Optima Red Top - Dead
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Optima Red Top - Dead
And after only 9 months. I won't even get in to the story about the idiots at Advance Auto Parts. 
When I bought this battery I thought it would be the last one I'd need for 4 or 5 years. Guess not. Has anyone else had problems with these?????
When I bought this battery I thought it would be the last one I'd need for 4 or 5 years. Guess not. Has anyone else had problems with these?????
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
What do you mean by "dead"? Can you recharge it or is it damaged somehow? I was looking at these a few months back, and they have a pretty good warranty, so I'm guessing it would be replaced. On the other hand, maybe something is wrong with your car that causes it to go dead.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Well, over a period of about the last 5 months my car has been increasingly hard to start. I thought it was because I let it sit too long between startups so I got a battery maintainer to keep it charged. Well I went to start it yesterday and nothing, not even a click. I took out my big charger and put it on the battery for about 15 to 20 minutes. When I tried to start the car it barely cranked over but it was enough to get it started. So I figure it's either got a dead cell or some internal short that's preventing it from working properly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,434
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '07
I like mine to breake or wear out or what ever its called every few years becuase you can just get a new one. i havent bought a new battery in a long time. i like walmart becuase all you ahev to do is keep the recept and take it back.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
I have, damned thing started leaking through 1 of the check valves and that means 1 of the 3 cells was dead. obviously being a gel battery you can't refill the thing. Optima warranty is a joke, mine was maybe 6 months old and they just said I had overcharged it (not possible, I have a very high quality Ferve battery charger and it was sitting on a shelf, not being charged and the storage area was warm and dry)
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
I used to have a DieHard also, still have it and in fact I think it's still good after years of severe abose (after removing it from the vette for the red top I used it to run a remote starter for a high compression 680cc go cart engine so it was drained hard without recharging)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
We'll see what happens when I get the new one. My receipt says 36 month free exchange. So far there hasn't been a problem with the exception of the counterman having the IQ of a head of lettuce.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I buy my batteries at either WalMart or AZ, AdvancedAuto or such.... never spend more than necessary 
How much are these Optima batteries ?? The one that I recently bought for the Corvette was $29.99 with 12 months warranty.
How much are these Optima batteries ?? The one that I recently bought for the Corvette was $29.99 with 12 months warranty.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Ogden Iowa
I bought a red top back in 1994. Everyone said I was NUTS for paying 150 for a car battery. My 1978 Camaro LT rolled through regular batteries.They (regular) just did not have the juice, especially when cold outside. Got the red top, started right off. It is still in that car. The car has sat for the last 5 years. Just have to keep it charged through the winter ( I start it every couple of months, and let it run, go around the block). If the Vette did not have a brand new battery when I got it I would get another one!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by vettfixr
Well, over a period of about the last 5 months my car has been increasingly hard to start. I thought it was because I let it sit too long between startups so I got a battery maintainer to keep it charged. Well I went to start it yesterday and nothing, not even a click. I took out my big charger and put it on the battery for about 15 to 20 minutes. When I tried to start the car it barely cranked over but it was enough to get it started. So I figure it's either got a dead cell or some internal short that's preventing it from working properly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 2
From: Summerville SC
Originally Posted by vettfixr
At Advance Auto Parts. Has anyone else had problems with these?????
Has anyone else had problems with these?????
Optima just must have had a bad batch of batteries. 
You should not have had a problem getting a new battery. Optima Red Tops have a 3 year free replacement warranty!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
I am using a red top. I have run my car a grand total of twice in the last 6 months. I did not throw the charger on after the first start, I worked on the car many times with the door open and the lights on, I tweaked the stereo with the big amp, and still the car started after a couple of months of just sitting with no recharge. My old Die Hard and Champion batteries would have never made it this far.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
I have been wanting to get a Optima for some time now. Main reason is they are sealed and who needs a buildup of explosive hydrogen fumes right behind your seat? The original batteries had caps that would connect to tubes that would vent through the battery compartment to under the car. The original caps won't work on any newer batteries I have seen.
I don't think you should have a problem getting an exchange on yours, but it would be a good idea to check your charging system with any battery replacement.
I don't think you should have a problem getting an exchange on yours, but it would be a good idea to check your charging system with any battery replacement.
