Optima Batteries

[QRTRHRS]

The Optima's had been in my Dodge some six years or so when I sold it. I don't know if the newer Dodge/Cummins vibrate like the old 12 valves or not? I knew of Dodge owners that had a lead cell crack and leak. By the time you discover the problem, the paint has likely been damaged.

 

[Jay4200]

I am always baffled at threads like this one. I have never had a battery fail earlier than 6-7 years, and most last closer to 10. I don't favor any particular brand, usually just get the cheapest that will fit at Sam's. The only early-death batteries I've had are ones that are left to self-discharge (motorcycle sitting in the back of the garage for a year), or that get substantially discharged several times (leaving lights on then needing a jump, for example - can only get away with that a couple of times). I use float chargers on rarely-used items, and don't to anything in particular to my daily use vehicles.

JayC

 

[ultrarunner]

No experience with the Optima, but I have learned to avoid the Interstate brand. I have never had one last like they should.

Dean.

Pretty much run all Interstate... usually the cheaper ones and never had a problem...

They are mostly used in mild California Climate... so this could be a factor.

Have not kept up... at one time, I know they were rated top or near the top for several sizes for reliability and value.

Dad used to carry them at the shop... for maybe 30 years till Interstate closed his account... seemed he wasn't moving enough batteries to keep him on.

Back in my school days... I was the go to guy for the school, teachers and friends... I probably sold 10 a month...

Hard to keep up with change... would like to learn more since I still recommend them.

Lady at work had a starting problem at work with her Tahoe and the OEM 8 year old battery.

The Auto Club that came out to the parking lot, tested it and installed a new one for $115 plus tax...

It has a 6 year even exchange warranty... so the mechanic said.

The only optima I have is in the 1912 Model T... it pretty much runs off the battery since the mag stopped putting out... so far, it's been OK.

 

[Monster5601]

I am always baffled at threads like this one. I have never had a battery fail earlier than 6-7 years, and most last closer to 10. I don't favor any particular brand, usually just get the cheapest that will fit at Sam's. The only early-death batteries I've had are ones that are left to self-discharge (motorcycle sitting in the back of the garage for a year), or that get substantially discharged several times (leaving lights on then needing a jump, for example - can only get away with that a couple of times). I use float chargers on rarely-used items, and don't to anything in particular to my daily use vehicles.

JayC

Me too. I use the batteries from Costco ($70). Heck, they come with a 2 year 100% replacement and then pro-rated after that.

I think the whole Optima domain is more of marketing than that of a unique quality.

 

[rsewill]

It seems the Optima is often used when your battery sits right in front of your radiator (like my Deere 4100). Cheaper to buy a sealed gel battery than a new radiator. I had battery rot around my standard battery so I installed an Optima.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I've been running a blue top optima in my dump trailer for about 5 years. This battery is great, never fails to amaze me what it'll do. It sits for months sometime with out use and a small parasitic load and it isn't charged from my truck. I'll throw it on the charger in the spring and usually charge it every couple months during the spring/summer. Still going strong,money well spent IMHO.

Matt

 

[Down South]

WOW Jay4200 Never seen battery's last that long here, could be to the heat and humility we get?
With the bigger is better, I usually get 5-6 years.
Granted 2 of my last 3 replacements didn't do that. 1 was a lawn mower so that not unusual.
The other was 3 years old but never preformed correctly. Not bad just weakish.

As far as Optima's Lets see a count.
Was your made in the USA
Or was it made in Mexico? That started in 2009.

There are less and less manufacturers of battery's these days.
Anybody makes a bad ones from time to time.

DS

 

[Bigkrank]

As far as Optima's Lets see a count.
Was your made in the USA
Or was it made in Mexico? That started in 2009.

DS

Have 15 optimas made before 2009 still working fine. Only ever had 2 go bad, one after 9 years on a diesel engine. Not going to buy any from Mexico.

 

[scoutcub]

Put an optima in an old Scout years ago, and it lasted for several years with no issues.
Current rig (1 ton diesel) keeps having issues eating batteries. On my 3rd set since 06.....just bought 2 Odysses. They crank that diesel like it's a lawn mower engine!

 

[slowzuki]

The biggest complaint I used to see about optima was the side terminals had poorly sized straps running to the top terminals so when connected to a load like a big winch the internal straps would fail.

 

[Optima Bill]

Hi Lilranch,
I have read through the thread and saw some good information about our batteries. Some mis-information also, but most is good. There are huge differences between our batteries and standard plate batteries. To answer your OP though, any battery, whether is is our battery or not, will drain if hooked up to a system with a parasitic draw. No way to prevent that from discharging a battery to the point it needs recharging. I own a dumptruck with an Optima that sits for months at the time. It has not failed to start on demand in three years. The one thing I would say if you end up selecting one of our batteries is to be sure and due your homework before you buy. Our spec pages on our website (links) will tell you all the important information you will need, like dimensions, cca, ca, etc. Check with your owner's manual or the dealer to see what the factory recommends and try to stay as close as possible to their specs. Honestly, you are wasting money to overbuy your needs. If you need 650 cca, then no need to spend the money on a 900cca battery. One feature that comes with our batteries that would be important to tractor applications is the fact that since they are a spiral cell design, they are much more resistant to vibration. As QRTRHRS mentioned about older Dodge diesels, vibration can lead to battery failure. As far as explanation about Optima options, here is a quick breakdown. Our RedTop is a high-performance AGM and is the ultimate starter battery, a great OEM replacement and probably will do what you need. Our YellowTop series is a dual-purpose, is a starter and also a deep-cycle. It is recommended for huge amperage draws, such as winching or big stereos. Our BlueTops are generally found in marine or RV applications. Except for our Group 34M BlueTop, which is the marine version of our Group 34 RedTop starting battery, they are dual-purpose and make good starter batteries but are deep-cycle also and have additional threaded top posts for marine accessories. When using a winch or any other accessory that draws significant current, we always recommend connecting directly to our top terminals.
I hope this helps with your decision, but if you have other questions, feel free to ask.
Thanks,
Bill Howell
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.

