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Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!!

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Old Feb 25, 2004 | 09:59 PM
  #1  
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Default Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!!

Actually it was venting sulfer fumes after a 4 hour trip from Detroit to Chicago this afternoon. Anyone else have this happen???
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Old Feb 25, 2004 | 10:00 PM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (rozdesign)

It was overcharged... check your charging system to see if anything is wrong with it.

VR :cheers:
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Old Feb 25, 2004 | 10:07 PM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (rozdesign)

I assumed so however my voltage read no higher than 14.1 nor was it rising.
What would casue this? Bad alternator? or ????......
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Old Feb 25, 2004 | 10:12 PM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (rozdesign)

If its a sealed battery, how or where was the sulfur coming from ??
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Old Feb 25, 2004 | 10:18 PM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (rozdesign)

whatever the car is using for a regulator could be the cluprit, I think the regulator and alternator on our cars are intigrated.

The Optima has a vent hole on the top for the gas to escape. I found this out when I overcharged it with at battery charger... that thing was blowing gas out the vent like a freaking train!! :eek:

VR :cheers:
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Old Feb 25, 2004 | 10:44 PM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (vetterdstr)

I over charged mine also. It was really smokin out the vent hole. The top was also puffed up. I bought a new one. The over charged one cooled down and load tests ok. I,ll use it in my boat but not my vette.
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 03:11 AM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (rozdesign)

My Corvette mech. says he knows of guys that are having trouble with the Potima Red Tops.......advised me to buy Stock Chevy Dealer's new batterys :chevy
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 03:28 AM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (rozdesign)

The salesman at pepboys informed me that the red top is not recommended for the vette but to go for a yellow top. On the contrary, the Chevy dealer adviced me to stick to AC Delco batteries only. Of course, this is their opinion.
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 10:22 AM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (go4gman)

The salesman at pepboys informed me that the red top is not recommended for the vette but to go for a yellow top. On the contrary, the Chevy dealer adviced me to stick to AC Delco batteries only. Of course, this is their opinion.
:withstupid: Just put in a Yellow top last night as my Delco died after only 1 year of having it.

What should the battery volts be at? Should they remain steady or fluctuate consistently between say 12 and 14 volts?


[Modified by RskyBns, 7:23 AM 2/26/2004]
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 10:56 AM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (rozdesign)

:eek: DAYUM!!
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 11:22 AM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (rozdesign)

Smoking is bad.....ummmmk
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 01:01 PM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (fdupny)

Great I just installed one. How oftern does this happen?
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 01:17 PM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (vetterdstr)

whatever the car is using for a regulator could be the cluprit, I think the regulator and alternator on our cars are intigrated.
I was surprised to learn that the PCM serves as the regulator. While the smoking could be due to an overcharge condition at some point, occasionally, a battery will develop an internal short that will cause it to "smoke" :cheers:
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 01:26 PM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (SpyRacing)

Great I just installed one. How oftern does this happen?
Everytime any battery gets overcharged. :rolleyes:
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 01:31 PM
  #15  
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (rozdesign)

Had my red top for over a year now with no issues.

Hope you get this problem solved, let us know what you find. :yesnod:
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 01:41 PM
  #16  
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (go4gman)

The salesman at pepboys informed me that the red top is not recommended for the vette but to go for a yellow top. On the contrary, the Chevy dealer adviced me to stick to AC Delco batteries only. Of course, this is their opinion.
That salesman just wanted to sell you the more expensive battery. I've had my Redtop in for 4.5 years without a problem. Lots of Corvette owners have the redtop with no problem..

The choice of Red or Yellow depends on the expected usage. If you have heavy duty Stereo or aftermarket electronics that cause heavy drain then perhaps the Yellow Top is indicated. Otherwise the Redtop will do.

In most cases it doesn't matter which one you get. You just pay more for the Yellow and get complete discharge protection with it. :cheers:
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Old Feb 26, 2004 | 06:47 PM
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Default Re: Optima Red Top ---> Started Smoking !!! (wwashing)

The *old* redtops were supposedly really high quality. In the past year or two the optimas I beleive were bought out and are being made by another cheaper place now. Now you see their batteries everywhere as well, autozone, walmart, etc, and quality seems to have taken a step down.

My old redtop has been solid for 3 years now, and counting.
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