Optima Battery Experience
Thread Starter
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Optima Battery Experience
I'm getting ready to replace my battery with a Red Top. I know there have been past threads, pro & con, on Optimas, but I'd like to get a sampling of opinions from anyone that has recent experience in using Optimas.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Just curious ...."Why RED" and not Yellow ?? The Yellow is DEEP CYCLE, and should hold a charge longer...
I have a Yellow Top "Type 34" because I use it when I race... I make a 1/4 mile run & have to cool the engine down to 150 deg...
so I shut it off and run the electric water pump, & fan for app 10 - 15 min to get it ready for my next run...
I never have had a problem and on some race days I've made 10 runs, & cooled it down after every run..
From what I understand, the RED Top is better in cold climate and has more cranking power in cold... I live in NY and have had it in 10 deg temp overnight & it cranked right over, & I have the security of knowing I have a DEEP CYCLE battery that can be abused and still keep working...
JMO...
I have a Yellow Top "Type 34" because I use it when I race... I make a 1/4 mile run & have to cool the engine down to 150 deg...
so I shut it off and run the electric water pump, & fan for app 10 - 15 min to get it ready for my next run...
I never have had a problem and on some race days I've made 10 runs, & cooled it down after every run..
From what I understand, the RED Top is better in cold climate and has more cranking power in cold... I live in NY and have had it in 10 deg temp overnight & it cranked right over, & I have the security of knowing I have a DEEP CYCLE battery that can be abused and still keep working...
JMO...
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Covington TN
Optima believer
I had a Red Top in my jeep for 7 years, and it would have lasted longer if I were still daily driving it. I will go Optima with the C6 when it needs one just haven't decided if it will be Red or Yellow.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 18,090
Likes: 1,574
My Optima experience goes like this. Purchased one, put it in, works great. Looks cool also. 
Attachment 47675082
Attachment 47675082
Last edited by R&L's C6; Jul 7, 2011 at 09:38 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 3
From: Jupiter Florida
Yea.. recent as in now... have a Optima Yellow Top ( my '05 C6 is NOT a DD so I went with the yellow top, but if DD then red top is excellent)... most of the 'cons' comments are dealing with price as in 'I can get XXX brand at half the price and it does just as well yada yada...' and 'I heard (from somewhere or a friend of a fellow who had read...get the pic) etc.
Bottom line is the Optima battery is a premium battery (excellent performance/build and thus price) and you can not go wrong with it. With the OEM battery in my C6 (which performed well for 5 years) when I was away for couple weeks it would be on a battery tender...with the yellow top (or the red top) away same time without battery tender and when returned checked battery it was 95% and never have had a problem. If PRICE is you main consideration then look elsewhere from the Optima... you will get a lot of comments forth coming about batteries but you asked the question of 'recent experience'
Here is the Optima Yellow Top tucked under one of the forum vendors battery covers>>>
Michael
Bottom line is the Optima battery is a premium battery (excellent performance/build and thus price) and you can not go wrong with it. With the OEM battery in my C6 (which performed well for 5 years) when I was away for couple weeks it would be on a battery tender...with the yellow top (or the red top) away same time without battery tender and when returned checked battery it was 95% and never have had a problem. If PRICE is you main consideration then look elsewhere from the Optima... you will get a lot of comments forth coming about batteries but you asked the question of 'recent experience'
Here is the Optima Yellow Top tucked under one of the forum vendors battery covers>>>
Michael
Last edited by C6FirstVette; Jun 21, 2011 at 07:17 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,706
Likes: 551
From: St. Peters MO
C7 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Since C5's and C6's draw power while sitting, a period as little as a few weeks of sitting can drain the battery to a no start condition. A good battery maintainer will keep the battery at a full charge constantly and ensure long battery life.
I've had mine for over 4 years and it's never failed to start.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,345
Likes: 7
From: Hollywood CA
Lots of Viper & Ford GT folks have their issues with Optimas when u get to years 5-6+
If you want iron clad, rock solid, no issue ever....the Sears Die Hard Platinum AGM is bullet proof. Its made by Johnson Controls which is parent of Optima; and it appears to be even tougher. Nice case too
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=L14
Folks have gone into double digits years with Die Hards
If you want iron clad, rock solid, no issue ever....the Sears Die Hard Platinum AGM is bullet proof. Its made by Johnson Controls which is parent of Optima; and it appears to be even tougher. Nice case too
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=L14
Folks have gone into double digits years with Die Hards
Thread Starter
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Just curious ...."Why RED" and not Yellow ?? The Yellow is DEEP CYCLE, and should hold a charge longer...
I have a Yellow Top "Type 34" because I use it when I race... I make a 1/4 mile run & have to cool the engine down to 150 deg...
so I shut it off and run the electric water pump, & fan for app 10 - 15 min to get it ready for my next run...
I never have had a problem and on some race days I've made 10 runs, & cooled it down after every run..
From what I understand, the RED Top is better in cold climate and has more cranking power in cold... I live in NY and have had it in 10 deg temp overnight & it cranked right over, & I have the security of knowing I have a DEEP CYCLE battery that can be abused and still keep working...
JMO...
I have a Yellow Top "Type 34" because I use it when I race... I make a 1/4 mile run & have to cool the engine down to 150 deg...
so I shut it off and run the electric water pump, & fan for app 10 - 15 min to get it ready for my next run...
