown age come in in a sad and neglected parts rig, sit ignored for a year and when spring rolled around again, it spun the 454 like it was a 22r with a freshly charged battery. That was about 5 years ago and I am still using that battery in one of my vehicles

Every interstate i have dealt with over the years has performed well beyond what I have come to expect out of any other battery. For long life and for taking neglect and abuse, you can not beat them.


Mark...

 

[Captain Caveman]

Optima blue -- marine deep cycle -- not a starting battery at all.

Actually, they are (or were anyway) marketed as a combo deep cycle/starting battery with excellent vibration resistance. Hence the higher than normal deep cycle cca rating. At least that was the literature when I purchased them in 9/09.

My experience going into my fourth winter with two parallel blue tops has been exceptional. Plenty of umph to run the glow screen and start the 13bt in sub zero temps.

Perhaps the bigger issue that people are having is related to the anemic charging systems in these vehicles. Specifically, a 10ga wire as a charge lead off the alt. Now that I have a better alt, and 4ga wiring my electrical system works better as a whole. I honestly think our old charging systems are miserable at maintaining AGM batteries. From my experience, the charge voltage was way to low.

 

[redpim1]

The only ones I have had any luck with are the blue tops. I have about 10 of them on different things and have had great service out of them as long as they are kept on a tender when storing the unit they are on.

 

[djawahir]

TS888, you should read up on Optima's before you go off on your rant. My yellowtop was a Starting & Deep Cycle, which to me means that I should be able to start and deep cycle it. So it was used as directed. I take it that when your car gives up the ghost after the 50,000 mile warranty is up, you've got no qualms?

I've used the Optima battery in both starting and deep cycle fashions (mostly for starting, though) and charged the battery according to spec, sometimes with a trickle charger. Am I pissed off that they wouldn't warranty a 3 year battery? No, I expected it. But when it craps out 3 weeks after the warranty is up, it's a little upsetting. I expect more from a $200 battery.

I bought a DieHard Platinum again because the warranty is solid. I've had good luck with the DieHard batteries in the past, so I gave them a shot again.

Elbert (or anyone else) are you sure I have to run the same capacity batteries on a dual battery setup? I've got the Hellroaring setup and everything is powered off the main battery. The spare battery is used for emergency start. Is this true?

To address the Captain Caveman, I've got the chevy one-wire alternator and a beefed up 8AWG wire to the battery. It puts out 13.8V charging, and I hope that's enough for the AGM batteries!

 

[MANUCHAO]

retire that battery... to the garage..or recycle it...
get an Odyssey n move on...
I bought a second battery 2xtreme.... its an exact copy of the Odyssey but gives you 5 years on some sort of warranty...and it was about $100 cheaper than the Odyssey... we'll see how both batteries do down the road.........

 

[Welltech]

Got this from a tread by anoher member in the 80 Series section.

$45.99 for a NEW battery - advance auto parts
I just scored a battery at Advance Auto Parts for my LX450. Picked up an Autocraft Gold size 27 battery with 710CCA and 165 reserve capacity. Battery has a 3yr no questions asked warranty.

Here's how to do it:

1) go to: www.advanceautoparts.com
2) select the battery of choice - in my case Autocraft Gold 27F-1
3) apply promo code "A124." Price will drop from $110.99 to $70.99 + $12 core
4) after you pick up your battery at the store, go to: https://advanceautoparts.4myrebate.com/
5) select "claim/find rebate" and enter code: "AAP-10020" and fill out the form accordingly to redeem a $25 gift card.

I haven't received the gift card yet, but if I do, the total cost for the battery will only be $45.99+tax. If I don't receive the gift card in a few weeks this deal is only for $70.99. Still, not that bad.

 

[lcwizard]

retire that battery... to the garage..or recycle it...
get an Odyssey n move on...
I bought a second battery 2xtreme.... its an exact copy of the Odyssey but gives you 5 years on some sort of warranty...and it was about $100 cheaper than the Odyssey... we'll see how both batteries do down the road.........

I just bought a platinum Die Hard...the sears guy said they are built for them by Odyssey. They also sell Odyssey. Other than the color they sure look identical just 120.00 less expensive

 

[Godwin]

I just bought a platinum Die Hard...the sears guy said they are built for them by Odyssey. They also sell Odyssey. Other than the color they sure look identical just 120.00 less expensive

A bunch of info on these in the 80 series forum.

 

[Spook50]

C-Tek charger

Is this the one you guys are talking about? http://www.amazon.com/Multi-12-Volt-Smart-Battery-Charger/dp/B000FQBWCY/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp

I've got an 8 year-old yellow top in my 62 now and would like to keep it in as good of shape as I can for as long as possible before having to swap it out.

 

[djawahir]

I've got an 8 year-old yellow top in my 62 now and would like to keep it in as good of shape as I can for as long as possible before having to swap it out.

I wish I had an 8 year old yellowtop. They sure don't make them like they used to...

 

[rmblaire]

I have 2 red tops in my diesel and one in my 60. The diesel ones have been drained, dropped and one was shorted out in another vehicle and melted the negative side terminal clean out of it. I have never had any problems. This type of thing is all about personal experience and could easily become a Ford vs. Chevy argument. As far as customer service and honoring a warranty, they all suck in my opinion.

 

[ca62cruzr]

Headed this weekend to get a diehard Platinum, moving the yellow top to the soon to be installed second position for my 62. Going with a group 65.

