- Location
- IL
are optima batteries really worth it? If so which one red or yellow top?
Batteries discussion
- Thread starter Lucky_lefty
- Start date
- Location
- Dayton, OH
I would say they are if you are pulling that much current
- Location
- Columbus OH
Quality on them have really slipped over the last couple of years. What you gain in them is the gel instead of liquid. If you are serious about spending that kind of money take a look at duralast batteries. They have a better reputation for returns.
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- Location
- SW OK & formerly Eastern NM
The warranty sold it for me, even though it's not an optima.
- Location
- Lawton, Oklahoma
I've become a huge fan of the Diehard Platinums.
- Location
- IL
My X is starting to have a hard time starting. and I plan on adding more lights so I want a better battery.
the cranking power is awesome.. I havent heard of anyone having issues with them.. but thats not to say they are no issues..
- Location
- Conroe, TX
Yep, love my red top Optima. Yellows are good too.
- Location
- Rhode Island
Duracell makes a AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery which I Was forced to pick up from my work at the boat store when my alt died the first time. I've driven 2 hours on it with out an alternator.... TWICE! (just ask the nexterra crowd) And that thing is still at 90%! It's a solid battery meaning no water or maintenance. You can over cook or drain them down 10X more than your 'wet' batteries. Never going to anything else after my experiences with it.
- Location
- Pearl, MS
I just go for the Walmart batteries. Yes, yes, before you say anything they are garbage, and I know. The thing is they automatically come with a 1 yr warranty and they die religiously around 8 months, acid leaking from the caps and all. I have been on the same warranty for 4 years cause everytime you swap out the battery, the warranty is renewed due to the sticker being on the battery itself, so new battery, new sticker. It is an endless cycle but considering I paid around $50 for the first 1000 cranking amps battery and have had new ones ever since, It's a good deal to me. Although the batteries go out around 8 months, it takes about a month from the time I can tell the battery is failing to the point that it will no longer start my X, so I have plenty of time to get it replaced. Just my $0.02.
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
I've owned a red top since they first came out. Never had a problem and have given a few jumps. A few tow truck drivers I know say I should never have any battery problems with it. The yellow top I intend to use as my Aux bat. I can honestly say at this point this has been my best battery to date.
- Location
- IL
I plan on adding a winch and since I will also be running 4 hella 500 lights I am really interested red top or yellow top.
- Location
- machesney park IL
Running the largest Diehard platinum. Its a animal.
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
Update: after speaking to several dual battery setup companies, I found out that the Yellow, Red and Blue topped batteries are actually the worst batteries for Offroad use. These batteries were designed for high speed long track racing, midget car racing and boat racing respectively. They are GEL designed and the GEL (according to most of the dual battery folks) will "come apart" causing the battery to fail under the heavy abuse of offroad usage. RED top being the worst of the 3. Figures, that's the one I have. All 3 were designed specifically for the above mentioned uses. The Blue is exactly the same as the Yellow but with different terminals due to boat racing requirements. Best battery for offroad use (according to the same folks) is the drycell.
TN4x4Xterra
Suspension Lift
- Location
- Knoxville, TN
How do you even use the dual terminals on yellow top? I had a blue top and it had extra terminal prongs on top but yellow doesn't have the extra terminals...do you use a screw to screw to the side terminals or what?
- Location
- Gulfport, MS
I need a new one as well. I plan on adding at least 6 lights to the x. I got a new battery clamp so I painted it. Well. within a week or so, it was completely covered in white stuff and it ate the paint off. I'm assuming it was corrosion from the battery. I'm taking that isn't a good sign lol. I can't find duracell anywhere locally. I'm looking at duralast platinum for the price. I would like another optima but for almost $200, I'll pass.
- Location
- Rhode Island
Here's a great article on battery types. It talks about the three types, starting dual and deep cycle. Then goes into the materials used, flooded or wet, gel and AGM, absorbed glass mat. (listed In order of quality, AGM the best)
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/WestAdvisorView?langId=-1&storeId=11151&catalogId=10001&page=Selecting-a-Marine-Storage-Battery
I'm running a sealed AGM battery by duracell
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/WestAdvisorView?langId=-1&storeId=11151&catalogId=10001&page=Selecting-a-Marine-Storage-Battery
I'm running a sealed AGM battery by duracell
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
Anyone heard anything good or bad about Northstar batteries? They're supposed to be better than Odyssey batteries but less expensive than Optima's. The military uses them. I saw the video where they were shot with an M16 a few times and still started the truck. Seem like a tough battery...Lead acid, no maint.