I never have had a problem and on some race days I've made 10 runs, & cooled it down after every run..
From what I understand, the RED Top is better in cold climate and has more cranking power in cold... I live in NY and have had it in 10 deg temp overnight & it cranked right over, & I have the security of knowing I have a DEEP CYCLE battery that can be abused and still keep working...
JMO...
Last edited by SUB VETTE; Jun 20, 2011 at 08:01 PM. Reason: spelling
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
I'm also in San Diego and use a red top since I don't need to keep it on a battery charger for storage. I also have a 750 watt stereo amp directly connected and although I get a DTC occasionally there's never a failure. This battery is powerful. Always an explosive start-up
The Optima Red Top is a lead-acid, AGM gel battery and one of the few that is recommended for the Corvette. I use the group 25, part #9025-160. Great, reliable and fast starting - however it's heavy (31.7lbs) so for the track I use a light weight (6.6 oz) Braille Carbon Fiber racing battery.
[added]
The COSTCO price of $128 is a very good deal. I'd jump on it. I paid $179 for mine at AutoZone, but had no choice as my OEM was completely dead and I was driving on a jump.
The Optima Red Top is a lead-acid, AGM gel battery and one of the few that is recommended for the Corvette. I use the group 25, part #9025-160. Great, reliable and fast starting - however it's heavy (31.7lbs) so for the track I use a light weight (6.6 oz) Braille Carbon Fiber racing battery.
[added]
The COSTCO price of $128 is a very good deal. I'd jump on it. I paid $179 for mine at AutoZone, but had no choice as my OEM was completely dead and I was driving on a jump.
Last edited by keyplyr; Jun 20, 2011 at 08:22 PM. Reason: added info
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I've had a Red Top in my DD for 6+ years with no issues and with a large-ish (1200W) stereo.
I have a Red and a Blue Top (marine version of yellow) in my boat, again with no problems with either.
However, my C2's charging system didn't seem to 'like' the Red Top and it failed prematurely.
I'm leaning towards the Sears Platinum when I replace my '06 OEM.
YMMV.
I have a Red and a Blue Top (marine version of yellow) in my boat, again with no problems with either.
However, my C2's charging system didn't seem to 'like' the Red Top and it failed prematurely.
I'm leaning towards the Sears Platinum when I replace my '06 OEM.
YMMV.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,032
Likes: 3,567
From: Central MO
The Sears Platinum has better ratings. That's probably what I'll buy when the AC Delco shoots craps in the Vette.
I've got a Red Top in my Avalanche that's about 6 years old now. The first one I bought shot craps in about a year but it was replaced free under warranty. There was a bad batch of batteries when I bought the first one as I saw numerous posts in multiple forums about bad Red Tops. I've had no issues with the replacement. I don't drive the Av that much so I have a Ctek battery tender hooked up when I know I won't be driving it for a few weeks.
I've got a Red Top in my Avalanche that's about 6 years old now. The first one I bought shot craps in about a year but it was replaced free under warranty. There was a bad batch of batteries when I bought the first one as I saw numerous posts in multiple forums about bad Red Tops. I've had no issues with the replacement. I don't drive the Av that much so I have a Ctek battery tender hooked up when I know I won't be driving it for a few weeks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 406
From: Syracuse New York
I used an Optima Yellow Top in my Saleen Mustang (basically a race car with a license plate, high compression, high HP, electric water pump, big electric fans, etc.), no issues at all, just keep the CTek on it if you're not running the car often.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
optima yellow top in my car as its designed for more deep cycles than a red top, type D35 tho I think a 34 will fit I've seen several people mention it.
I have a 1100 watt rms amp in my car that I've run with the car off for 45-60 mins several times and the voltage never dropped below 12 and it cranked right up after.
Its a good battery if you get a good one, or a horrible battery if you get a defective one personally I would prefer a Kinetik or Shuriken battery but couldnt get one to fit and clamp down
I have a 1100 watt rms amp in my car that I've run with the car off for 45-60 mins several times and the voltage never dropped below 12 and it cranked right up after.
Its a good battery if you get a good one, or a horrible battery if you get a defective one personally I would prefer a Kinetik or Shuriken battery but couldnt get one to fit and clamp down
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 23
From: Katy Texas
Well, I can see I'm going against the grain here, but my original Delco lasted 5 years in my 06 Z and I replaced it with a Red Top. For some reason the car would hesitate sometimes when starting, something that had never happened before. All connections were good, I could never figure this out, and it got to be a real pain. I replaced it with another Delco, and never had any more problems. The Red Top is sitting in my garage now...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 7
From: Bluffton,SC
For those that are saying it is a great battery "as long as you keep a charger on it if you are not driving it regularly"
Is that not the point of an Optima?So they hold a charge longer than a regular battery?
I would like to buy the best battery when mine goes and I don't mind spending the money if I am getting something better,but if I always have to keep it on a tender when I am not driving it what am I gaining?
My factory battery is kept on a tender and is still perfect after 4 years.
Is that not the point of an Optima?So they hold a charge longer than a regular battery?
I would like to buy the best battery when mine goes and I don't mind spending the money if I am getting something better,but if I always have to keep it on a tender when I am not driving it what am I gaining?
My factory battery is kept on a tender and is still perfect after 4 years.
