Battery @#*$%
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 174
From: Melbourne FL
St. Jude Donor '09 & '11
Battery @#*$%
I have read several posts here on bad batteries. I apologize for adding another. Before I read the battery posts on the forum, I had already purchased a new battery - an Optima. I've had 3 other Optima batteries on my cars that lasted 10-15 years so I bought another. I thought they were great, but many of you disagreed. Well I'm now joining the Optima naysayers. I bought this Optima two months ago and now need to replace it a second time (third battery). Both batteries failed the same way. Overnight they dropped to less than 5 volts! The latest dropped to 1.5 volts! The ignition was not left on and there were no drains. I'm hoping the store will exchange for another brand. It is such a pain in the a$$ to remove and replace a battery on a C2! NO OPTIMA EVER AGAIN!!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 512
From: Carmel CA
Sorry to hear about your battery problems. I recently changed both of mine and it really is a pain in the butt. Recently, I read that there are only a few companies that make car batteries and that most of what you see on the shelf are actually the same battery with different warranties. Does anyone here know if that is true? If so, it would not make sense to buy the top of the line battery. Doc
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 851
Likes: 112
From: Torrance California
This is so true. I went through this with my headlight motor gears. Bought two new gears and they differ in dimensions and had make a slight modification to get them to work. On the battery, just go with a Delco 24 series and be done with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 301
From: Bonita CA
[QUOTE=watson;1604908881I read that there are only a few companies that make car batteries and that most of what you see on the shelf are actually the same battery with different warranties. Does anyone here know if that is true? Doc[/QUOTE]
Not true. It's an old wife's tale. If you Google car battery manufactures, you will find there are many. And I doubt your problem was the fault of the Optimas. More likely a charging problem.
Not true. It's an old wife's tale. If you Google car battery manufactures, you will find there are many. And I doubt your problem was the fault of the Optimas. More likely a charging problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 5,104
Likes: 1,599
From: Nor- Cal
When I replaced my battery las September my old Delco had lasted 8 years. The new delco came with a 3 year no fault warrantee. If it fails for any reason in that time it is replaced. The parts guy said "most " of the new battery's have the same warrantee.
Also the batterys live much longer if you have them secured correctly. Un controlled vibrations are your enemy.
Also the batterys live much longer if you have them secured correctly. Un controlled vibrations are your enemy.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: New Orleans
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Omaha NE
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I just googled Optima battery complaints. Good Lord...
The BBB has a laundry list alone.
Optima even has their own "Optima batteries suck? The truth" where they try to explain...
...
The BBB has a laundry list alone.
Optima even has their own "Optima batteries suck? The truth" where they try to explain...
...
Last edited by SEVNT6; Mar 24, 2022 at 12:41 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13,633
Likes: 3,573
From: NorCal
I was thinking of buying an Optima and asked here about it. Our private mechanic, Jeff, said that Optimas used to be great but no longer are. Your experience confirms that. I really don't know who makes a 100% reliable battery, so I just keep buying Interstates.
Le Mans Master
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From: Omaha NE
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Walmart's are top rated & I've been using them in all of my cars for years with no problems.
Getting the newest battery possible is the secret.
Walmart's have a round sticker on the top with the month & year they were made.
You can pick out your own....the last one I got was made the month before I bought it...
Getting the newest battery possible is the secret.
Walmart's have a round sticker on the top with the month & year they were made.
You can pick out your own....the last one I got was made the month before I bought it...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13,633
Likes: 3,573
From: NorCal
I was thinking of buying an Optima and asked here about it. Our private mechanic, Jeff, said that Optimas used to be great but no longer are. Your experience confirms that. I really don't know who makes a 100% reliable battery, so I just keep buying Interstates.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 267
From: Richmond Texas
Walmart's are top rated & I've been using them in all of my cars for years with no problems.
Getting the newest battery possible is the secret.
Walmart's have a round sticker on the top with the month & year they were made.
You can pick out your own....the last one I got was made the month before I bought it...
Getting the newest battery possible is the secret.
Walmart's have a round sticker on the top with the month & year they were made.
You can pick out your own....the last one I got was made the month before I bought it...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Cincinnati ohio
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They recommend not to leave it on a tender but instead charge it every other month. That’s what I’ve being doing the last couple years! Seems to be working! 🥃🥃
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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Wish I had the answer - but alas - I don't.
I have heard good things about Deka - East Penn Mfg (some NAPA brand batteries are made by them) - but last weekend I tried to get a Group 75 AGM for my C5 - but it was backordered - with no expected in stock date.
Some people swear by Braille, others seem to swear at them - they certainly ARE expensive.
It used to be so simple - just go to Sears - get a Die Hard and move on with life - not so today - so so so much absolute junk out there....
I have heard good things about Deka - East Penn Mfg (some NAPA brand batteries are made by them) - but last weekend I tried to get a Group 75 AGM for my C5 - but it was backordered - with no expected in stock date.
Some people swear by Braille, others seem to swear at them - they certainly ARE expensive.
It used to be so simple - just go to Sears - get a Die Hard and move on with life - not so today - so so so much absolute junk out there....
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,034
Likes: 4,176
From: US-PNW
Dang, must be nice! You and Leno friends? Ever have Jeff call over there for advice?
I got my last battery for my '67 from my public mechanic, Steve - just the regular batteries he sells for all of our regular Chevys, Fords, Hondas, and Toyotas.
I got my last battery for my '67 from my public mechanic, Steve - just the regular batteries he sells for all of our regular Chevys, Fords, Hondas, and Toyotas.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 174
From: Melbourne FL
St. Jude Donor '09 & '11
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
I've used Optima Reds in lot of builds. Never an issue. Put one in the 64 a year ago. Just fine another in a 69 Camaro 5 years ago Just fine
3 year warranty and the manager of my local parts store said bring in back in 35 months saying it not working and she'll give me a new one. Lol
3 year warranty and the manager of my local parts store said bring in back in 35 months saying it not working and she'll give me a new one. Lol
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13,633
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From: NorCal
Jeff is GTOguy here on CF. He's a retired pro mechanic who answers lots of our questions. I was being facetious calling him our mechanic.