Optima Red Top Bad at 40 months

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Dec 22, 2005 | 11:36 PM

Bill D

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Heel & Toe

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From: Austin Tx

Optima Red Top Bad at 40 months

Seams like about 4 yrs ago Optima was the battery of choice. I’ve been out of touch and now researching since I’ve got a problem. I’ve purchased one for 5 different vehicles since. The first two vehicles I sold before 2yrs old each. The 3RD Optima and oldest, I presently have is 40 months old in my 98 and won’t accept a charge. Add me to the list of people dissatisfied with Optimas. I had a 72 month Durolast from Autozone that lasted in a hardly every used 1979 El Camino for 9 yrs. That’s my latest Optima 34/78 purchase a few months ago. Tomorrow I’m transferring that to my 98 vet. Is the prorate warranty exchange worth while?? or should go with the Excide Orbital or Delco AGMs. My OEM leaked previously so I prefer an AGM. Thanks Bill D.

Dec 23, 2005 | 04:02 AM

EHS

Race Director

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Hey, at least it didn't leak like your other one.

Try the Orbital.

Dec 23, 2005 | 04:55 AM

diviniti

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2004

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From: AnnArbor Michigan

St. Jude Donor '05

my optima came with a 86 month warranty, I assumed they all did.

Dec 23, 2005 | 07:14 AM

BiggieBoy

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2001

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From: Orland Park Illinois

St. Jude Donor '06-'07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill D

The 3RD Optima and oldest, I presently have is 40 months old in my 98 and won’t accept a charge. Add me to the list of people dissatisfied with Optimas.

I'm surprised your Optima lasted that long...

Dec 23, 2005 | 09:31 AM

Cruncher

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

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Quote:

Originally Posted by EHS

Hey, at least it didn't leak like your other one.

Try the Orbital.

Do you know what Orbital would fit a 2003 Z06...I can't get any info from the Exide site. Thanks in advance.

Dec 23, 2005 | 09:54 AM

Dave68

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2000

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From: San Diego CA

When my AC Delco AGM finally dies (although it is still going strong after more than 4.6 years), I may try an Exide Orbital. They are available at my local Kragen Auto Parts store.

Dec 23, 2005 | 12:20 PM

EHS

Race Director

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 14,542

Likes: 5

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruncher

Do you know what Orbital would fit a 2003 Z06...I can't get any info from the Exide site. Thanks in advance.

Batteries
13 lbs - Odyssey/Dynabatt/Hawker racing battery - Src
13.5 lbs - Genesis G16EP, LWH=7.15x3.01x6.65, CC=280 - Src
15 lbs - PC 680, LWH=7.27x3.12x6.67, CC=280 - Src
23 lbs - SVR SVR28-12, LWH=6.88x6.50x4.88 - Src
23 lbs - Genesis G26EP, LWH=6.57x6.92x4.96, CC=470 - Src
26 lbs - Odyssey PC 925, LWH=6.69x7.05x5.04, CC=470 - Src
26 lbs - SVR SVR33-12, LWH=7.75x5.00x7.25, CC=500 - Src
26 lbs - Optima Yellow Top 51, LWH=9.25x5.00x9.00, CC=500 - Src
32.8 lbs - AC Delco 75P-7YR, LWH=9.50x7.10x7.30, CC=550 - Src
32.9 lbs - Genesis G42EP, LWH=7.78x6.53x6.72, CC=630 - Src
35.4 lbs - Odyssey PC 1200, LWH=7.87x6.66x7.55, CC=630 - Src
33.1 lbs - Optima Red Top 75/35, LWH=9.31x6.81x7.63, CC=650 - Src
37.7 lbs - AC Delco 34P-7YR, LWH=10.3x6.80x7.80, CC=650 - Src
36 lbs - Exide Select Orbital 75, LWH=9.00x7.00x7.44, CC=690 - Src
38.8 lbs - Optima Red Top 34/78, LWH=10.0x6.88x7.81, CC=750 - Src
38 lbs - Exide Select Orbital 78, LWH=10.1x7.00x8.1, CC=770 - Src
45.6 lbs - AC Delco 65P-7YR, LWH=11.9x7.50x7.60, CC=800 - Src
57 lbs - SVR SVR80-12, LWH=10.6x6.50x6.25, CC=800 - Src
58.7 lbs - Odyssey PC 1700, LWH=13.02x6.62x7.68, CC=930 - Src

Dec 23, 2005 | 12:53 PM

Cruncher

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,202

Likes: 5

It's strange that this Optima Red Top subject is posted. I had my Z06 serviced earlier this week and the mechanic told me that he's starting to see cars come in with bad Optima Red Tops. I think on my next battery, I'll try an Orbital from Exide........the good news is that Sam's carries Exide batteries, including the Orbital.

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Dec 23, 2005 | 12:57 PM

Cruncher

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,202

Likes: 5

Bill, I am almost positive that Delco stopped making the AGM batteries.

Dec 23, 2005 | 01:05 PM

#10

Bill D

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 16

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From: Austin Tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiggieBoy

I'm surprised your Optima lasted that long...

my secrets to 40 months Optima and 9 yrs on $48 Durolast:
never rapid recharge, use low amp setting on charger 10 or less. If yours has 2amp setting use it. Check your charger, if it charges over 15 volts -don't use on Optima. Two of my old chargers charge at over 16v. It actually says 15v max on my original Optima sales brochure. Also don't use float charger over 1 amp 13.2 to 13.8v. Bill D.

Last edited by Bill D; Dec 23, 2005 at 01:52 PM.

Dec 23, 2005 | 02:02 PM

#11

REW89

Pro

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 589

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From: Tucker GA

I have used Autozone Duralast in my beaters for the past 15 years and have gotten GREAT service.

Had one in my C4 the whole time I owned...............

Bob

Dec 23, 2005 | 02:26 PM

#12

FreddyG

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 8,840

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From: State of Confusion.

Optima website said 6 year warranty. First 3 years free replacement, then prorated after that. Seeing how you've just went over the 36 month warranty, maybe the pro-rated cost won't be so bad. Wouldn't hurt to try.

Optima warranty page for the red top......................

Dec 23, 2005 | 02:40 PM

#13

edensknight

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvmyC5

Dec 23, 2005 | 03:32 PM

#14

birch64

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 2,284

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From: NW Chicago, IL/Clearwater Beach, FL

I beleave 97-00 corvette thakes the : http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AAAQ%3AUS%3A1

AND the 01-04 corvette takes the :http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Exide...9000QQtcZphoto

best price i found on the exide battery....ordering mine on tuesday.......

http://exide.com/products/trans/na/automotive.html

Dec 24, 2005 | 11:00 AM

#15

birch64

Melting Slicks

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From: NW Chicago, IL/Clearwater Beach, FL

anyone else find some better prices on the exide or optima?

Dec 24, 2005 | 11:35 AM

#16

stonecoldsaysto

Advanced

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 64

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Quote:

Originally Posted by birch64

anyone else find some better prices on the exide or optima?

I heard a that Odyssey makes a excellent battery - does anyont know of anything bad about the Odyssey battery ??
Thanks !!! Keith

Dec 24, 2005 | 12:50 PM

#17

pianoprodigy

Pro

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 655

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From: Seminole FL

St. Jude Donor '12

I talked to the Odyssey rep at the Tampa Boat Show a while back, and apparently the Odyssey technology is superior to the Optima technology. I forget exactly the reasoning. I had an Optima Red Top in my old Rx-7 that seemed to die really easily (leave the parking lights on for an hour).

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/appl...o.htm#bcigroup

That's the link to Odyssey's site. Which one do we need?