Thats where I've seen em. Turbo Start 16v batteries.
CK5
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Optima batteries, 4/10/18...battery status update
- Thread starter 76zimmer
- Start date
Thats where I've seen em. Turbo Start 16v batteries.
I apologize for the delayed response. I’m registered on hundreds of different message boards and things sometimes get a little backed up. Chris, I’m sorry to hear about the trouble you had with our 51R YellowTop. Generally speaking, the charging system on most vehicles is more than capable of maintaining the voltage of any of our batteries. What our customer service person may have been suggesting was that stock alternators are designed to maintain batteries, not recharge deeply-discharged batteries, which is correct.
Based on the limited description of your vehicle (daily driver, car stereo & alarm), it’s difficult for me to give a knowledgeable response about your specific application because of so many variables. If your vehicle is stock, a RedTop battery would work just fine. Your decision to choose a YellowTop, would suggest an application where deep-cycling was a frequent occurrence.
I don’t know if your alarm system is a factory unit or not, but many aftermarket alarms draw enough current to discharge any battery over a relatively-short period of time. I don’t know if your stereo is a stock unit or not, but even stock units can deeply discharge any battery, if they are operated at a high volume with the engine off (or in bumper to bumper traffic) for extended periods of time. Even your driving habits can be a factor. Daily driven cars that are driven on short commutes can gradually discharge any battery, if the alternator is not given enough time to replace the energy used to start the vehicle. This is a similar scenario to vehicles that are repeatedly jump-started, but the battery is never fully-recharged by the alternator or with a battery charger, leading to a cycle of jump-starts and “dead” batteries.
Zim, your battery is a Gates-era Optima RedTop. jms, the average lifespan of a battery is about three years, although it tends to be longer in daily driven vehicles, versus vehicles that only see occasional or weekend use. The reason is that many owners of occasional-use vehicles don’t bother to use tenders/maintainers or at least check and maintain their voltage and disconnect the battery when storing it for extended periods of time. This leads to sulfation, decreases performance and shortens battery life.
All new RedTops and YellowTops do come with three-year replacement warranties. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
Based on the limited description of your vehicle (daily driver, car stereo & alarm), it’s difficult for me to give a knowledgeable response about your specific application because of so many variables. If your vehicle is stock, a RedTop battery would work just fine. Your decision to choose a YellowTop, would suggest an application where deep-cycling was a frequent occurrence.
I don’t know if your alarm system is a factory unit or not, but many aftermarket alarms draw enough current to discharge any battery over a relatively-short period of time. I don’t know if your stereo is a stock unit or not, but even stock units can deeply discharge any battery, if they are operated at a high volume with the engine off (or in bumper to bumper traffic) for extended periods of time. Even your driving habits can be a factor. Daily driven cars that are driven on short commutes can gradually discharge any battery, if the alternator is not given enough time to replace the energy used to start the vehicle. This is a similar scenario to vehicles that are repeatedly jump-started, but the battery is never fully-recharged by the alternator or with a battery charger, leading to a cycle of jump-starts and “dead” batteries.
Zim, your battery is a Gates-era Optima RedTop. jms, the average lifespan of a battery is about three years, although it tends to be longer in daily driven vehicles, versus vehicles that only see occasional or weekend use. The reason is that many owners of occasional-use vehicles don’t bother to use tenders/maintainers or at least check and maintain their voltage and disconnect the battery when storing it for extended periods of time. This leads to sulfation, decreases performance and shortens battery life.
All new RedTops and YellowTops do come with three-year replacement warranties. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
cdoggwsu
1/2 ton status
The stereo was aftermarket with a 600-watt amp powering four 6.5" speakers and two 10" subwoofers. It is a decent system but certainly not excessive by any means. The yellow top was chosen(recommended on some car audio forums I frequented at the time) as an alternative to an in-line capacitor although in retrospect I question the validity of the effectiveness of either one in my application.
Yes, that is what the customer service representative told me - My stock alternator could not recharge the battery after it had been discharged to a certain point. At that time, my commute was 30 to 40 mins of continuous highway driving and I rarely ran the stereo with the vehicle off so it must have been discharging during the drive, although until it actually died I never once needed a jump or had any indication of failure. In the case of my second yellow top, I did end up drastically changing the commute to less than 10 mins of city driving so I can see where that could have caused the rapid discharge.
My complaint has never been with the performance of the batteries but rather the longevity. In both cases the batteries died in less than five years (but of course after the 3 year warranty was up
) and under moderate if not light conditions. I tried all of the tricks to get them back but neither one would take a charge once they died initially.I'm certainly not saying I will never use them again and I think a big part of the problem was that I had incorrectly chosen the battery for my intended application. Thanks again for the follow up, Jim, your commitment to customer service is appreciated!
