red top optima
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 560
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From: nanticoke pa
red top optima
well my second one in 3 years has died. was fine all winter with battery tender which i took off on april 1. since april first the weather in pa has not been to good but i had the car out a couple of times (2 or 3). i went out today to start it and nothing. so i took it back to pep boys, where i really did buy it, but i didnt have the receipt (couldnt find it anywhere) so they finally agreed to an exchange but they didnt have any red tops but they did have a yellow top. they let me take the yellow top for 45.00 extra i guess this is a good deal. when my red top was going to die i was going to get a yellow anyway because i installed a stereo with 2 amps so i geuss this is a better battery. is the yellow a better battery and if so how?
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I've heard that if you run a lot of add on electrical stuff, the yellow top is the better choice. Surprised that you had so many problems with the red top - 2 in three years is not a good deal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
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From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
So you're on your 3rd Optima in as many years...
Well, it took me 3 Optima's in 4.5 years B/4 I finally woke up and realized these batteries are nothing more than high priced, expensive junk..
Good luck w/ #3, maybe it'll last a year or so b/4 it poops out on you..
Well, it took me 3 Optima's in 4.5 years B/4 I finally woke up and realized these batteries are nothing more than high priced, expensive junk..Good luck w/ #3, maybe it'll last a year or so b/4 it poops out on you..
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,336
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From: North Canton OH
I don't get it. Wonder why the red-tops aren't lasting for you?
I work for an emergency power generator distributor and we've been putting red-tops on generators for about 10 years. Some are still 10 years old and working fine. We usually recommend they replace them at 5, but many keep using them.
In the 1000's we've used (easily many more than 1000's) I can only remember 1 or 2 failing. We've even had some that were "dead" that were used in mobile applications that we hit them with a large amp charge for 20-30 mins then set to float at 2 amps and they come back to life!
Sorry to hear your luck, but seriously sounds like you have something going on other than getting defective red-tops.
There are a few posts floating the forums where the mirror vanity switches are not closing properly and cause dead batteries. I'm not sure, but think you may have an other issue brewing.... (again just IMO)...
I work for an emergency power generator distributor and we've been putting red-tops on generators for about 10 years. Some are still 10 years old and working fine. We usually recommend they replace them at 5, but many keep using them.
In the 1000's we've used (easily many more than 1000's) I can only remember 1 or 2 failing. We've even had some that were "dead" that were used in mobile applications that we hit them with a large amp charge for 20-30 mins then set to float at 2 amps and they come back to life!
Sorry to hear your luck, but seriously sounds like you have something going on other than getting defective red-tops.
There are a few posts floating the forums where the mirror vanity switches are not closing properly and cause dead batteries. I'm not sure, but think you may have an other issue brewing.... (again just IMO)...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
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From: Fort Worth Texas
The trend I've observed over the time I've been on the forum is that the red-tops are going dead after being trickle charged while in storage. I had a yellow top in my last Caddy and never once had an issue (750 watt stereo to boot). I think the storage thing is the key here.
