Optima battery ???'s

[69hurstolds]

So many times you hear of people bad mouth Optima Red Top batteries and sometimes blame those problems on quality control or the fact they are made in Mexico. However, the real problem is they didn't read the instructions on how to take care of these batteries properly.

I believe I understand what you're trying to say here, but in my case that is simply BS. I know how to take care of Opticraps and like I said, my early models lasted several years with the BTs and all that when they were parked. Then when they gave up the ghost, they gave up the ghost. I felt I got good service from them so I bought them again. The next two soon turned into pure crap, even when taken care of the same way. I know it wasn't the cars because nothing changed except the batteries. Both wouldn't magically start having charging issues and then magically return to normal again when the batteries had been swapped out to diehard wets that actually worked.

You'd think it'd be the other way around. When Opticraps were relatively new, a lot of people maybe would ruin them because they weren't used to the AGM style and had to get up to speed on their care. And the second go-round would be a better experience because they learned. Mine was opposite. All downhill. I'm not going to blame my bad experiences on QC or the fact they were made in Mexico. I don't know why they were crappy. But I am going to blame the fact that the last two Opticraps SUCKED and were a burden on my wallet and my time, thus negatively affected my enjoyment of my vehicles.

I'm not going to say every Opticrap is bad, but to me, a quality battery means I don't have to pay a premium price just to cross my fingers in hopes of getting a good one. Look at the bright side; it means there are more Opticraps are available for those who want them. You can have the ones I don't buy.

FWIW, I've got a diehard AGM in the 2010 Camaro (4+ years on that big b*st*rd) and a Delco AGM in the truck (2 years). Absolutely no issues/problems at all. #NeverOptima 🙂

YMMV

 

[roger1]

I'm just wondering if the battery was bought in 2015 and it was a problem right out of the box then why is it still trying to be used and complained about in late 2018.....🤔

Could have been bad from the get-go as that can happen but it could have been old-stock when he bought it too. But true, it is weird they he didn't deal with this back when he bought it.
I bought an Optima from Jegs last year and it was old stock. I called them to complain get an exchange and when they checked some of the other batteries in their inventory, they were all old too. So I returned it for a refund instead of exchanging it.

 

[pontiacgp]

I believe I understand what you're trying to say here, but in my case that is simply BS. I know how to take care of Opticraps and like I said, my early models lasted several years with the BTs and all that when they were parked. Then when they gave up the ghost, they gave up the ghost. I felt I got good service from them so I bought them again. The next two soon turned into pure crap, even when taken care of the same way. I know it wasn't the cars because nothing changed except the batteries. Both wouldn't magically start having charging issues and then magically return to normal again when the batteries had been swapped out to diehard wets that actually worked.

You'd think it'd be the other way around. When Opticraps were relatively new, a lot of people maybe would ruin them because they weren't used to the AGM style and had to get up to speed on their care. And the second go-round would be a better experience because they learned. Mine was opposite. All downhill. I'm not going to blame my bad experiences on QC or the fact they were made in Mexico. I don't know why they were crappy. But I am going to blame the fact that the last two Opticraps SUCKED and were a burden on my wallet and my time, thus negatively affected my enjoyment of my vehicles.

I'm not going to say every Opticrap is bad, but to me, a quality battery means I don't have to pay a premium price just to cross my fingers in hopes of getting a good one. Look at the bright side; it means there are more Opticraps are available for those who want them. You can have the ones I don't buy.

FWIW, I've got a diehard AGM in the 2010 Camaro (4+ years on that big b*st*rd) and a Delco AGM in the truck (2 years). Absolutely no issues/problems at all. #NeverOptima 🙂

YMMV

you are right about the red tops, they are a hit and miss theses days but they do carry a warranty which I have used with no issues and got a replacement. I had a red top using the side terminals and while I was working underneath my car I shorted out the battery cable going to the starter which melted the negative terminal right off the red top. I took the negative wire and used the top terminal on the red top and without charging the red top it started the car like nothing had happened. I picked up a red top from Costgo for a friend of mine and it needed a charge out of the box. I didn't even consider charging it, it went back and I got a good one. I recently purchased a new headlight switch that was defective, I didn't play with it, I brought it back to Napa. I don't buy anything electrical for the car online, there are too many counterfeits out there and those great prices don't always mean you are geting a good deal. I buy it from a local store so if there is an issue I take it back and speak with a real person.

 

[roger1]

...FWIW, I've got a diehard AGM in the 2010 Camaro (4+ years on that big b*st*rd) and a Delco AGM in the truck (2 years). Absolutely no issues/problems at all. #NeverOptima 🙂
YMMV

Read the article in my link. A Diehard or Delco AGM is a lower-life calcium type AGM unlike the Optima, Odyssey or NorthStar.

 

[pontiacgp]

Read the article in my link. A Diehard AGM is a lower-life calcium type AGM unlike the Optima, Odyssey or NorthStar.

That article is a good read and very informative......🙂

 

[roger1]

That article is a good read and very informative......🙂

Since the article is mainly focused on deep-cycle battery capabilities, I assume when they refer to Optima, they are talking about Yellow Tops since Optima states that their Red Top is not a deep-cycle battery and the Yellow Top is.
My opinion is that a Red Top is not the way to go for most people that have hobby cars. Many go to car shows and have high-end stereos and a deep-cycle battery is a better way to go for that kind of thing. A Red Top is better suited for a grocery getting car.
After I got and returned the old-stock Yellow Top battery from Jegs, I ended up buying an Odyssey for my El Camino. All Odyssey batteries are deep-cycle type AGM.

