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My ancient USA made Optima battery is dying...

Keitha

Keitha

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This battery has served me well for over at least 10 years. I really can't remember when I bought it, so it easily could be 12 - 15 years old. It seems that it is starting to give up the good fight. It starts great if I drive my Suburban every few days, but if it sits for a week, the first start is getting a bit slow. It still gets the job done, but just not like it has.
I couldn't ask for anything more from a battery. I have not had the best luck with a Yellow top that I bought a few years back, so I am not sure what I will replace this Red top with. I only wish the Optimas were still the same and made here in the USA. Maybe I will look at the DiHard Platinum line...
Optima.JPG Optima-2.JPG
 
My friend just lost his after 16 years of service. In my Wife's Jeep, we've replaced hers 3 times in 5 years.
 
Just lost mine last year, had it for 12. It served me well.

I have heard lots of good from Napa's AMG batteries. Or from the Odyssey line.
 
If I let my suburban with yellow top sit for a week or two, the truck will barely start. Yellow top was warranty replacement a year or two ago (Johnson Controls). They just aren't what they were 12-15 years ago.....
 
My 3 year old red top is excellent. I start my rig in what is usually three month intervals. Never fails to have full power. Are yall sure your systems are in tip top shape?

My prior red top was sold with 8 years on it. They used to be great. Now they aren't all that bad.

As a retailer I will say I warrantied out 4 yellow tops in August so far. 1 red.
 
My new red top seems to be kicking ass too, but I hear a lot of bad stuff from everyone else. Mine was given to me so....
 
Don't go Optima again!!! I made that mistake because my older ones were awesome and last 10+ years. So when my buddy who works for the Sheriffs department got me a killer deal on 2 new ones (1 red and 1 yellow) I decided to get them even though I had read the bad reviews. I even bought the special Optima charger. Well the red top didnt even last 3 weeks, I charged them exactly like they recommended before putting them into the Blazer (dual battery setup), after the first week it was cranking slow so i put them back on the charger and disconnected them from the truck for a week to make sure I didnt have a draw on the blazer but after the second week of them just sitting in the Blazer not hooked up and not being used the red top was ****ing dead!!! like not even reading on the charger dead and when I checked the voltage it was .7 volts!!! and the yellow top was around 11 volts. I'm still using the yellow top to run the blazer but if it sits for more than a week the battery will show a draw down. Im returning the red one but its a hassle.

Also if you notice they dont even put the dates on them anymore
 
I have a red top optima that i got for free from a part store when i worked there.

It was returned defective because the polarity was reversed...... I hooked that B up backwards in my woods truck and its been good for 3 years now!
 
Optima's are junk now! They use to be worth the money. To keep an optima going these days if you don't daily drive the vehicle you have to keep a battery tender on it. I had a couple last 12 plus years when they were made in the USA! Interstate batteries seem to be pretty good. I had 11 or 12 at one time between my derby cars, race cars, camper and daily drivers. I'm down to 2 now.
 
Just FYI I went to Sears a few months back to price a Diehard Platinum and they don't carry them anymore... not sure if they just quit mfg. them all together or what but the sales rep said they couldn't get them.
 
The Duralast batteries that were used for probably several years prior to being put in in my '82 GMC 6.2 are STILL in it,and I got the truck in 2003 !..one is a "Duralast Gold" ,the other is just a plain black cased version..

Now that I wrote this,they will die instantly most likely...

I hear they aren't as good as they used to be either,like most everything else we buy nowadays..:(..
When it comes to batteries I feel its a crap shoot whether you'll get a good one no matter who's name is on the label now..
 
diesel4me said:
When it comes to batteries I feel its a crap shoot whether you'll get a good one no matter who's name is on the label now..
Click to expand...

I agree. Pay ~$90 for a cheapy wal-mart that lasts 5 years, or ~$180 for an optima that might last double that. Maybe.

Keep a battery tender on them if it sits. The solar ones probably would work for most who store the trucks outside.
 
My Optima D34 yellow top that i got in '11 has been doing great.

i have also had good results with AC Delco professional line.

i may try Oddyesy if i want to continue with deep cells. i don't have a whole lot of confidence with recent optima product.
 
It's very sad but the platinum's are not around anymore. DEKA makes some decent batteries under various names. I think orileys has some under their house brand if my memory is still working.
 
1000 CCA Interstate Battery ! I've tried many others. People always say "ya but..."
 
Try a ground test see if there is current drawing from somewhere it happens a lot with the dome light or switch I took out dome light bulb in my old camaro and no more dead batteries and had to do the same in my father in laws truck he would have to go get a battery every year cause he would kill it cause he dosent drive it but once a month
 
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