I have talked with OptimaJim, and also the Senior Sales Application Engineer about my old battery, and the new Optima's.
Here is what the Engineer had to say....
Hi David
We're glad to hear your battery has given you such good service, but as you probably know 5 years is a long life for a typical battery. That yours is still going after 20 years is truly amazing. It is obvious that you know how to take care of your equipment, and I believe that is a good part of the reason that your battery has lasted as long as it has. Not everyone does the same though, and there is no shortage of people that will post their frustration when their battery gets discharged because a relay is defective or dome light got left on, stored their vehicle that has a high keyoff load for the winter without using a maintenance charger, jump start their vehicle and don't later use a battery charger to properly charge their battery back up, etc and can't understand why their battery's performance doesn't meet expectations.
AGM batteries (like Optima) are a small portion of the US battery market, these batteries can last a lot longer and have better performance that regular "wet" batteries, but you also must do some basic things to take care of them. First and foremost it is important to prevent any battery from resting in a discharged state, and if a battery gets deeply discharged you may need to do some different things to get the battery charged back up again.
It is estimated that Optima sells 5x more AGM batteries in the USA than all other AGM battery manufacturers combined, and we've probably been biggest in the AGM market since the beginning. We have sold and continue to sell a lot more than other manufacturers of this type, so it makes sense that the education issues above will result in more people venting their frustration about these issues about Optima than any other brand. We recognize this and a big part of "OptimaJim's" job it to help people learn and understand how to better take care of their batteries.
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet, but I can tell you that Optima continues to use 99.99% pure lead, and our quality ratings continue to go up every year. These quality ratings are based on both our internal measurement, and based on "junk bin" studies. Junk bin data is a great way to get real life data. Johnson Controls owns Optima, and Johnson Controls recovers most of the "core" batteries that are returned to auto parts stores, battery distributors, etc in the USA. Before recycling, the age of the batteries is noted and average life statistics are collected. This data confirms our internal testing and data that an Optima battery lasts on the average, over 2x longer than most other batteries on the market, and that our batteries continue to improve.
We have been collecting older Optima batteries for our archive, and yours caught my attention because of it's age. Although I can not promise you 20 years out of your next Optima battery, I would be happy to send you a new battery in exchange for yours.
.
Here is what the Engineer had to say....
Hi David
We're glad to hear your battery has given you such good service, but as you probably know 5 years is a long life for a typical battery. That yours is still going after 20 years is truly amazing. It is obvious that you know how to take care of your equipment, and I believe that is a good part of the reason that your battery has lasted as long as it has. Not everyone does the same though, and there is no shortage of people that will post their frustration when their battery gets discharged because a relay is defective or dome light got left on, stored their vehicle that has a high keyoff load for the winter without using a maintenance charger, jump start their vehicle and don't later use a battery charger to properly charge their battery back up, etc and can't understand why their battery's performance doesn't meet expectations.
AGM batteries (like Optima) are a small portion of the US battery market, these batteries can last a lot longer and have better performance that regular "wet" batteries, but you also must do some basic things to take care of them. First and foremost it is important to prevent any battery from resting in a discharged state, and if a battery gets deeply discharged you may need to do some different things to get the battery charged back up again.
It is estimated that Optima sells 5x more AGM batteries in the USA than all other AGM battery manufacturers combined, and we've probably been biggest in the AGM market since the beginning. We have sold and continue to sell a lot more than other manufacturers of this type, so it makes sense that the education issues above will result in more people venting their frustration about these issues about Optima than any other brand. We recognize this and a big part of "OptimaJim's" job it to help people learn and understand how to better take care of their batteries.
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet, but I can tell you that Optima continues to use 99.99% pure lead, and our quality ratings continue to go up every year. These quality ratings are based on both our internal measurement, and based on "junk bin" studies. Junk bin data is a great way to get real life data. Johnson Controls owns Optima, and Johnson Controls recovers most of the "core" batteries that are returned to auto parts stores, battery distributors, etc in the USA. Before recycling, the age of the batteries is noted and average life statistics are collected. This data confirms our internal testing and data that an Optima battery lasts on the average, over 2x longer than most other batteries on the market, and that our batteries continue to improve.
We have been collecting older Optima batteries for our archive, and yours caught my attention because of it's age. Although I can not promise you 20 years out of your next Optima battery, I would be happy to send you a new battery in exchange for yours.
.