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midget
First Fill-Up (of many)
- Location
- what cheer,Iowa
I have a blue top battery mainly because we use my truck for drinking tunes & the amp kills normal batteries in about 6 months. There is a huge difference now & I love it.
I need a new one as well. I plan on adding at least 6 lights to the x. I got a new battery clamp so I painted it. Well. within a week or so, it was completely covered in white stuff and it ate the paint off. I'm assuming it was corrosion from the battery. I'm taking that isn't a good sign lol. I can't find duracell anywhere locally. I'm looking at duralast platinum for the price. I would like another optima but for almost $200, I'll pass.
Your battery tie down is sitting directly over the vent, so it's in contact with oxygen and hydrogen gas whenever the battery is being charged. Add a bit of humidity to the mix and you're definitely going to get some corrosion. Doesn't necessarily mean the battery is going bad; venting is normal for a wet cell battery. Best to hold on to that tie down until you get a sealed AGM type battery.
jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
False.
1. They are AGM not gel cell.
2. They were made to but put in awkward positions and for high vibration vehicles because they can not spill.
3. Red top = cranking battery only. Use for starting and that is it.
4. Yellow top = dual purpose. One battery to crank and run your winch/aux lights/etc
5. Blue top = marine deep cycle battery, hence the marine terminals. Meant to run in a deep cycle application such as trolling motors, boat stereos and lighting, etc. not for starting.
Soooo. Optima is a dry cell battery. AGM means absorbed glass mat. True gel cell batteries are very rare. Not being a d!ck just clarifying things. They are great batteries, and made for off road use and other applications were you would worry about a wet lead acid battery spilling or leaking.
jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
Edit: I have to add my credibility. I work at an interstate all battery center, so batteries is all I do. If anyone has questions feel free to ask, if I don't know my boss will.
- Location
- SW OK & formerly Eastern NM
I need to buy a cheap battery to start and run an old pickup around town once or twice a week. Any recommendations?
NMTerras
Suspension Lift
- Location
- New Mexico
Got a yellowtop. Run six lights and a CB, no problems whatsoever. kinda pricey, but peace of mind is worth it...
jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
Kinda depends. Most important question is- how long do you plan to own the vehicle? If only a year or so, go cheaper (not dirt cheap). If you are planning on having it for 4,5, or more years you might as well get a good battery with a longer warranty. Most cheap batteries only have a one year warranty, so buy according to how long you plan to keep the vehicle in this case.
- Location
- SW OK & formerly Eastern NM
That's what I was thinking. But my wallet is saying go cheap and gamble on how long it lasts.
- Location
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Hey quick hijack: My X's batteries have been eating it. I'm sure its because our new house is so close to everything that it basically starts and runs for less than 5 minutes before shutting off. Then the trip back, the same thing. In my mind the engine is not running long enough to achieve a full charge. Every month or so I'm putting it on the charger. Should I go deep cycle or heavy duty?
- Location
- S.Subs of Chicago, IL.
Yanno... I do not claim to be an expect when it comes to batteries or anything for that matter. I rely on the people that do the work. The information I passed along was given to me by not 1 but 3 seperate companies whos business is multiple truck battery systems. If that information is wrong then I apologise for passing along incorrect data. In the future I will limit my comments to things I know about personally.
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jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
I am really sorry if I came off as rude! Really, not what I intended. Just was hoping to shed some light on the subject from what I have learned through working with batteries all the time. The information I posted was corresponding to what I have been informed about through my boss, coworkers, and company.
jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
Oz, if you still have your dual setup have your 2nd battery be a deep cycle, but your first (main) battery be a heavy duty one. 800+CCA is good, and assuming your rig will mainly be a trail rig, a sealed one is preferred.
- Location
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Thank you sir. Hey would you take a guess how long it takes to charge up a batt from the alt to replenish what is used for a start?
Transmitted using CRM 114 discriminator.
Transmitted using CRM 114 discriminator.
jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
It should draw up on its own, without the alternator, within 30-60 seconds. So with the alternator it should theoretically take less time than that.
Jboogerfinger
Test Drive
- Location
- Spring, TX
If you're talking Optima, that is just not correct. They are AGM, not gel. They are non leaking and can be mounted sideways if need be. I've had a D35 yellow top for 3yrs and tests at over the stated CCA.
- Location
- Carlisle, Iowa
I have a autocraft gold from advanced 700 cc amps it runs my hids, 3 fogs, two amps, and winch just fine battery is 2 years old has driven me home on a dead alt many times and still has plenty of life left, and was only $100