Optima Batteries
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Irvine CA
I just came back from CES in Las Vegas where I stopped by the Optima booth. Yes, either battery will work. Their recommendation is as follows. If you don't have any unusual electrical requirements, the Red is a better choice since you get a longer warranty and higher crank current. The yellow will allow for more deep discharge cycles. The red can tolerate around 20 discharges while the yellow is good for 200-300 deep discharge/charge cycles. I'm planning to get the red one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,119
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From: Spring Branch Texas
Originally Posted by cglasse
and a deep discharge cycle is what?
Hope this helps!!!!
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Roswell Ga
A good example is that Motorhomes have both. They use a regular cycle "Red Top" for the normal vehicle operations and a "Yellow Top" to run all the appliances off of. It's designed to hold large amounts of voltage and then be drained off rather than the way a "red top" type is; which is to use a short, powerful burst to get the car started and then be recharged. Personally, I can't think of any situation that a single battery vehicle would use a "yellow top".
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If you were running a lot of stereo equipment - neon, flashing strobes, etc. go with the Yellow. Otherwise Red Top 75/35 is a perfect direct replacement for your stock O.E.M. battery. 
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with RalphC5. If you do not have any unusual electrical requirements, go with the Red Top.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Chula Vista CA
Originally Posted by Umrswimr
Q: which battery size do I need? It looks like they come in sizes like 34, 35, 75 and 78? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
I have the Yellow top because my car sits for weeks at a time. The battery cranks up every time and it is going on 3 years old. Since I park in a condo parking lot, I can't hook up my battery to a tender (no access to a power supply).
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Yakima WA
I am probably in the minority here but...
I don't like the Optima Red Top. I had one on my 86 Vette & it ended up going bad on me. Wouldn't hold a charge more than about 3 days. I changed over to a Diehard Gold & haven't had a problem since.
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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Originally Posted by Umrswimr
Q: which battery size do I need? It looks like they come in sizes like 34, 35, 75 and 78?
The 75/35 is a direct replacement for the C5.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Irvine CA
I didn't ask about battery shelf life. But discharging in 3 days sounds like a defective battery or a current leak some place. Since you replaced it with a yellow cap and are not experiencing problems, I'd suspect a bad battery. BTW, red cap has a 3 year warranty and yellow cap has a 1 year warranty.