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blazin_blazer
1/2 ton status
Optima was acquired by Johnson Controls in 2000, but our quality has continued to improve under their ownership.
from what i understand optima was originally using virgin lead in their batterys..but when they were bought out they stopped using virgin lead and the battery quality went down.
from what i understand optima was originally using virgin lead in their batterys..but when they were bought out they stopped using virgin lead and the battery quality went down.
"We have been collecting older Optima batteries for our archive, and yours caught my attention because of it's age. Although I can not promise you 20 years out of your next Optima battery, I would be happy to send you a new battery in exchange for yours."
After talking with Daryl (Senior Sales Application Engineer) he has offered me my choice of batteries in exchange for my original Gates Optima style....
I have one group 34 redtop in my Daily Driver, and will probably get a yellow top, to use between my travel trailer, and K5 use.
I will try to monitor these batteries and post up from time to time on their condition.
After talking with Daryl (Senior Sales Application Engineer) he has offered me my choice of batteries in exchange for my original Gates Optima style....
I have one group 34 redtop in my Daily Driver, and will probably get a yellow top, to use between my travel trailer, and K5 use.
I will try to monitor these batteries and post up from time to time on their condition.
New Yellow top
The powers to be at Optima offered me my choice of a new battery in exchange for this 20? year old one.
So yeah, I took them up on the offer.
The Jeepster is what this battery came out of, so out with the old....
A new battery (non-Optima) conventional type battery will be used in its place. This vehicle sees only maybe monthly usage, so a battery tender will be on it, when it sits.
The new Optima Yellow top, which will be getting used in the Iron Maiden K5, and my travel trailer duty. It is a starting/deep cycle battery.
This is a new Redtop, I bought in March for my Daily Driver. I will try to keep track of these and post up good or bad news on a 6 mo. basis (if I can remember)
The powers to be at Optima offered me my choice of a new battery in exchange for this 20? year old one.
So yeah, I took them up on the offer.The Jeepster is what this battery came out of, so out with the old....
A new battery (non-Optima) conventional type battery will be used in its place. This vehicle sees only maybe monthly usage, so a battery tender will be on it, when it sits.
The new Optima Yellow top, which will be getting used in the Iron Maiden K5, and my travel trailer duty. It is a starting/deep cycle battery.
This is a new Redtop, I bought in March for my Daily Driver. I will try to keep track of these and post up good or bad news on a 6 mo. basis (if I can remember)
Living Large
Registered Member
Not going to start a pissing war........Been doing this battery stuff for over 15 yrs, automotive and industrial, but ever since JCI ( johnson controls) purchased the company something has changed. The warrenty stack in the back of the store has increased ALOT. Almost to the point that customers are shying away from the product and asking for other options. In the old days, pre JCI ownership, there was no denying the quality of the product, so much so that a common trick if the battery was not holding a charge, was to drop the unit onto the ground from about 4 ft high. Sounds bad I know, this helped move the "gel" around the spiral glass mat, and help break up the sulfation. I have seen more than one unit begin to accept a charge after the circus act. This is just my observation, and I know the "Experts" will argue the stats. On the west coast your best price will be at any Costco, they sell for less than any retail store, and have a no argue warrenty, and yes they also have warrenty returns on a regular basis.
DEMON44
Low-Tech Redneck
I hear the Oddessy group 31 is a serious battery as well. I've got a Optima red top 900cca in my 1.6L diesel Jetta. it does OK
Hi Living Large, I’m sorry to hear about the warranty issues you’ve been having and I’d like to help. If you can, please PM me the contact information for your store and I will have someone get in touch with you regarding your warranty issues. I know I said it in my original post in this thread, but many of the “bad” batteries shipped back to us for warranty claims really are just deeply-discharged.
As you suggested, I certainly cannot advocate intentionally dropping any battery from any height. Charging an Optima at 10 amps and monitoring it for up to two hours can help break up sulfation, but there is no gel in Optima batteries. Using chargers with “gel” or “gel/AGM” settings will not fully-charge an Optima battery and could damage it over time.
Zim, I'm glad your YellowTop arrived safely and I hope it serves you well!
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
As you suggested, I certainly cannot advocate intentionally dropping any battery from any height. Charging an Optima at 10 amps and monitoring it for up to two hours can help break up sulfation, but there is no gel in Optima batteries. Using chargers with “gel” or “gel/AGM” settings will not fully-charge an Optima battery and could damage it over time.
Zim, I'm glad your YellowTop arrived safely and I hope it serves you well!
