Optima Red Top vs. Yellow Top battery

I got a red top a week or 2 ago at AutoZone. They did not have a yellow top in 34R size at the time.

Jeff

 

In my opinion, don't buy either. I put a red top in my 308 (which has an alarm system). It died within a few months. Replaced under warranty, but I had to pay shipping. The replacement won't start the car after 2 weeks unless I keep a trickle charger on it.

Optima was bought out a few years ago and the quality has suffered since then.

Search for Optima and you will find a number of threads lamenting the same issue.

 

I've had different experience with the Red Top - works great in starting my GT40 (big V8) even after months with no charging. Had one for 6 six years on the car and it still would start her right up after a winter break. Best to disconnect them for long periods of non-use.

They also avoid a lot of corrosive fumes and seepage that you might find in conventional batteries.

 

Forget about the Optimas, they're overrated and overpriced!

Buy an Interstate and put a maintainer on it in the off months. I've used them for years and have never had a problem.

 

Optimas cannot be used in hot environments. In the 308, the battery gets the full blast of hot radiator air, which is why they don't last long.

It's usually a good feeling to spend more than twice as much for something thinking you've got something which is much better than the original. But in this case...an $80 battery will give better performance than the $200 optimas.

 

The red top is the one for starting a car, the yellow is more of a deep cycle type battery.
The optima stories are mounting and are not good. IF you got a good one they are supposed to be great, but a lot have not been good at all. The new Sears battery w/the same technology is the way to go imho.

 

+1 Also the yellow top is a deep cycle battery

 

Go with Interstate. They Have the best batteries for our cars. Stay away from the gel.

 

I run Optimas in my 4x4, the red top is a hit and miss thing, I have one that last years, and some only lasted months, I used have a red top in Ferrari, it looked nice with car because of the red top , but it didn't lasted too long, so being a sucker for OEM, this time, Installed an AC Delco in the Ferrari instead.

I my 4x4, I run a dual battery system, with a Optima red top for ignition/starting, and a Optima blue top for the winch and accessories such as offroad lights, stereo, freezer,.., it works beautifully and saved my butts couple times in the middle of nowhere. Also if you roll your truck or car, it has less chance of spilling the craps out.

If you have money go for it and just be aware that it may not be reliable.

 

The red top in my 77 308 has been great, for about 3 years now. Cranks great the first time..

Greg

 

What they said.

I asked Gary Bobileff for his recommendation when I bought my 328, and he advised against the Optima for the 328.

 

Sounds like every other battery location I have ever heard of, plus they get all that engine heat in front engine cars.

Never had a problem with an optima, I prefer them as they don't leak.

FWIW, you brand swearers out there, all batteries in the US are pretty much made by one company, Which I recall, correctly, or incorrectly, is Johnson Controls, in the same factory, which was in Fullerton, CA, at least back in the 1980's, as I worked down the street from them, and different labels are stuck on the same battery, depending on who is selling it.. Sears, Pep boys, Interstate, Autozone, all the same damn battery made in the same factory, some had more plates than others, but that was about it.

Doug

 

I have lucked out and only bought the great ones. I think alot of folks expect more from them than what they are supposed to be for. They are great in a DD, they are great for a rought application like a Jeep or Boat that will get pounded on. They are not so great for a car that might sit in the garage for most of the winter than come out only on sunny summer/spring days.

 

Going on ten years (with trickle charger) with an Optima red top in my 328.

 

Ditto that. My Red Top sits in a sweat box four inches away from unshielded headers on a stroked 5.5ltr V8 - no problems in many years of reliable use. Guess I've got lucky and got a good one!
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Thanks for sharing the photo Cliff. That car looks like a lot of fun!

 

I had good luck in with the red top in my Jeep. Lasted 6 years of daily driving with rock and mud crawling on the week ends, including winching.

It was still going strong right up to the time a semi tried to turn me into his hood ornament.

 

Don't buy Optima batteries.....it is common knowledge that they stink!

 

You're partially correct. There are basically 3 major manufactures in the U.S. Same with tyres. Firestone (Bridgestone) and Goodyear make most of the private brand tyres.

 

Thanks Ettore. Yup, it is. A few more pics here fer ya.

(sorry for the thread drift)
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Hello, I noticed your conversation regarding our batteries and wanted to offer some assistance. If your vehicle is relatively-stock, an appropriately-sized RedTop will work just fine. YellowTops are strongly recommended for vehicles with significant aftermarket accessories, including large stereos, winches and auxiliary lighting.

The quality of our batteries has always been excellent and has continued to improve since Johnson Controls acquired our brand in 2000 (JCI also owns 49% of Interstate). We still make all of our own batteries in our own facility and we do not re-spec, re-brand or re-badge them for anyone.

No battery likes extreme heat, but ours fare better than most. We routinely do testing in hot climates, including Nevada and Florida and our batteries have lasted up to twice as long as conventional batteries in the same fleet. The key to long-term battery health, regardless of brand, is maintaining at least 12.4 volts at all times. If your vehicle sits for extended periods of time, a battery tender or maintainer is an excellent investment, which will help extend the life of your battery.

330gt, I’m sorry to hear about the trouble you’ve been having with your battery. I’m concerned that your alarm might have a high parasitic draw and I was wondering if you could tell me what the “key-off” load is on your vehicle? This video explains how to measure this- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yPlx4MBNRU

If anyone else is considering purchasing an Optima from an online retailer, we encourage you to consider the following-

Any retailer from which you purchase a new Optima should provide warranty service for you, for the full duration of your warranty. However, there are some online retailers that do not. We strongly recommend that you find out the warranty procedures before making a purchase. If the seller’s procedure is to contact the manufacturer or if they do not provide a customer service phone number that they answer (not the Optima batteries customer service number) we recommend looking elsewhere.

For same-day purchases and service we recommend visiting your nearest Optima retailer, as online purchases can take multiple days to arrive. Likewise, in the event that product support service is needed, online purchases must be shipped back to the original seller and can take several days to be processed and returned.

OPTIMA-authorized online retailer requirements:

• Ship Optima products in approved shipment packaging
• Answer a toll-free service phone number during business hours
• Adhere to and honor the Optima factory warranty policy
• Provide an in-house warranty program

I’m glad to hear our batteries are working well for so many of you. If anyone has any other questions about our batteries, I’ll do my best to answer them.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
www.facebook.com/optimabatteries

 

"better than most"? Not according to their own literature and our experience.

These people don't understand the battery location is immediately behind the radiator (not beside but behind) receiving full force of the heated air. The battery case gets to over 200°F easily.

Now if you want to add some insulation or a heat deflector to bring the Optima performance up to an $80 battery, be my guest.

 

Is there a standard size for the 308 battery for interstate? I am running a '75 GT4 and I am either chasing down a bad battery and/or a bad ground. Either way the car doesn't register power and I have put a trickle charger on the 5+ year old optima red that is in there now. Interstate or Optima - you guys are making me think interstate is the better option now.

thank you!
Spencer