 

[69hurstolds]

Read the article in my link. A Diehard AGM is a lower-life calcium type AGM unlike the Optima, Odyssey or NorthStar.

I did. An informative article. I noted it says an Optima yellow beats a diehard AGM by 2 minutes on a continuous amp draw from a boom box system (84 vs. 82 minutes) but the diehard outdid the yellow top by 45 feet on the 6500 lb jeep winch pull (352 vs 307 ft). I'm not worried about those tests because they won't suddenly make me realize I made a huge mistake and bought those horrible diehard and Delco AGMs. That said, the Odyssey is a good choice, IMO. I've heard nothing but good things about Odysseys and I consider Northstars the primo. Problem for me is, I like to get my batteries locally and I haven't found anyone within a 3 hour drive around me that has any. I'm not that desperate.

I don't treat my batteries like a police car or a boombox anyway so I don't drain batteries. I deal with what's in my garage. So far, that "inferior" diehard has lasted longer than the last Optima red top ever did by a long shot, so I think it's proven to be a higher-life battery in real life for me. And that's what matters to me most. If people have good luck with their Optimas, great. But I can assure you I've used more curse words than allowed dealing with my Optima battery issues. Early on, I'd have sung their praises, but no longer. And red top or yellow top, if you've got a good BT on them when parked, they shouldn't have to worry about deep cycling as it were.

"Which battery is best" articles can be fun to read on the side of the road as you're waiting for the tow truck when your Optima fails. 🙂 j/k Hope nobody ever gets stranded regardless of which battery brand they use.

 

[pontiacgp]

I did. An informative article. I noted it says an Optima yellow beats a diehard AGM by 2 minutes on a continuous amp draw from a boom box system (84 vs. 82 minutes) but the diehard outdid the yellow top by 45 feet on the 6500 lb jeep winch pull (352 vs 307 ft). I'm not worried about those tests because they won't suddenly make me realize I made a huge mistake and bought those horrible diehard and Delco AGMs. That said, the Odyssey is a good choice, IMO. I've heard nothing but good things about Odysseys and I consider Northstars the primo. Problem for me is, I like to get my batteries locally and I haven't found anyone within a 3 hour drive around me that has any. I'm not that desperate.

I don't treat my batteries like a police car or a boombox anyway so I don't drain batteries. I deal with what's in my garage. So far, that "inferior" diehard has lasted longer than the last Optima red top ever did by a long shot, so I think it's proven to be a higher-life battery in real life for me. And that's what matters to me most. If people have good luck with their Optimas, great. But I can assure you I've used more curse words than allowed dealing with my Optima battery issues. Early on, I'd have sung their praises, but no longer. And red top or yellow top, if you've got a good BT on them when parked, they shouldn't have to worry about deep cycling as it were.

"Which battery is best" articles can be fun to read on the side of the road as you're waiting for the tow truck when your Optima fails. 🙂 j/k Hope nobody ever gets stranded regardless of which battery brand they use.

I have a red top battery powering a healthy sound system and an MSD ignition cause I like to live life on the edge.......but I do keep my CAA membership in good standing....😎

 

[roger1]

I did. An informative article. I noted it says an Optima yellow beats a diehard AGM by 2 minutes on a continuous amp draw from a boom box system (84 vs. 82 minutes) but the diehard outdid the yellow top by 45 feet on the 6500 lb jeep winch pull (352 vs 307 ft). I'm not worried about those tests because they won't suddenly make me realize I made a huge mistake and bought those horrible diehard and Delco AGMs. That said, the Odyssey is a good choice, IMO. I've heard nothing but good things about Odysseys and I consider Northstars the primo. Problem for me is, I like to get my batteries locally and I haven't found anyone within a 3 hour drive around me that has any. I'm not that desperate.
I don't treat my batteries like a police car or a boombox anyway so I don't drain batteries. I deal with what's in my garage. So far, that "inferior" diehard has lasted longer than the last Optima red top ever did by a long shot, so I think it's proven to be a higher-life battery in real life for me. And that's what matters to me most. If people have good luck with their Optimas, great. But I can assure you I've used more curse words than allowed dealing with my Optima battery issues. Early on, I'd have sung their praises, but no longer. And red top or yellow top, if you've got a good BT on them when parked, they shouldn't have to worry about deep cycling as it were.
"Which battery is best" articles can be fun to read on the side of the road as you're waiting for the tow truck when your Optima fails. 🙂 j/k Hope nobody ever gets stranded regardless of which battery brand they use.

I wasn't trying to imply you made a mistake at all. Glad you read the article and understand that Pure Lead AGM > Calcium AGM > Standard Flooded batteries as far as life and number of discharge cycles. That's all I was trying to point out. I understand type of use intended, cost and availability to get a replacement can play into the decision as well and you make a good points about that.

All this said, I really don't see the point in buying a Red Top Optima and wouldn't ever recommend getting one. I think a cheaper calcium type makes more sense. If a person wants a pure lead AGM, get a Yellow Top Optima, Odyssey or Northstar. A Yellow Top or Odyssey doesn't cost that much more than a Red Top. I'm not saying a Red Top can't give you good service life. They can and do if treated they way they are intended (assuming they don't have factory defects and weren't old stock to begin with.)

 

[pontiacgp]

The other aspect of a battery is weight, the yellow is 4 lbs heavier than the 39 lbs red top. I'm always interested in shedding weight off the car but since I have the battery in the trunk and within the suspension perimeter I don't mind it as much since it is not dynamic weight and it helps with the terrible front to back weight bias of a G body.