 

[TROUTER]

I own 5 Optima batteries. 3 Blue Tops in my boat and 1 Red Top in my Cruiser and 1 in my Tundra. I love them. I did have one Blue Top on my boat went bad before the 2 yr warranty expired. I took it back with my receipt to the NAPA I bought it from. Walked out with a new one for free in a few minutes. 1 out of 6 ain't that bad. I think there are just a few duds out there. Work 'em hard and if they make the 2yr mark you got your money worth. One trick is to have them tested just before the 2ry warranty. If it the cranking amps suck, ask for a new one.

 

[TS888]

TS888, you should read up on Optima's before you go off on your rant. My yellowtop was a Starting & Deep Cycle, which to me means that I should be able to start and deep cycle it. So it was used as directed. I take it that when your car gives up the ghost after the 50,000 mile warranty is up, you've got no qualms?

I've used the Optima battery in both starting and deep cycle fashions (mostly for starting, though) and charged the battery according to spec, sometimes with a trickle charger. Am I pissed off that they wouldn't warranty a 3 year battery? No, I expected it. But when it craps out 3 weeks after the warranty is up, it's a little upsetting. I expect more from a $200 battery.

I have "read up", and have contacts in the industry (there's a battery pun in there...), and despite what the marketing says, yellow tops are not ideal as a starting battery. They're no the worst, they will serve. Three years is pretty good, most people pass that milestone on the second one.

I am happy to say I will never have to decide how to react if my car dies after the warranty expires. I've never bought a new car, and never will. I like to let someone else take the depreciation beating.

And that was no rant... That wasn't even a rant warm up. Feel free to give me the Mud salute but don't expect me to hold my tongue. I adhere to a strict policy of speaking my mind.

Elbert (or anyone else) are you sure I have to run the same capacity batteries on a dual battery setup? I've got the Hellroaring setup and everything is powered off the main battery. The spare battery is used for emergency start. Is this true?

In my experience, a Hellroaring or National Luna system can deal with different batteries. I paired a lead acid with a spiral AGM with a Hellroaring and never had a glitch in over two years of heavy use. I install NL's regularly with mis-matched batteries and have no complaints. With a simple relay isolator it's probably safer to match the batteries.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

I just bought a platinum Die Hard...the sears guy said they are built for them by Odyssey. They also sell Odyssey. Other than the color they sure look identical just 120.00 less expensive

my next battery purchase as well for my truggy.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

I am on my second Optima red top in my truck (FJ40, original stock 76 alternator). First one was bought in 2000 and went bad about 3 years in (I had a 5 year extended warranty). The replacement has been in the truck ever since and since I removed the source of a voltage leak (a radio with kludged together wiring that I couldn't hear anyhow) the battery hasn't had any difficulties holding a charge over long periods with cold weather where the truck is just sitting.

I think that since I bought my optimia, the manufacturing was moved elsewhere (likely for cheaper labor) and the quality decreased significantly -either poorer manufacturing methods and equipment were used or quality assurance has decreased.

In any case, when the time comes to replace the battery in my 'Cruiser or Tacoma, I am going to look elsewhere for a new battery.

 

[EOE_overland]

In my experience, a Hellroaring or National Luna system can deal with different batteries. I paired a lead acid with a spiral AGM with a Hellroaring and never had a glitch in over two years of heavy use. I install NL's regularly with mis-matched batteries and have no complaints. With a simple relay isolator it's probably safer to match the batteries.

Agreed.
In an ideal world, batteries connected together in any system would be all the same type, size, color, and flavor. Will two batts, for example the lead acid and AGM, live happily enough together in peace and charging harmony for a reasonable life expectancy...sure. It mainly depends on how much you lay out on the batteries to begin with. Any system with batteries charging and discharging (series or parallel) should be as balanced as possible for best results. For example, if someone has a red top start battery and a marine lead acid Group 31 deep cycle for acc, those will discharge at different rates and charge at completely different rates. The start battery will be recharged by the alt ten mins after heading home, while the DC will take the whole drive home to fully recharge. The problem there is overcharging the start battery. Normal driving around town will overcharge the acc battery.
That being said, will it shorten the life of a battery to connect them (in any way) if they aren't the same everything. Yes. Make a big difference for most automotive batteries and applications....not really.
Big no-no's are: 1) connecting a gel cell batt to a system with anything other than more gels, and a charging system configured for lower charging voltage, 2) well, that's the big one. Technically AGMs and lead acids shouldn't be used together, but everyone does and it works out fine. Specs show their charging voltage is the same until you get above 70F usually, then the AGM is happier at a slightly lower voltage (14.1ish) than a lead acid.

 

[EOE_overland]

TS888, you should read up on Optima's before you go off on your rant. My yellowtop was a Starting & Deep Cycle, which to me means that I should be able to start and deep cycle it.

As mentioned, red is best for starting; blue for long slow loads. And yellow is billed as good for both. As the old saying goes, Jack of all trades and master of none. A battery that can start well enough and deep cycle well enough is a compromise and therefore not really good at either. Yellows work well enough for putting two together for a light dual-purpose type expo rig. I had two in my little Land Rover years ago. Started the little 2.5L no problem. Ran my stereo and lights longer than if I didn't have them. But don't expect to start a larger motor in cold temps for years, and to run to min operating voltage with a fridge, PIAA lights, and HAM transmitter every weekend for years. Theyre not designed for it. They're designed to handle a little of each, if that makes sense.