Optima Battery
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 22
From: Justin TX
I purchased my first red top Optima for my 69 in September of 2008, at the time they had a 6 year warranty and were prorated after 3 years. I kept the car on a battery minder and the batteries only last about 2 years, the 4th one was installed April of 2014 and was replaced under warranty by Autozone.
At that time based on recommendations from Battery Jim on this forum I upgraded to an AGM battery tender. At one time Optima was offering a deal on their battery tender because of this type issue on vehicles that are not daily drivers. I am not sure if this has solved the problem but I am coming up on 2 years soon so time will tell soon. Note that the warranty on Optima batteries warranty is now on 3 years, and when I had to replace the battery on my C6 I went with a standard battery.
I really do not think the Optima is worth the difference in price and pretty disappointed with Optima at this point.
Here is my post from 2014
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-quality.html
At that time based on recommendations from Battery Jim on this forum I upgraded to an AGM battery tender. At one time Optima was offering a deal on their battery tender because of this type issue on vehicles that are not daily drivers. I am not sure if this has solved the problem but I am coming up on 2 years soon so time will tell soon. Note that the warranty on Optima batteries warranty is now on 3 years, and when I had to replace the battery on my C6 I went with a standard battery.
I really do not think the Optima is worth the difference in price and pretty disappointed with Optima at this point.
Here is my post from 2014
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-quality.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I purchased my first red top Optima for my 69 in September of 2008, at the time they had a 6 year warranty and were prorated after 3 years. I kept the car on a battery minder and the batteries only last about 2 years, the 4th one was installed April of 2014 and was replaced under warranty by Autozone.
At that time based on recommendations from Battery Jim on this forum I upgraded to an AGM battery tender. At one time Optima was offering a deal on their battery tender because of this type issue on vehicles that are not daily drivers. I am not sure if this has solved the problem but I am coming up on 2 years soon so time will tell soon. Note that the warranty on Optima batteries warranty is now on 3 years, and when I had to replace the battery on my C6 I went with a standard battery.
I really do not think the Optima is worth the difference in price and pretty disappointed with Optima at this point.
Here is my post from 2014
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-quality.html
At that time based on recommendations from Battery Jim on this forum I upgraded to an AGM battery tender. At one time Optima was offering a deal on their battery tender because of this type issue on vehicles that are not daily drivers. I am not sure if this has solved the problem but I am coming up on 2 years soon so time will tell soon. Note that the warranty on Optima batteries warranty is now on 3 years, and when I had to replace the battery on my C6 I went with a standard battery.
I really do not think the Optima is worth the difference in price and pretty disappointed with Optima at this point.
Here is my post from 2014
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-quality.html
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 22
From: Justin TX
I think you are correct, I looked the model you have up and that is what the new one I put on in 2014 looks like, it was around $100. I am hopeful it takes care of the issue and I get 10 years out of this Optima battery like a few have reported :-)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
It should help. My optima has been going since 2006.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,170
From: Hermosa
I've tried quite a few brands over the last 50 years. I've finally settled on the top warranty battery that's available at Walmart. The advantage here is that they are open all the time, especially if you have a super center near you. If the battery fails, just return it and get a replacement. They are super accomodating. Good luck.
Duane
Duane
Same here. For the same reasons. I have had one fail and they replaced it, no questions no hassle. I also have one that is now 14 years old from walmart and it still holds a charge. It's on my generator so not really getting used much, but still alive.Is Optima overpriced, yes, in my opinion. If you want AGM for some reason get a cheaper brand, still an AGM battery.
Last edited by REELAV8R; Feb 29, 2016 at 08:57 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I'd shop around for AGM batteries and pick based on the best price and warranty. Instead of an Optima, I saved $70 and picked up a different brand with a 5 year full replacement warranty.
Not true. It's not as likely as with a normal lead acid battery, but if you search you can find cases of the case cracking and then leaking.
Not true. It's not as likely as with a normal lead acid battery, but if you search you can find cases of the case cracking and then leaking.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Mar 1, 2016 at 12:10 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I have been looking from everyone Interstate, Sears, Walmart, Autozone, etc. the prices are all pretty compairable at about 145-230 dollars for a replacement AGM. I am shocked though at how pricey but that is how it goes, but that first spring drive my smile will make me forget all about it 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Dumb Dumb (me) dropped a red top one time. Cracked the case and guess what came out?
Last edited by Street Rat; Mar 1, 2016 at 07:00 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
Optima is not worth the cost over a new battery with a warrantee.
There was a few year period in the late 90s where there were some leaking batteries put in new Corvettes. At that time people went with Optima because they are sealed and are less likely to leak. It had been more than 15 years since there have been any concerns over car batteries leaking.
Optimal are for boats because they can be run in any orientation and withstand being tipped better being a gel cell. Use in a car is just hype.
Look at them against any regular battery side by side. Lower performance ratings for more than twice the price. That is how I ran into the issue. My C3 needed a new battery so I thought I would go with an Optima but looked at them side by side and saw that. A little research into the issue showed what I posted above.
There was a few year period in the late 90s where there were some leaking batteries put in new Corvettes. At that time people went with Optima because they are sealed and are less likely to leak. It had been more than 15 years since there have been any concerns over car batteries leaking.
Optimal are for boats because they can be run in any orientation and withstand being tipped better being a gel cell. Use in a car is just hype.
Look at them against any regular battery side by side. Lower performance ratings for more than twice the price. That is how I ran into the issue. My C3 needed a new battery so I thought I would go with an Optima but looked at them side by side and saw that. A little research into the issue showed what I posted above.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 22
From: Justin TX
Battery Warranties
Oreilly's dropped the warranty on ALL of their batteries to 3 years free replacement max and no prorate.
Walmart did that for a while but have reinstated 5 year warranty with 3 years free replacement on some battery models.
Autozone has always offered the prorated warranty on Duralast and Duralast Platnum AGM, I believe it is a 5 year with 3 year free replacement.
Interstate offers some model batteries with up to 72 months and 3 year free replacement, just put one on my DD.
http://www.interstatebatteries.com/s..._USenglish.pdf
Sears still offers warranties up to 100 months with 3 year free replacement as well but a little more expensive.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 205
Likes: 20
I have a Red Top Optima Battery. It has been very reliable. The Red Top Optima Battery allows for a large current draw. The Yellow Top Optima Battery is better suited for the Corvettes that have computers. The computers are always pulling slight "Phantom" current drains. The Yellow Top Optima Battery can handle deep cycling discharge.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 374
From: Randolph nj
I have a yellow top that was dead... you trick it to charge back up by running another battery in series when its on the charger then when its like half charged you pull the dummy battery and finish charging the optima it worked like a charm..
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Optima installed
Well it took a little longer than expected. I thought the weather would be warmer and I would be able to work outside a bit. I was very lucky, I happened to be by my brother in laws shop and he gave me a optima red top that was sitting on his shelf. It is a couple years old, slow charged it to full and tested all good. So I needed to clean the battery box and remove all the baking soda I threw in to soak up the acid. Scape and vacuum, then wash with soap and water. I had to lengthen the positive and negative terminals as the wiring was crusty at that point. So started like this 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
And with in a few hours of starting was able to get it done to this. I was also able to add a nice power disconnect for when I am between drives. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 105
I had 2 Optima Red Tops and they both gave up the ghost early on.
I the purchased a Odyssey Battery and it's been flawless now for years. Well worth every Penney IMO.
http://www.odysseybattery.com
I the purchased a Odyssey Battery and it's been flawless now for years. Well worth every Penney IMO.
http://www.odysseybattery.com
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20