Optima Battery
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,329
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Optima Battery
Had for a little over three years (red one) -starts the car fine. However, if I sit for a while with the radio on; leave the cell phone cord plugged in; leave the door ajar,etc it will go dead in less than ten minutes. If I don't leave any of these "drains" on it, it's fine. Voltmeter reads high 13's and low 14's all the time ---is this just a piece of crap battery??
Is there another one that is recommended?
Is there another one that is recommended?
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
Had for a little over three years (red one) -starts the car fine. However, if I sit for a while with the radio on; leave the cell phone cord plugged in; leave the door ajar,etc it will go dead in less than ten minutes. If I don't leave any of these "drains" on it, it's fine. Voltmeter reads high 13's and low 14's all the time ---is this just a piece of crap battery??
Is there another one that is recommended?
Is there another one that is recommended?
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
If you leave the radio on by having the key in the "accessory" position, this causes teh fuel system to pressurise which uses a significant amount of power. Granted this shouldn't drain your battery that quickly but then again the red top doesn't have a fantastic standby time. I'm thinking of switching mine to the yellow top for better standby.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
As more Optima batteries are in service, it becomes apparent that they have failures just like all other batteries.
I just stayed with the AC Delco, which now has a 50 month replacement warranty if you buy their professional battery. The only advantage I ever saw in going to an Optima was that it was not a side post, so it is less likely to leak and damage other things.
My car is a 2004, so I don't have that problem.
You might consider changing battery cables so you can go to a top post design, and stay with the Delco.
I just stayed with the AC Delco, which now has a 50 month replacement warranty if you buy their professional battery. The only advantage I ever saw in going to an Optima was that it was not a side post, so it is less likely to leak and damage other things.
My car is a 2004, so I don't have that problem.
You might consider changing battery cables so you can go to a top post design, and stay with the Delco.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
I had a Red Top for just under 3 years and it was fine for the first year or two, but later, if I didn't keep a charger on it and let it sit for a week or so, it would be too weak to start the car. Seems, as they get older, once they are drained that they won't hold a charge. Swapped it for a Sears DieHard Platinum.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
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From: San Diego CA
AGM batteries in general hate to be drained much more than the normal electronics current requirements. My AC Delco AGM is more than six and a half years old and still starts the car every time. However, AC Delco abandoned the AGM for a reason; obviously, Optima hasn't solved its "drainability" issues, as evidenced by the hundreds of complaints I've seen on the forum.
The current (for the last few years) AC Delco lead acid Professional battery has a strengthened case, especially at the side posts and, as was mentioned above, carries a 50-month free replacement warranty - best anywhere.
For $90-$100, it represents a much better value than any AGM battery, IMO. This is what I will buy when my battery turns 7 or dies, whichever comes first!
The current (for the last few years) AC Delco lead acid Professional battery has a strengthened case, especially at the side posts and, as was mentioned above, carries a 50-month free replacement warranty - best anywhere.
For $90-$100, it represents a much better value than any AGM battery, IMO. This is what I will buy when my battery turns 7 or dies, whichever comes first!
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The big plus for the Red Top is it wont leak
The down side is it wont cope well once its drained.
Buy a battery tender and the Red Top will see you through many years of service.
The down side is it wont cope well once its drained.
Buy a battery tender and the Red Top will see you through many years of service.
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The battery definitely should not go dead that fast - I'd have to say you do have a bad battery (at least get it checked).
I've had my Optima Red Top in mine for over 6 years and it still performs well. I keep a Battery Tender Plus on it when it is sitting in the garage.
I've had my Optima Red Top in mine for over 6 years and it still performs well. I keep a Battery Tender Plus on it when it is sitting in the garage.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The battery definitely should not go dead that fast - I'd have to say you do have a bad battery (at least get it checked).
I've had my Optima Red Top in mine for over 6 years and it still performs well. I keep a Battery Tender Plus on it when it is sitting in the garage.
I've had my Optima Red Top in mine for over 6 years and it still performs well. I keep a Battery Tender Plus on it when it is sitting in the garage.
A battery has a "designed" storage carrying capacity and a specific current carrying capacity. If the battery is fully charged and not compromised, it should be able to maintain a specific cold cranking current, able to maintain a specific low level current draw for a specific time period and be able to recover quickly once discharged.
Almost Any Auto-parts store can LOAD test a battery and tell you if the battery is good fair or BAD! Sounds like your battery cant maintain a deep enough charge most likely due to a damaged or sulfated cell.
I just purchased an completely automatic battery charger from Home Depot that has 2,10, 20 and a 60 amp boost. It can charge a number of different type of batteries and can rejuvenate sulfated batteries. I tested it out on my jeeps battery that was on its last leg and WOW, it works a LOT better!!!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 177
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From: Tampa FL
AGM batteries don't take well to fast charges when they are flat. The best way to charge an AGM battery is a slow 2-amp charge for 24 hours. I wouldn't declare an AGM battery "bad" until you've done this.
I think many serviceable AGM batteries have been wrongfully thrown away by people who tried a quick 10-amp charge or just jump-started their car and drove it for a while and were disappointed in the results.
I think many serviceable AGM batteries have been wrongfully thrown away by people who tried a quick 10-amp charge or just jump-started their car and drove it for a while and were disappointed in the results.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
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From: Iowa
I have a blue top optima in my SHO and a yellow in my C5. both ( the blue in particular) has been drained completely on many occasions, they always charge right back up and perform perfectly afterwards. I thought the blue and yellow at least were supposed to be "deep cycle" so they are designed to recover from being drained. I always thought they were better for that than a lead acid battery which looses some life any time it is allowed to drain completely.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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St. Jude Donor '17
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
I have a blue top optima in my SHO and a yellow in my C5. both ( the blue in particular) has been drained completely on many occasions, they always charge right back up and perform perfectly afterwards. I thought the blue and yellow at least were supposed to be "deep cycle" so they are designed to recover from being drained. I always thought they were better for that than a lead acid battery which looses some life any time it is allowed to drain completely.
Keep in mind that while a "deep-cycle" battery is designed to be able to be deep-discharged by high current draw electronics, this type of battery has a shorter life than most standard batteries.
For example, standard lead acid batteries often last 6-7 years. rarely will you EVER hear of a deep cycle battery lasying more than 4 or 5.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Had for a little over three years (red one) -starts the car fine. However, if I sit for a while with the radio on; leave the cell phone cord plugged in; leave the door ajar,etc it will go dead in less than ten minutes. If I don't leave any of these "drains" on it, it's fine. Voltmeter reads high 13's and low 14's all the time ---is this just a piece of crap battery??
Is there another one that is recommended?
Is there another one that is recommended?
If you start up, drive 3 miles at slow speed and shut down it'll be harder on the battery than driving 30 miles at 70 mph on the freeway.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,105
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From: Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
Why is this hard on a battery? I do this twice a day. I live about 2 miles from work and my c5 is my DD.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 2
Optimas used to be OK....now they are unreliable. I went through one red top and two yellow tops in less than 1 1/2 years. If you let them completely discharge ONCE they sulphate up and will never again recharge to full capacity. I now use a heavy duty Delco....has worked flawlessly for two years.