optima battery
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Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Lake Oswego, Oregon
I wanted to go with Optima in my '95 because of reputation and because the dry cell means no fluid sloshing around so I thought less chance for leakage. I also had the CC bracket interference with the top post, and I wasn't going to cut on the car just for a battery. Here's what not to do: do not cut off the entire top post to give lots of clearance to the bracket. It turns out the side post connection goes through the top post, so after I cut the post it wouldn't work - it had enough of a connection left to make voltage, but it wouldn't flow any current, so it was useless. Alas, live and learn.
I've given up on Optima ever making a battery without the top posts. When this happened over 4 years ago, I called Optima and discussed the situation and the guy said they were aware of it and were considering making a side-post-only version, and he'd let me know when it was coming out. Yeah, right. Don't hold your breath.
I ended up going with a Die-Hard, and so far it's done great. Even had it disconnected for almost 3 months during a big maintenance program last year, and it started right up afterward.
I've given up on Optima ever making a battery without the top posts. When this happened over 4 years ago, I called Optima and discussed the situation and the guy said they were aware of it and were considering making a side-post-only version, and he'd let me know when it was coming out. Yeah, right. Don't hold your breath.
I ended up going with a Die-Hard, and so far it's done great. Even had it disconnected for almost 3 months during a big maintenance program last year, and it started right up afterward.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,659
Likes: 750
From: NEwhere Ohio
quote:
no offense but if you had 3 bad batteries in a row you had other problems my friend
******************************88
No problems other than the Optima battery....
Runs/sits/starts reliably like a champ on the Die Hard Gold and its been a year and a half.
The Optimas started once or twice, made it until the next day and then 'click!'. They also did not take a charge.
Optima has a neat idea - absorbent glass mat. However, they dont have it reliably worked out.
Remember the Corvette Z06 first was advertised with a lighter weight AGM battery....
So why did the Corvette Z06 drop Absorbent glass mat batteries? because GM had quality control issues with them.
IT seems like you either get one that works or doesnt. In my case I got 3 that didnt work. Im not stupid either when it comes to car stuff. Ive installed a hotcam kit, heads, headers, exhaust and put in a new clutch on my car.
You would hate them too if you had the same issues I did.
Im also happy I got a lighter battery -the Sears Die Hard Gold. I dont remember the exact weight (i think it was 32 vs. 37 for optima red top), but I remember it was 5 pounds lighter.
no offense but if you had 3 bad batteries in a row you had other problems my friend
******************************88
No problems other than the Optima battery....
Runs/sits/starts reliably like a champ on the Die Hard Gold and its been a year and a half.
The Optimas started once or twice, made it until the next day and then 'click!'. They also did not take a charge.
Optima has a neat idea - absorbent glass mat. However, they dont have it reliably worked out.
Remember the Corvette Z06 first was advertised with a lighter weight AGM battery....
So why did the Corvette Z06 drop Absorbent glass mat batteries? because GM had quality control issues with them.
IT seems like you either get one that works or doesnt. In my case I got 3 that didnt work. Im not stupid either when it comes to car stuff. Ive installed a hotcam kit, heads, headers, exhaust and put in a new clutch on my car.
You would hate them too if you had the same issues I did.
Im also happy I got a lighter battery -the Sears Die Hard Gold. I dont remember the exact weight (i think it was 32 vs. 37 for optima red top), but I remember it was 5 pounds lighter.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16,950
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Originally Posted by crheinish
Johnson Controls make all the batteries at Walmart also. There top of the line is only $58 and comes with a 3 year free replacement and 108 month warranty. Maybe I should go that route.
Interesting, I didn't know that...
I picked up one of those top of the line Walmart batteries for my beater back in AZ... It's gone totally dead once already and recovered quite nicely, surprising me...
I'm still partial to Optima for my better cars here with me in Kalifornia though...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
Originally Posted by dizwiz24
DONT DO IT!!!
I will never buy another battery as long as either i live, or as long as they keep making optimas!
i have a red top that has been in my TRUCK for 7 (YES SEVEN) years. the only reason i "replaced it" was because i thought my battery was dying, when in actuality my starter was going bad - so i still have that battery, and hope to get another couple years out of it!
in fact, that reminds me, i better put it back in the truck!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by dizwiz24
quote:
no offense but if you had 3 bad batteries in a row you had other problems my friend
******************************88
No problems other than the Optima battery....
Runs/sits/starts reliably like a champ on the Die Hard Gold and its been a year and a half.
The Optimas started once or twice, made it until the next day and then 'click!'. They also did not take a charge.
Optima has a neat idea - absorbent glass mat. However, they dont have it reliably worked out.
Remember the Corvette Z06 first was advertised with a lighter weight AGM battery....
So why did the Corvette Z06 drop Absorbent glass mat batteries? because GM had quality control issues with them.
IT seems like you either get one that works or doesnt. In my case I got 3 that didnt work. Im not stupid either when it comes to car stuff. Ive installed a hotcam kit, heads, headers, exhaust and put in a new clutch on my car.
You would hate them too if you had the same issues I did.
Im also happy I got a lighter battery -the Sears Die Hard Gold. I dont remember the exact weight (i think it was 32 vs. 37 for optima red top), but I remember it was 5 pounds lighter.
no offense but if you had 3 bad batteries in a row you had other problems my friend
******************************88
No problems other than the Optima battery....
Runs/sits/starts reliably like a champ on the Die Hard Gold and its been a year and a half.
The Optimas started once or twice, made it until the next day and then 'click!'. They also did not take a charge.
Optima has a neat idea - absorbent glass mat. However, they dont have it reliably worked out.
Remember the Corvette Z06 first was advertised with a lighter weight AGM battery....
So why did the Corvette Z06 drop Absorbent glass mat batteries? because GM had quality control issues with them.
IT seems like you either get one that works or doesnt. In my case I got 3 that didnt work. Im not stupid either when it comes to car stuff. Ive installed a hotcam kit, heads, headers, exhaust and put in a new clutch on my car.
You would hate them too if you had the same issues I did.
Im also happy I got a lighter battery -the Sears Die Hard Gold. I dont remember the exact weight (i think it was 32 vs. 37 for optima red top), but I remember it was 5 pounds lighter.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
I just wanted to add I went to Walmart and weighed all there batteries. The standard black $29 battery for Corvette weighed 27.5lbs. The top of the line yellow $58 battery for Corvette weighed 30lbs. The largest top of the line yellow $58 battery 34-78, not for Corvette but would fit, weighed 32lbs.
I guess if I am at Walmart weighing batteries I don't have much going on in my life.
I guess if I am at Walmart weighing batteries I don't have much going on in my life.