 

[jonyyuma]

Good to see you Bill, and thanks for the info....

 

[ultrarunner]

Bill...

Can you shed some light on the country of origin of Optima products?

I have heard that Optima Batteries are made in USA, or North America or imported...

Also... would like to hear your thoughts on the new family of portable chargers in general and specifically for Optima Batteries...

 

[rsewill]

Thanks, Bill.

I just bought a yellow top for my CUT based on the good things said about the Optimas on this site.

Are you experiencing more battery failures with your new manufacturing facility?

 

[Optima Bill]

Hi Guys,
Sorry, I have been out of town and not able to post until now.
Ultrarunner, our home office is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Several years ago, to keep up with global demand, we built a new state of the art facility in Monterrey. This is a decision that was made by our owners Johnson Controls, after looking at all the options. Parts for our cars, homes and life in general are made all over the world these days and this is an example of how that system works. The new facility uses the latest in technology and produces our best batteries yet.
I actually had my hands on one of the new chargers at SEMA in November and can say, without having to hype it, that it is the best charger ever offered. It is the simplest plug and play charger ever. It does all the diagnostic testing then charges according to its findings. It takes the human error out of the equation, never over or undercharging a battery. It will work with all types of batteries also, so it will be the only charger anyone will need.
RSEWILL, no manufacturer has a 0% defect rate, but that is what we strive for and while the batteries built at our previous facility were great, the degree of automation in our new facility has really cut down on variability and improved product quality as a result. We sell many more batteries now, unfortunately you never have people come on the internet and praise a product that does it's job, just those that have problems. We find that a lot of our returned 澱ad batteries simply need proper recharging and are fine.
I have personally acquired two of these batteries, one Bluetop and one Redtop and have used them for over a year in vehicles with no problem. While I cannot recommend a BlueTop in a dumptruck, I have one in mine and absolutely have not had a problem with it. It is a test to see how it does, and so far I am very pleased every time I start the truck, knowing I am running on a battery that original owner said was no good. The Redtop was a similar situation, that I have had in my K-5 Blazer for months. It gets used very little so it sits for long periods of time. However, it starts every time I use it.
There will always be those that complain without doing their homework, but usually if we get the word out on proper charging and maintenance, we find most problems are solved.

Thanks,
Bill Howell
eCare Manager OPTIMA Batteries, Inc

 

[rsewill]

Bill,

I appreciate the reply I'm glad to hear the new batteries are as good as the old ones!

Regards,
rsewill

 

[ultrarunner]

Any Brand Names for the new chargers?

 

[jinman]

I hope this helps with your decision, but if you have other questions, feel free to ask.
Thanks,
Bill Howell
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.

I don't have a question, but Bill, I'd like to thank you and your company for producing a superior battery. Since I installed a red-top in my tractor over six years ago, all starting problems and damage due to a leaky battery have stopped.

There are two threads here about my tractor's damage and warranty claim. I even installed a battery box on my tractor after the 2nd round of damage repair because of the OEM battery's out-gassing and leaking. When my OEM battery failed in July of 2006, I bought an Optima. Now, I have to remind myself to to check the battery terminals ever-so-often to see if there's any corrosion. So far, none.:thumbsup: The Optima is so reliable that I don't even think about it anymore. I truly "Optima-mized" my tractor.:cool2:

 

[bulldog69]

I paid $250 for a blue top and put it in one of my tractors. It sat for 3 weeks and when I went to crank it I had nothing but a click. Hooked the charger to it (on low charge) and let it run overnight. Next morning the top of the battery was swelled. Called Optima and asked them about it. Got the full court press run around for a good 20 or 30 minutes. When did I buy it, what was it in, what size and brand charger did I use, how many amps, and on and on and on. In the end, even though my charge rate was fine and they couldn't tell me one single thing that I had done wrong. I was informed that it sounded to them like it had a bad cell but because the top had swelled up during charging my warranty was void. No matter what, a swelled top indicated to them the battery had been over charged and they wouldn't stand behind it.

That was a 2 in 1 deal for me, my first and last. I will never buy another one.

 

[ultrarunner]

I paid $250 for a blue top and put it in one of my tractors. It sat for 3 weeks and when I went to crank it I had nothing but a click. Hooked the charger to it (on low charge) and let it run overnight. Next morning the top of the battery was swelled. Called Optima and asked them about it. Got the full court press run around for a good 20 or 30 minutes. When did I buy it, what was it in, what size and brand charger did I use, how many amps, and on and on and on. In the end, even though my charge rate was fine and they couldn't tell me one single thing that I had done wrong. I was informed that it sounded to them like it had a bad cell but because the top had swelled up during charging my warranty was void. No matter what, a swelled top indicated to them the battery had been over charged and they wouldn't stand behind it.

That was a 2 in 1 deal for me, my first and last. I will never buy another one.

Since it has only been 3 weeks I am 100% confident your credit card company will stand with you as a disputed charge due to a defective product.

I was not a big fan of credit cards and overtime have come to appreciate not just the convenience, but also the added leverage in dealing with merchants...