Optima Redtop
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
The vast majority of the time when batteries leak, it's because they weren't properly secured. Now bear in mind that Optima batteries ARE in fact lead acid batteries (not actually Unicorn tears as OptimaJim states), and they CAN leak.
While it's true the acid can't be easily poured out because the glass mat is kept below the saturation point, that doesn't mean it can't come out with agitation and/or wicking effects. Perhaps it's you who should do a search?
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...attery+leaking
Optima batteries are garbage. And I can replace my Walmart battery 3x-4x for what you paid for that battery. But your money is yours to spend however you see fit.
While it's true the acid can't be easily poured out because the glass mat is kept below the saturation point, that doesn't mean it can't come out with agitation and/or wicking effects. Perhaps it's you who should do a search?
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...attery+leaking
Optima batteries are garbage. And I can replace my Walmart battery 3x-4x for what you paid for that battery. But your money is yours to spend however you see fit.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
If you want to use a battery that has, in recent history, received a string of complaints regarding premature failure, requires a special charger, and costs 3-4x more than a conventional battery, then that is your choice.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Optima batteries are basically the Monster Cable of the battery world. And considering the number of horror stories I've heard about them, I just have to wonder why anyone buys them. I'll just keep buying my WalMart special Everstarts, which have yet to give me a single problem, for 1/4th the price.
(Optima Jim will be here shortly to explain how they're constructed of Unicorn tears and unobtanium)
Optima was good when they were a small private owned US company but since the corporate buy-out by Johnson they're just running on their reputation.
I never use a maintainer on any the battery in car. I drive my cars enough to keep the battery charged. I do pull the battery in the winter and I'll connect a Ctek about 1 day a month or so just to keep them charged over the winter.
You can get an acid mat for like $5 and using that combine with actually looking at the battery regularly would avoid any acid damage from happening.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Kingsport TN
You guys are making me worry about this. I'd thought I'd just buy an Optima to replace the "regular" battery in the C5 I picked up a few weeks ago. Now, not so sure. What is the consensus on the best battery / arrangement to have in a 2004 ?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 144
Likes: 2
From: DE
Ive had a battery leak and therefore the AGM battery was the answer. It wasn't a securing problem, the battery froze (and cracked) when i was in Alaska. The AGM battery was the answer to prevent ever having that happen again.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,763
Likes: 24,682
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Had two Red Tops in the past. First one was better than 7 years old when I sold the car and it still worked great. Second one came in my current car when I bought it. It died right after it was three years old. Replaced it with a Sears DieHard Platinum and so far, five plus years later, not one problem at all from the battery.
There for a while Optima was having some problems with reliability on their Red Tops. Hopefully they have improved them.
There for a while Optima was having some problems with reliability on their Red Tops. Hopefully they have improved them.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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Likes: 244
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Wrong
Crack the case on an AGM and drive around a bit and guess what ... acid comes out. The glass mat is essentially a sponge. Now imagine a sponge soaked to just slightly below its saturation point with water (i.e. it's not dripping). Now shake the sponge. What happens?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 144
Likes: 2
From: DE
Guess I needed to be more specific. Got the AGM to help me from having a frozen battery that cracked the case. Not having to worry about driving around splashing acid as in Alaska you weren't driving a vette in the winter.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 354
From: Iowa
Had two Red Tops in the past. First one was better than 7 years old when I sold the car and it still worked great. Second one came in my current car when I bought it. It died right after it was three years old. Replaced it with a Sears DieHard Platinum and so far, five plus years later, not one problem at all from the battery.
There for a while Optima was having some problems with reliability on their Red Tops. Hopefully they have improved them.
There for a while Optima was having some problems with reliability on their Red Tops. Hopefully they have improved them.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Mine haven't caused any problems but they are "fully charged" at 12.4-12.5v. That's below what a fully charged battery should be. Mine haven't caused any problems yet "crosses fingers" but we'll see. I'm not sure if they'll let me return it and buy a standard battery or not.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
OptimaJim has assured me repeatedly that all Optima batteries last a minimum of 20 years to offset the 4x cost.
So I wonder why they only warranty them for 3 years?
WEIRD RIGHT?!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 354
From: Iowa
I bought the first one in August of 2013 and had it replaced this past spring. My receipt stated a 3yr free replacement and it appears that now I only get a 9mo replacement (even though the store clerk stated it started the 3yrs over again). Not sure what to do at this point. I still have a few months left.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,262
Likes: 546
I'm going at 12 years for my red top. I use a battery tender. The fastest way to kill a battery is by letting it self discharge a few times. Letting the computer slowly drain it is even a quicker way to ruin a battery.