Is an OPTIMA battery worth it? First post on this forum.

[cmanf]

I have the 1st Optima I ever bought back in 1994 still in my mustang.
It is in the trunk now but spent years under the hood.
Think I have bought maybe 5 or 6 over the years they were sold with the cars.
One is in my DD truck and going to buy one for the bmw when the time comes.
NEVER had to replace one tho if the old one sits for a month or 2 not charged I have to jump it but it charges right back up everytime. All redtops tho under the hood ford blue would look nice lol

 

[Starfury]

Wow angrypony, I've never heard that. Makes very good sense though, and explains why Optimas respond better to modern computer-controlled battery chargers than older solid-state units.

I definitely agree about the discharged battery returns, though. Most battery testers, even some of the modern computer test units, will kick back 'bad battery' if you test a discharged optima. The uninformed tech will simply warranty it. I like to give them a slow overnight charge before condemning them. I'll have to give that dual battery trick a try next time, though.

 

[boss351]

Wow, all great posts. As for your question mr sandborn, yes My existing battery box is indeed on the passenger side, and the box will seal... I think I am going to try the vent tube route. I just got a coupon in the mail from autozone to save 25% off of a battery with my rewards card. For the cost, I think I am going to try this first.

 

[AzPete]

mr sandborn,

I just got a coupon in the mail from autozone to save 25% off of a battery with my rewards card. For the cost, I think I am going to try this first.

Well, that will go to "mr sanborn's" head....... :lol

What about using that 25% towards an optima.....that is a fair amount off.

 

[gotstang]

I'm not too surprised about the charging proceedure, AGM batteries are a different beast. However, I would never run a yellow top in a street car as the main battery, there are too many issues associated with charging a deep cycle battery to tempt me.

I've also heard a lot of complaints about Optima's quality going to crap in the last few years...I even know a guy who only runs Optimas because he gets them dirt cheap at work; he's been through something like 9 batteries in 4 years.

You might consider another brand of AGM battery; I'm aware that Johnson Controls makes a lot of other brands, but Optimas seem to be their junky models, so you could get another brand that's made by Johnson that's much better quality.

Plus, it seems like Optimas are usually more $$ than other AGMs, just because of the name.

 

[Starfury]

Honestly, I haven't seen any decrease in quality, and I sell (and warranty) them. Like I said, usually the problem is with how the battery is used, not with the battery itself. Not saying there aren't occasional lemons, but that's true with any battery from any manufacturer.

If you want a non-JCI AGM battery, look at Orbital (or Sears Platinum, which are made by Orbital). They've got some slick stuff as well.

If it were me, I'd use the 25% off on a red top. But that's just me. If you do decide to get a lead-acid battery, I might recommend a group 100 or group 48. Both have sealed tops and vent tubes. Don't rely on simply sealing the box, route the tube straight from the battery lid. The group 48 is a top post battery and the group 100 is a GM side post (which I think would be more convenient in a battery box). They'll cost more, but the design is better.

 

[tarafied1]

Welcome, your story sounds simaler!

I have a 429 with 10.5:1 and bat in the trunk. I (on occasion) had problems starting my car with a brand new battery when engine was hot. I have switched to an Optima red top and have no other problems starting the car when hot.