Optima Red Top=High Maintenance
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,605
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Optima Red Top=High Maintenance
I know; I know. Why the hell do I subscribe to CF if I don't pay attention to the advice? Against all recommendations I purchased a Red Top at Costco ($95) since my '98 Delco was getting old and not holding a charge in storage. Well, here is my bright red new Optima deader than a door nail after storage for about 4 weeks. I trickle charged overnight and everything OK. Fired up the battery tender but, although working fine, never show the "charged" light. I can put my trickle charger on and it will pull 5 amps initially almost every time. Is it possible that I have a drain that I can't see or do Optima Red Tops suck that bad????
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for Optimas to die an early death. Theoretically, AGMs represent great technology. In reality, however, the tried and true lead acid (non-AGM) remains the best bang for the buck as far as longevity is concerned. My AC Delco is still going strong after 5.5 years and from what I've been told, AC Delco batteries sold within the last couple of years are significantly more robust (especially around the terminals).
Needless-to-say, my next battery will be an AC Delco Professional series battery with 50-month free replacement warranty.
Needless-to-say, my next battery will be an AC Delco Professional series battery with 50-month free replacement warranty.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
I have had an Optima in since '02 with no issues. I have heard about some people having issues with them, but I have had nothing but good luck. After cleaning up an acid leak from the Delco, I would never go back to an acid battery.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My Vert was a daily driver for 3 years. The Red Top was fine until I shipped the car to England. Two months on the boat killed it. Conversely, the Red Top on my son's Camaro survived the journey just fine and is going strong even with irregular use.
These batteries don't like being discharged. As the Vert only comes out at weekends now, I've bought a Yellow Top for that reason and I keep it on a trickle charger.
After a dead AC Delco and a leaking AC Delco, I would not go there again.
Exide get a good press as an alternative.
These batteries don't like being discharged. As the Vert only comes out at weekends now, I've bought a Yellow Top for that reason and I keep it on a trickle charger.
After a dead AC Delco and a leaking AC Delco, I would not go there again.
Exide get a good press as an alternative.
Now a CTS-V Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 1
From: Central Ohio
CI 5-6-7 & 9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
I bought an Exide and have had no issues. My Vette goes for long periods without being run, and I've never had a problem with starting.
By long periods, I mean longer than a Month>
By long periods, I mean longer than a Month>
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
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From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Fred
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver WA
Well the sun is out and the freeze is now gone and I fired up my Optima Red Top this am with no probs at all. Car started up in about 2 revolutions and the poiint of this is that I had not started the car in 6 weeks and I don't use a battery tender. Just let it sit in the unheated garage. Red Top is about 3 years old and have never had it die. So one vote for Red Top
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,042
Likes: 3,585
From: Central MO
So far, so good with mine after about 11 months. I started the car up after 5 weeks in the garage. You could tell it was a little low but nothing getting close to not starting. I've got a battery tender and I guess I should keep it hooked up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 5
I have had a Red Top Optima since 8/2003 and my wife has had an Optima since 1/2004, Both Optima's haven't had any problems, even with the extreme summer conditions in Florida. Delco has come out with a new battery that is supposed to be really good, especially in hot climates. I was told that there was extensive testing in Arizona.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 387
From: Fort Worth TX
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
You must remember that gell's do not like to set around. Buy a quality battery tender (Interstate makes a very good one) and if you are going to let it set longer that a few weeks, put the tender on! No Problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Guys, the Optima is NOT a gell battery.....
Vehicles modified for better engine performance demand more from a battery. OPTIMA batteries withstand the high underhood temperatures associated with these Performance vehicles. The sealed cells make the battery spill-proof, even if you install it on its side! This prevents external gassing and leaking which can damage engine components and limit battery performance
Vehicles modified for better engine performance demand more from a battery. OPTIMA batteries withstand the high underhood temperatures associated with these Performance vehicles. The sealed cells make the battery spill-proof, even if you install it on its side! This prevents external gassing and leaking which can damage engine components and limit battery performance
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land TX
St. Jude Donor '08
I'm on my second red top...the first one lasted 1 1/2 yrs. The new one now stays hooked up to a battery tender plus when the car is not driven. My ride is not a daily driver and may sit in the garage for as much as 7-10 days not driven.
The battery tender plus seems to make a big difference, so I'm hoping to get more life of the newer battery. I will NOT get another red top...too much hassle with both of 'em.
The battery tender plus seems to make a big difference, so I'm hoping to get more life of the newer battery. I will NOT get another red top...too much hassle with both of 'em.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Peru IL
Optima Fan Club
Well the sun is out and the freeze is now gone and I fired up my Optima Red Top this am with no probs at all. Car started up in about 2 revolutions and the poiint of this is that I had not started the car in 6 weeks and I don't use a battery tender. Just let it sit in the unheated garage. Red Top is about 3 years old and have never had it die. So one vote for Red Top
I'm in for the Optima. Two votes. The Maytag repairman has an Optima. Three votes. 
Randy
