Which Optima battery? Has yours died on you?

[TX Mudder]

I searched the past 6 months posts and didn't find a similar post.
Red top: $110 online. Called a 'starter' battery.
Yellow top: $130 - $150 online. Deep-cycle.

It looks like most guys uses the red top.
For my application, I have one battery only, recharged by a 100 amp alt.
I don't run a winch, big stereo, or really anything but the MSD ingition and a cheap cassete deck.

What about longevity? The red top has a 24 months free replacement warranty, but I'm not sure if it's one where you take it to the point of purchase and replace it, which would be tough for me since I'd probably buy online for the savings.
-- Mike

 

[mudhog]

i had a red top that died on me after only 1 ear but it would still if you let it set for about 20-30min would charg itself back up enough to start my blazer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif i took it back and upgraded to a yellow top i do run a winch and big stereo off it and have had no problems in the last year with it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Burt4x4]

I bought my first red top in 1995 and it is still my Main battery. My backup battery was bought in 1999. Both are still in my K5 and have never skiped a beat.

 

[OL14BLAZ]

I run a Red top also, bu I've only had it for a couple of months now /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif /forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif

Eric.

89K5/14FF/D60/2-1/2"Superlift/ORD Stuff/More coming!!

 

[Cmoe]

I bought my first Red top about 12 or 13 years ago. I am on my 3rd battery. Once Free replacement and the other was out of warrenty. Love them..... /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[kickinasphalt383]

i run two yellow tops. they have been great for a year and a half now. expensive though! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[reddog64]

i got a red top from 4wpw for 93 bucks...
i used it for 2 weeks untill it spun the starter soo fast the motor blew up.... /forums/images/graemlins/angryfire.gif

well actually it just blew up on it's own but that sounds cooler... /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[woody9]

hmm, of all the replies, only 1 in the (heavy)'Snow Belt' (Mich).
Wonder if there's any meaning in that? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Skigirl]

I have a red and a yellow. I pretty well toasted the red last year on the way to Utah (in the winter). Red wouldn't start the truck at 20 below, but the red and yellow together did just fine. The red still starts the truck fine in typical So Cal weather.

 

[Chris_T]

I've had a red top for three years and have let it sit all winter without starting the truck and it's fired the truck up. Drained it a couple times and no loss of performance after I charged it.

 

[Chris_T]

I'm in MO now, but it was three Alberta winters my battery lasted through. Ended up giving my battery blanket away

 

[chulisohombre]

i ahve the red top in PA.had no trouble except my starter going out,but that wsasnt the batterys fault.it was the oil leak i still havent found yet.

 

[woody9]

Well, it sounds better with all the input from you 'Northern Folks'.
SkiGirl - I remember that trip (or at least the message threads about it! Seems that's the stuff memories are made of, eh?... (and thin wallets!))

 

[Skigirl]

Yea, memories...(read "recurring nightmares"). I spent a bundle on that trip. And somehow I still am spending. How is that??? /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif

I still have that library card I got that kept me in touch with everyone when I was stranded in Barstow. Maybe one day I'll turn it into my avitar!

That red top was never the same after that trip, but it still starts the truck!