Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

http://www.sc3g.org/thetrack/viewtopic.php?t=119

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

Count me in. Allen

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

The usual suspects will be there.

Lon

BretD 88GTA

I will try to be there.

Grey Goose

Wow! I cant believe the last time I drove it was the last meeting…I hope it’ll start.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

I hope you don't have an Optima red-top battery. Good luck.

Lon

Grey Goose

You know…I honestly don’t know what type of battery it is…but I bet the poor bastard that left his car unlocked does.

BretD 88GTA

Did someone have trouble with their Optima?

langss

Yes by all means speak up. Thats what I was planning on buying for my SS. I have to move it this weekend,and I'm expecting the original battery to fail.

cali92RS

Mexican discount...

BretD 88GTA

FWIW, my Optima red tops have been very reliable. They are geat batteries IMHO.

Grey Goose

...No...Anglo contribution

langss

Thanks Bret .... I have no experience with Optima Battries so I have been going on word of mouth. Since the SS has pretty much sat in the driveway for the last five years, the battery has not been a concern. But now I'm moving and the car is going over to a friends garage so it out of the way while I move.I dont want problems a month or two from now.

langss

Ten Finger Discount ..... LOL ....

Guest

I have an Optima in my vert. Its a POS if you want my .02

langss

Could you all be a little more specific, as to pro's and con's.... My wifes Mudstain is a POS and to me is way more trouble than its worth, but we all know why this is. Thanks in advance ....

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

It has been my experience that the Optima red top battery doesn't like to be discharged to flat. They will not recover from it. Here's my story. I bought one for my Camaro. I accidentally left my hatch light on. I didn't use the car for a few days, so needless to say the battery was very flat. I tried bringing it back to life with my charger to no avail. The battery was only about 8 months or so old. Needless to say I was very disappointed with the battery as a result. It has left a sour taste in my mouth. I'll never own another Optima which is sad because I was intrigued by the new technology, (spiral cells with gel electrolyte) and had been looking forward to finally getting one. I should have turned it in for warranty replacement, but I bought it at Mikes old (as in three jobs ago) co. which was way too far out of my way in OC to bother making the trip. I've learned my lesson. I'll only stick with my faithful Sears Die Hard batteries from this point forward. If some of you have had good luck with Optima's then more power to you. Just heed my caution about letting the battery drain down. They don't like it.

Lon

langss

Thanks Lon thats what I need to know. The technology was what I was interested in. The SS is very big on battery drain, everything is electric.


Sorry to Hijack the thread Kevin .....

v6#21

I havehadan OPTIMA Yellow in my truck for about 7 years now and working strong. This truck runs dual electric fans on the radiator and a 3rd electric fan on the trans cooler that will all three cycle on and off a few times on very hot days and heavy load useage (carrying loads uphills into fancy neighborhoods). What I am getting at is the modules that control the fans are hardwired into the battery and do not have a drop temp delay. They will often run for about 5 mins and turn off then 5 mins later pop back on and run another 2-3 mins (and sometimes even a 3rd time if very hot outside). This causes a continual drain on the battery every time I shut the truck down. It ALWAYS fires right back up very strongly even if it sets for a few days.

I have always owned Diehard Gold's in all my cars and they always crap out after about 4-5 years, this Optima Yellow is on its 7th.

Manufacturur code date on the side says D8 which reads April 98.
And no, sorry, I will not be attending the meeting- lifes very busy right now

Guest

I have the same story as Lon, except I didnt leave the hatch light on... I just didnt drive the car much. The old battery was just old, so I replaced it. This one is worse really, it does not hold a charge. Little over a week of sitting and the car will not start. Its possible there is something wrong with my battery in particular, but I have heard the 'doesnt take well to discharging' story before from more than one person. I've had it on a trickle charge for a while now (a few months), but it doesnt seem to be working. The yellow and blue top might be better because they are deep cycle but I'm not willing to take the chance... I will just buy an old technology battery every 4 years.

BrandenCali

Everyone have fun at the meeting..

slow91camaro

I have had the yellow top for a few years now and have been very happy with it. I couldn't tell you how many times I have had to jump start or charge it after letting it sit for a while and have never had any problems with it.

I don't know if it's just my alarm or if I have other electical parasites, but this car has always drained batteries with in a week or two of being parked. In the past I would have to replace the battery at least once a year, two or three long drains and the batteries were toast.

robleamy

ive had a red top battery for 3 years, in two different cars and ive never had a problem.

langss

Well thank you all for the info. Since the chance of flatlining the battery in this car is still a possibility I think for the time being I'll just spring for the "Kirkland" special and try the Optima down the road when I have more time.

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

I'll be trying out my new 3.73's on the way

james_85Z28

I've drained my optima red top several times be leaving the headlights on for several 8-hours shifts. I have always had a bad habit of leaving on the lights on my cars, always. Mike has had to come to my work many times to give a jump. The optima batteries needs to be forced charged and require a special feature on battery chargers. They can be brought back to life as I have done many times.

JulieGTA

I'm really sick with the flu today. How went the meeting? I really wanted to see the videos too.

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

Don got 3:73's

let me know how they work with the T56... i was debating using those or the 3:42's i have in the garage...

socal85tam

iTrader: (4)

It was good to meet you guys that attended at the meeting, too bad I could'nt stay for dinner. Nice thirdgens

cali92RS

Pobrecita...hope you feel better

I was home for other reasons, but i'll give you a hint, it has to do with 9 inches, but NOT Mike

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

They failed.

Lon

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

It wasnt the gears that failed, it was the guy doing the passenger side brake caliper install that failed. Hint: it wasnt the experienced mechanic.

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

The videos were great. It looked like Julie and Ken hogged the videos. To bad they weren't there to see them.

Ken, hope you get that nine incher squared away.

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

NO....actually, they worked quite well

cali92RS

Im having a bitch of a time getting things to line up right...
Its tough when youre by yourself, with no lift, not the proper tools, etc, but i'll get it done soon enough.

BTW heres a link...
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=324096

JulieGTA

I guess their VCR worked, then?

injdinjn

Lang

A friend of mine, that has more cars than Chris and I together, sells and recommended the "Battery Tender Plus" he has used one for a couple of years, it discharges and recharges a battery on a stored car like it was being driven.
If interested send me a email and I will send you lhis business info.

Firebreed

Just to give ya all a little info on the Gel cell batteries, The gel battery's cannot be recharged with a normal 12v Battery charger, you have to get a 12v charger that has the provision for the gel cells (forgot what the name for that type of charger is) AZ/Kragens/Pep boys should have the ablity to charge them for you though, or you could buy one for you self. Just a FYI for you guys.

InsaneIROC

Really you need a special charger for deep cell's but you don't need a special alternator that's strange never heard that one before think you need to check your info one more time

v6#21

Here's the facts-

Gel cell batteries can not take a charge rate as fast as a normal flooded battery type or it will ruin the battery upon charging. A battery charger with a variable rate charging imput must be used and the current flow dialed down so it takes on a slower charge.

HOWEVER, Gel type batteries can in fact handle discharge voltage at a faster more powerful rate that a normal flooded battery.

So in conclusion, don't ever just have your local gas station hook up and charge your gel cell battery with one of there industial strength battery chargers- it will ruin it.

An altenator only maintains the ampsof a battery charge and it does not allow the battery cells to discharge and recharge at such a varying range as to overheat the cells upon a dead battery recharge. Its the going from dead to taking on a full charge rapidly that produces heat killing qualities, not just a simple altenator refeed of juice to maintain levels. No if your battery happens to be dead and you jumpstart the car then let the alt run and charge the battery from dead it can and may in fact ruin a gel battery. You should trickle charge it up first on a slow rate battery charger until it is at usefull voltage again to start the car on its own.

This is why the Yellowtop "deepcell" gell batteries are a better choice for a car that sits or has potential to rapidly discharge a battery too low to start the car. They are better suited for rapid recharging from a full dead statis where a NON-deepcell gel battery is not-

Buy only a "deep cell" gel battery. Thats the Optima Yellow. Now is everyone finally understanding why people have problems with the Redtop Optima's? Research things before you buy them, the info is out there.

Guest

The bluetop is also a deep cycle battery.

This is per the mfg:

Theoretically it should last longer in a sitting condition than a conventional battery, thats why I bought it. Also my charger should be fine, according to Optima.

8T8IROC

iTrader: (3)

I have owned a Yellow and Red Top Optima, both have worked out very well. I really like the Red Top that is in the Z, with all the stereo stuff that I used to have it helped to prevent the volts being dragged down too far I hope everyone had a great time at the meeting. I worked a side job on Saturday with a buddy and then we spent the majority of Sunday making an ATV track in my new backyard

Firebreed

Got my info from 3 Techs 2 of them are my College level Auto instructors the third is a guy who rebuilds and restores 1960's to 1974 mustangs, back in the 90's he also ran a full service repair shop includeing smog. he knows his stuff. which was the best smog/auto repair shop around my area