- Location
- IL
are optima batteries really worth it? If so which one red or yellow top?
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.
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.
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.
I need to buy a cheap battery to start and run an old pickup around town once or twice a week. Any recommendations?
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.
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.
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.
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.