Take it back
should new Optima be dead?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Mile Hi Colorado
should new Optima be dead?
Bought new yellow top today, installed it and it wont crank. Put on my batt-tender and is currently sitting/charging. Do any optimas need to be charged before install? or did I get a bad one. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,915
Likes: 61
From: Miami Beach FL
I have a red top, absolutley no issues. I noticed that the yellow top has anywhere from 650-750 cranking amps whereas the red top has 910-1000. Did you choose the yellow top or was it recommended?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
A definite yes. Take it back. Yellow Tops are better than Red Tops but if its been discharged you'll never know if its damaged.
The warranty is one of the main advantages of buying an Optima.
The warranty is one of the main advantages of buying an Optima.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
You might have picked up a yellow top that's been on the shelf for a while, but even with that, it should have some charge on it. I'd agree in taking it back for a fresh battery.
What's the date on the top?
What's the date on the top?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,194
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From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
I had that happen with a motor cycle battery once. It was a high CCA battery for its size (expensive) and would not take a charge. Checked out the codes on the battery and turned out it had been manufactured a year and a half earlier, had been sitting in a wharehouse. I think the same thing occurs on some of these DOA batteries we keep hearing about. My red top has been trouble free.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 21,915
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From: Miami Beach FL
Hmmmmmmm, interesting. The red top has a higher rating in CCA, CA, and reserve than the yellow top. What's your criteria for for declaring the yellow top to be better than the red?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 314
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From: Mile Hi Colorado
I bought an Exide orbital, I will take back the "dead" Optima. I called Costco where I bought it, they said they would refund. I installed the Exide, and it seems to be fine. Now.....on to program the TPS and FOB...which is why I replaced the batt in the first place...multiply issues trying to figure out the FOB. It kept loseing its "learn". The batt was 3 yrs old, so I took it out of the equasion of being the FOB issue. I also got a new FOB from Gene Cully and new FOB batt also.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
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From: Bucks County Pa
Different applications for red top and yellow top
As for the yellow top being better than the red top, it would be misinformed to make that judgement for normal auto use. The yellow top is indeed better than the red top for deep cycle uses,(heavy stereo or extra lighting, or marine use),or as a second battery for all your added electrical mods as it was intended to be. Yellow is built to be able to handle deep drains and still have reserve capacity when a red would not. But a yellow is not able to have as many charge cycles as a red top, and will not handle as high a load continously as a red, and will not last as long as a red in normal everyday auto use, so therefore the red will be better in that aplication. Either one will last longer by being kept fully charged.
Luck to all.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
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From: San Diego CA
Hi, You probably got either a defective battery, or one that has been sitting around for a looooong time.
As for the yellow top being better than the red top, it would be misinformed to make that judgement for normal auto use. The yellow top is indeed better than the red top for deep cycle uses,(heavy stereo or extra lighting, or marine use),or as a second battery for all your added electrical mods as it was intended to be. Yellow is built to be able to handle deep drains and still have reserve capacity when a red would not. But a yellow is not able to have as many charge cycles as a red top, and will not handle as high a load continously as a red, and will not last as long as a red in normal everyday auto use, so therefore the red will be better in that aplication. Either one will last longer by being kept fully charged.
Luck to all.
As for the yellow top being better than the red top, it would be misinformed to make that judgement for normal auto use. The yellow top is indeed better than the red top for deep cycle uses,(heavy stereo or extra lighting, or marine use),or as a second battery for all your added electrical mods as it was intended to be. Yellow is built to be able to handle deep drains and still have reserve capacity when a red would not. But a yellow is not able to have as many charge cycles as a red top, and will not handle as high a load continously as a red, and will not last as long as a red in normal everyday auto use, so therefore the red will be better in that aplication. Either one will last longer by being kept fully charged.
Luck to all.
Herein lies the weakness of AGM batteries, and the reason AC Delco abandoned them - they need to be charged constantly. For many people, a standard battery is a better choice.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
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If you believe the ads, only in so far as its a deep cycle battery. Better for heavy loads and can take being discharged. My Red Top never recovered after it was discharged on the way to England.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: . New York
The last one lasted 4months! I switched back to a standard battery.
Safety Car
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From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