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
blazin_blazer
1/2 ton status
I'm thinking of the optima trolling pack for my rig...its 2 blue tops that are meant to be wired together in parallel in bass boats for long term trolling motor usage...optimajim is there any reason this would be a bad choice for a dual battery setup in a truck?
Hi blazin_blazer, the Troll Fury case you are referring to was designed for Group 34 batteries. If that is the size of battery you are considering and you don’t need the additional threaded top posts, YellowTop batteries might be a better option. Aside from those threaded top posts, our Group 27 & 34 YellowTops are identical internally to their BlueTop counterparts, plus they come with a three-year replacement warranty. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
Recieved this from the Senior Sales Application Engineer today:
Hi David
We received your battery today.
I took it out of the box and used a handheld conductance tester to check the cranking performance. Your battery, which was rated 650CCA when built April 28 1989, still tested 650CCA.
Hi David
We received your battery today.
I took it out of the box and used a handheld conductance tester to check the cranking performance. Your battery, which was rated 650CCA when built April 28 1989, still tested 650CCA.
Good on that, glad to see Optima taking some effort to make things right 
I'm still not interested in another Optima however (see my post earlier in this thread) based on how mine was dealt with. Their dealer and they themselves weren't interested in any part of it and they have way too much competition that is comperable IMO.
I'm still not interested in another Optima however (see my post earlier in this thread) based on how mine was dealt with. Their dealer and they themselves weren't interested in any part of it and they have way too much competition that is comperable IMO.
You can best judge from your own experiences on that.....I would shy away too, after what you've dealt with.
I intend on posting up the condition of the 2 that I have now. I will stay on top of their condition, and not let them go beyond their intended limits as described in the small handbook I got.
So time will tell.
I intend on posting up the condition of the 2 that I have now. I will stay on top of their condition, and not let them go beyond their intended limits as described in the small handbook I got.
So time will tell.
1BEATK5
1/2 ton status
i seem to be pretty luck with mine.
i have 3 red tops in my k5. 2 for the winch and 1 for the truck.
the winch batterys are at least 12 years old, and are stamped blemish on the top. and they work just fine thankyou.
the starter battery, 2 years and counting. so far so good
this truck sits for 3-4 weeks at a time with no charger/maintainer. and takes some initial cranking to get the fuel to the carb. no problem with my batterys so far
but man have i replaced alot of customer red tops, and the local dealer doesn't want to warrantee them back because of the pallet of "bad" optimas he already has.
there also seems to be 2 different red tops. a taller one and a shorter one. the one i always see go bad are the shorter ones. the shorter ones seem to be rated for more cca. 800. and the taller ones i think 770, or maybe 750. seems backwards, but thats what i remember.
i also purchased an orbital for the xj. price was right, no problems going on 3 years with it.
i will not buy a lead acid battery ever again. atleast there is more than one option these days.
i have 3 red tops in my k5. 2 for the winch and 1 for the truck.
the winch batterys are at least 12 years old, and are stamped blemish on the top. and they work just fine thankyou.
the starter battery, 2 years and counting. so far so good
this truck sits for 3-4 weeks at a time with no charger/maintainer. and takes some initial cranking to get the fuel to the carb. no problem with my batterys so far
but man have i replaced alot of customer red tops, and the local dealer doesn't want to warrantee them back because of the pallet of "bad" optimas he already has.
there also seems to be 2 different red tops. a taller one and a shorter one. the one i always see go bad are the shorter ones. the shorter ones seem to be rated for more cca. 800. and the taller ones i think 770, or maybe 750. seems backwards, but thats what i remember.
i also purchased an orbital for the xj. price was right, no problems going on 3 years with it.
i will not buy a lead acid battery ever again. atleast there is more than one option these days.
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
thats crazy.its awesome it lasted as long as it did and still had perfect readings.i wish mine was that good.2 years and then trash.i had gotten mine online at 4 wheel parts and i guess now i know there was some kinda warrantee.but it seemed like it would be way more hastle then was worth to fight with them about it at that time.maybe it was parked for too long of time and couldve been saved.i did a 3 day trickle charge but it didnt hold.had to do something else.bought a excide battery and 6 years later still cranks and holds charge and i only started it once a month to let it charge and get the fluids moving.this summer finally gona be outa garage and somewhat restored.mine was a 03 model redtop i believe.when were the bad year optimas?
I have had problems with several optima batteries. I replaced two red tops while they were under warrenty, and had a third that crapped out while it was still prorated (cost me $100 to replace.) I run a red top in my DD and have a yellow top in my K5. I don't drive the K5 much, as it is in storage, so I have it hooked up to a solar charger. I have let it sit for 3-4 months without starting it (even in the winter) and it fires up the first time.
