Topic: Optima Battery

[Black Runner]

I have a red top Optima that is about a year old and seems like its not holding a charge. If I don't drive my Runner for a couple days, it wont start by the third day. Only draw I can think of is my alarm. I thought these batteries were supposed to last  

[88_Pathy]

I heard the new ones are hit and miss.  I have one and so far it has been tough as hell, But I also have an orbital red too.

[axled89]

mines like 5-6 years old and good to go.   i have a charger that is a slow charge and it also monitors the batt.
never had any probs so far.    KNOCK ON WOOD.      try and give it a nice long charge.

[Black Runner [OP]]

Thanks axled89 How many amps is good for a sufficient charge? I have a charger with 2,10,and 50 amp settings.

[axled89]

well mine shuts off after it's charged.   but it charges at 2amp for like 24 hours.   cause 2 amps take's awhile but it is good for the batt.  if yourcharger doesn't have a shut off, i would probaly charge it for like 15-20 hours.
just to be safe.   unless some body eles has a good opinion.

[Kentucky Jelly]

I work at an auto part store that sells Optima's.  I've seen a bunch of the newer red tops come in for warranty.  My first red top lasted 9 years, but these newer ones just don't seem to be built as well.  I always recommend yellow tops to my customers, since they seem to be bullet proof. 

OP, I'd take it back to whoever you bought it from, and try to warranty it.  See if they'll upgrade you to a yellow top.

[topar]

I went through at least 4 red tops in about 3 - 4 years finally just got rid of my optima battery.  However I also keep a smart trickle charger on my battery.  Buddy of mine works at Advanced Auto here in town and says they get back almost everyone they sell (Red Tops that is).

[Slolyfe]

My red top is about 8 years old. Its awesome. the truck will sit for 2 months and still  fires right up

[Black Runner [OP]]

I work at an auto part store that sells Optima's.  I've seen a bunch of the newer red tops come in for warranty.  My first red top lasted 9 years, but these newer ones just don't seem to be built as well.  I always recommend yellow tops to my customers, since they seem to be bullet proof. 

OP, I'd take it back to whoever you bought it from, and try to warranty it.  See if they'll upgrade you to a yellow top.

I got this one from Autozone. It had only drained completely once about six months ago. I think I'll take your advice and trade it in for a yellow top.   Thanks for all the input guys

[Dingman.]

Well everyone says once you drain that redtop once its garbage essentially.

I bought mine from autozone probably a year ago and its been good to me so far.

[crazykooter]

A lot of the newer optima's are doing this.  Im thinking they are not using the same materials as they use to.  I switched away from them and went to another drycell battery which actually kicks the optima's  in all test.  Mine is rated at 785 CCA and when you test it with a load meter it reads 1200 CCA.  The best part is These Deka batteries are 120 bucks where the optima red are 160+. 

[emsvitil]

My truck has about a 40ma parasitic drain (radio,alarm, ECU, clock memory...) that will make the truck unstartable with my  6 year old red-top after 2-weeks.......

So I moved it to my 64 Valiant with 0 parasitic drain.   Starts after months of sitting.


Seems that they lose reserve capacity with age..........

[83yota5960]

i have a red top optima  that is about 4 years old and never died on me. i even had a bad alternader and would drive it and get a jump every where for a week and after it still worked great