the OEM (glass mat) battery in my 2001 Z06 lasted 3 years. I replaced it with an Optima Red Top on the basis of recommendations at this site. After less than 2 years this battery would not hold a charge for more than a week. This was not acceptable to me, so I replaced the Red Top with another of the same design. Two years later it has the identical problem; it will not hold a chargeore than a week.

The wizards at my local Optima Red Top dealer blame the situation on the application rather than the battery. What do you think?

regards, Steve

 

Not sure how the "application" could have much to do with it ... did they elaborate why?

I've had an Optima Red Top in my 02 Zee for 4+ years now, and it has been fine. But one thing I do if I don't drive the car much (i.e., winter time) is to keep the battery on a Battery Tender. If I don't I do notice that the Optima will self discharge somewhat faster than an normal lead acid battery. If it's ever been discharged significantly a few times that could possibly harm it enough to die earlier than normal.

Have you verified that your parasitic current draw it about 20 mA? ... which is the normal draw rate for the C5s.

Another key when getting an Optima new is to ensure it is fully charged and was made fairly recently -- there is a date code on the battery. Bring a voltmeter to the store and make sure it's at least 12.6 volts or more before buying one.

What's the guarantee on the Optima these days?

 

I get a charge out of reading the owners manual where it states that if the car sits for 3 weeks or more , put a charge on the battery. When ever my Vettes (2000 and 2001) sit in the garages they get a Battery Tender . I also have to do this with my 454 Suburban (2 batteries) if it sit for a month or so.

Car batteries don't like signifcant discharge and charging cycles. They are not like deep cycle batteries

I have use the Optima RedTop for most my cars with out problems for many years, but as I stated , I keep them on a charger as they are not daily drivers.

 

As above, I keep mine on a digital charger also.........

 

The current warrenty for a red top Optimal is 36 months free replacement, then 36 months pro-rated replacement.

The Yellow Top Optimal has a less warrenty.

 

I just replaced my 5 year old red top with another Optima red top. Optima Red Top is a starting Battery which provides the most starting power (Amps). The Yellow Top is a Deep Cycle and does not have the CCA but can be discharged and recharged more. You can fully charge a Red Top and it will start the car months later, if it is disconnected but our Vettes draw power to maintain things like remote Key Fobs, ect. So you must keep it charged. As with any battery if the voltage drops much it begins to sulfate.
I notice you live in a hot weather state also and Lead Acid batteries don't like excessive heat. A starting battery also likes to be driven almost as a daily driver, if you drive only once a week or so then let the car sit with it discharges then the altenator must recharge. Red Tops do not like this deep cycle and will die sooner if you do not keep a float charger connected. Have a load test done on the battery and check the alternator output also. Get a Micropressor charger that charges in stages and also will "Float" charge.

I was even able to reawake the old red top with a SLOW micropressor charge so will give it to away to someone in need of a "Get by" battery.
Hope this info helps.
OGC5

 

I think the dealer believes if they can baffle you with enough you'll forget about the 36 month replacement warranty on the battery. This is the same kind of dealer that will try to sell someone on the need to use synthetic blinker fluid because of the extended service life and better lubricity for the turn signal/emergency flasher lamps, and because you use the emergency flashers so little, you KNOW how important it is to be double safe and be sure they're ready for duty when needed. Turns signals are one thing, but when you hit that flasher button, you need the peace of mind that only synthetic blinker fluid can give. I have found Royal PITA to be the best brand.

Charlie

 

I just bought a Orbital it's made by Exide.

 

I use Delco professional top post. 50 month free replacement.

 

We have two Red Tops here. One in my 70. It just about has to be jumped off every time I want to drive the car. I am sure it is because of non use. My son has one in his 2000 Camaro and it works like a champ. Starts the car every time and not one problem out of it. I think the Red Tops are probably pretty good batteries but if they are not being used they need to be on the charger.

 

 

I WILL NEVER OWN AN OPTIMA. Based off all the horry stories i've heard here and on certain tech site... over price and for what??? some weight savings? i'll take a battery that always works at a fraction of the cost...

 

I bought a Delco battery for my Blazer at the dealer. Warranty is 60 months! If battery fails ONE DAY before they replace it for nothing! Trust me its true...they have replaced it for nothing already! I think they go on the theory that most people don't keep cars as long as I do !

 

...another bash the OPTIMA battery discussion...
I've been using them prior to the public even being able to buy them. I've never had one fail. The fleet of my employer used them to test in AZ heat. Not one failure. The fleet of a similar CO employer used them to test in cold. Not one failure to my knowledge.
I have them in all of my personal vehicles except for my new Silverado. It will get a new OPTIMA in three years whether the oem DELCO battery is still functional or not.
The longest I've had an OPTIMA battery last was seven years, using a float maintenance charger during storage periods. The buyer of that car was still using the same battery and charger two years after he bought it from me.
Any battery will lose charge in modern electronics laden vehicles if not driven, or stored for prolonged periods while supporting the electronics. I just read a technical article that said a new battery in a modern electronics laden vehicle will lose a significant % (40% was the claim) of its full charge after only 12 days of non charging.
You need some type of supportive periodic charging, preferably a float maintenance type charger. I also don't need acid damaged computer woes in my future.

 

Got a red top, no probs. Maybe your car?

 

The main reason I went with the red top was the best jel they had....I d rather pay for a new battery every three years as opposed to dealing with the damage I v seen from leaking.....

 

Actually, the best AGM battery on the planet right now is the Sears Platimum. At $180 each, it's better be good. That being said, I don't think I'll spend more than $100 on a replacement battery - too many Optima horror stories and too much money for the Sears. As mentioned, the latest AC Delco Professional battery has a much stronger case, one in which terminal post areas have been beefed up to a point where leakage is very unlikely, even for side post batteries. In fact, AC Delco is so confident in the longevity of ther Professional batteries, that they provide a free replacement warranty for 50 months - longer than any other battery manufacturer.

 

My RT is 4 years old and no problems. BTW, RTs are NOT "gell" batteries.

 

had a RT in a 99 f-bird (100,000. miles) DD worked great started every time first crank will by one when my current battery goes bad

 

I've seen people at car shows using 12V Solar Panel Battery Chargers [S-1113]
According to what I've been told they work great.