Issues with Optima Batteries..?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Deer Park, N.Y.
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 z-28/SFC/bilsteins/adj.arms
Engine: 355sbc/Demon650dp/hedmanheaders/
Transmission: t-5, alum DS
Axle/Gears: 3.42 torsen posi, baer discs
Issues with Optima Batteries..?
>I'm thinking of getting an Optima yellow top battery and relocating it in the well of the rear hatch area. I'm choosing it mainly because the dry cell won't have gas venting issues as with normal wet cells. Is there anything else I should know about?
#3
Re: Issues with Optima Batteries..?
I've had two Optimas die on me.
One was a Yellow Top in my K5 Blazer. I think that one was my own fault though. I had a relay that was staying energized when the key was off....draining the battery. In it's defense, once I charged it up it would work. Provided I drove it daily to keep it charged.
The other was a Red Top in my Grand Cherokee. I bought it in November and it died in January. I have no idea why it died. The battery I replaced lasted 5 years...and the new one is doing just fine. No electrical drains and this is my DD in the winter months.
I've heard that Optima has got some qaulity control issues. Even though Interstate owns them now, and Interstate makes a good battery. I know I've seen links to other peoples problems with them too. If you like, I could probably find them.
One was a Yellow Top in my K5 Blazer. I think that one was my own fault though. I had a relay that was staying energized when the key was off....draining the battery. In it's defense, once I charged it up it would work. Provided I drove it daily to keep it charged.
The other was a Red Top in my Grand Cherokee. I bought it in November and it died in January. I have no idea why it died. The battery I replaced lasted 5 years...and the new one is doing just fine. No electrical drains and this is my DD in the winter months.
I've heard that Optima has got some qaulity control issues. Even though Interstate owns them now, and Interstate makes a good battery. I know I've seen links to other peoples problems with them too. If you like, I could probably find them.
#4
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Augusta, Ga
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 355ci L98 soon to be turbo'd
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi
Re: Issues with Optima Batteries..?
my Optima Red Top has been working fine for almost a year...
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: south of kansas city
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 86 berlinetta 92rs gfx
Engine: 4 bolt 384 stroker
Transmission: th350 4000 stall manual/T brake
Axle/Gears: 87 iroc 9 bolt
Re: Issues with Optima Batteries..?
i have a friend who has a yellow top that crapped out on him after a few months. i was going to buy one anyways, but the guy at the parts store said they where crap too, and recomended one of these, thing works pretty damn good, on a full charge it was run with no alternator for about 45 mins and 3 starting cycles. could of prolly ran it longer, but didnt feel like getting stranded.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/Produ...¤tPage=0
http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/Produ...¤tPage=0
#7
Re: Issues with Optima Batteries..?
I've purchased 2 brand new red top optimas .. 1 went bad after a year and they replaced it FREE.. but both are running strong. 800 + cold cranking amps.. yeah baby !!! I cant afford them now, they are selling for 150+ . I purchased mine when they were 109.
I found a place here that sells "refurbished optimas for 50 bucks...!! I've purchased 3 more from them and had 1 go bad on me
I found a place here that sells "refurbished optimas for 50 bucks...!! I've purchased 3 more from them and had 1 go bad on me
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bremerton, WA
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1992 RS / 1989 RS
Engine: 3.1L MFI / Vortec 383 TBI
Transmission: T5 / LS-T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open / 3.73 Eaton posi
Re: Issues with Optima Batteries..?
I have a yellow top up front and one in the rear for my stereo, I've had both for 3+ years and no problems whatsoever. The one up front replaced a red top I had for several years with no problems, that one went to another 3rd gen owner- he hasn't said anything about it yet.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Deer Park, N.Y.
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1983 z-28/SFC/bilsteins/adj.arms
Engine: 355sbc/Demon650dp/hedmanheaders/
Transmission: t-5, alum DS
Axle/Gears: 3.42 torsen posi, baer discs
Re: Issues with Optima Batteries..?
Besides dying....has any of your units leaked at all? Any produce that white powdered stuff on the terminals? They're supposed to be dry cells so I was thinking of them for the rear hatch area....don't want any acid corrosion there! Oh, and what size did you guys get? Is the 51 too small or is the 34/78 the one to get? Thanks, guys.
Last edited by wdigitog; 02-17-2009 at 07:06 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post