Purchasing Optima, questions

[Yukon Jack]

I can get a red top dual post Optima for $119 locally but the guy mentioned he has a yellow top that was used by a guy for about 5 months and he needed something different so the battery guy took it as a trade. He said I could buy it for $50.00.

I want the right battery for my truck but I have heard the yellow tops being used as regular starting batteries. This would go on my 69 K20 with a 454, maybe have electric fans at some point and hopefully a winch but that is years away.

I would assume the used yellow top would be without warranty.

Money is not the issue if the red is the one I should be using I will buy it, but the yellow is pretty cheap.

What do you think?

 

[yellowK20]

Red top has more cranking amps and only slightly less reserve capacity than the yellow top both are good batterys and you'll be happy with either but I would go with the red top for now and when you get your winch get 2 yellow tops

 

[87GMCJimmy]

Check ebay. I just bought 2 brand new blue top optimas for 89 each plus 14 shipping. The same shop has the red tops for 79+shipping. These were still in the wrapper and have a full warranty.

Mike

 

[TrcksR4ME]

Isn't the yellow top a deep cycle? Deep cycles make great batteries for 4x4's. The specs might be similar, but you get every ounce of power with a deep cycle. I have a Pro Comp/Exide Optima knock off, "yellow top" deep cycle/off-road, it is an owesome battery, cranks over very strong every time, even though the truck sits for weeks at a time /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[yellowK20]

I run two yellow tops in my K20 and a redtop in the rest of my trucks the yellow tops are great for running big stereos, winches,Lights, and other High draw accessories But for normal starting the redtop is better quite a bit more cranking and cold cranking amps then the yellow tops

 

[blasterD]

Here are some hard numbers:

Yellow top:
650 CCA
120Min Reserve
55Ah Capacity

Red top:
800 CCA
104min Reserve
50Ah capacity

http://www.optimabatteries.com/

For all around use the red top would probably fit your needs better. It will start better in the cold and power your average accessories just fine. If you run a lot of electrical accessories the yellow top may be better. A trick setup would be 2 yellow tops. Then you would have 1300 CCA and enough reserve to last a really long time.

 

[white_knight]

I use 2 blue tops. They are marine cycle. Picked them up at Costco

 

[Storm Trooper]

I have two yellow tops and I got them from Carquest for $89 each. They are blems but still carry a 5 year warranty.
I have lots of power toys on my truck and have never had a problem. For $50 you can't really go wrong I think.

 

[mudhog]

i have a yellow top in mine and i run a winch lots of lights and a big stereo and have never had a problem with mine /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[zakk]

my single yellow top runs my 4 rock lights and 2 driving lights fine /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif