Optima battery questions

gilabill · Apr 19, 2010

Any experience out there with an Optima D51R in a 3720 or similar?

My JD 3720 OE battery has about given out. Don't really want a Strongbox conventional replacement battery and have searched the forum for an answer to this question but could not find one (if it's there, my apologies). Am thinking D51R (slightly larger than the OE battery), but would that require modifications? It seems it would need a new hold-down setup at least. If so, can that be done slickly? OE battery hold-down is a bolt/bracket at each end engaging a ledge on the battery. No apparent ledge on the rotund Optima.

Slightly off topic, but if you already have a D51R where did you get it? Amazon has them at a fair price ($160) but a review there says that neither Optima nor Amazon will honor the warranty.

BobRip · Apr 19, 2010

I just got a D51 (which just reverses the polarity of the D51R battery) at Advance Auto Part. It was $170. I have only had it 3 or 4 days. It is rated at 450 CCA, but my tester shows over 700 CCA. It's probably over kill, but what the heck.

kennyd · Apr 19, 2010

BobRip said:
I just got a D51 (which just reverses the polarity of the D51R battery) at Advance Auto Part. It was $170. I have only had it 3 or 4 days. It is rated at 450 CCA, but my tester shows over 700 CCA. It's probably over kill, but what the heck.

Bob, just so we don't confuse anyone, the "polarity" is not revered, but rather the terminals are. I know it's nitpicking-but I just wanted to clarify that.

jenkinsph · Apr 19, 2010

Optima has had a lot of problems the last few years, I would recomend you see if an Odyssey or Sears DieHard Platinum battery will fit. Much better battery than an Optima.

sunnyside360 · Apr 19, 2010

Not long ago I went to Advance Auto Parts to buy an Optima for my standby generator. Sales manager steered me away from Optima --- said quality isn't what it used to be. He recommended their Gold line of batteries instead so that is what I got for a way less money and I believe the warranty was better.

gilabill · Apr 20, 2010

Thanks much for the advice. No confusion on D51R vs. D51. My 3720 positive pole is on the right so D51R is what I need, if I go Optima. Was pretty much sold on Optima because I hear mostly good about it, some here at the forum. Had not yet heard that Optima quality had gone down, so have to rethink. Local JD dealer is no friend of mine and was wanting to online order a mailable high-quality sealed battery. Will check out Odyssey. Seems I will have to modify battery hold-down setup to fit Odyssey, too. Don't like to jack-leg battery hold-downs and stuff like that.

Too bad JD plays games with its OE batteries, got 18 months out of it. How much could it have cost them (and me) for an OE high quality battery...

jenkinsph · Apr 20, 2010

gilabill,
Just to clarify, the Odyssey batteries are very good, the Sears Die Hard Platinum are Odyssey batteries rebadged. I don't think all DieHards are Odyssey's just the Platinum series. While I am no fan of Sears this is one product that is good.

I will be replacing my battery in the 4520 very soon (before it leaks) and would rather modify the hold down than replace with another Deere battery.

sunnyside360 · Apr 20, 2010

Another source for battery info is the Ranger PRC Forum. Optima used to have a better reputation there, but the Odyssey is now very popular over there.
http://www.prcforum.com/

anojones · Apr 22, 2010

I replaced my OEM with an Optima yellow 51R. I ended up doing the same thing as in the thread below- but it didn't hold as well as I wanted. I just added a nylon strap (used for camping) around the battery and tray- works like a champ. I also saw that Optima hasn't been as favored lately- but I wanted a sealed battery and that was what was available- I've had no problems in the past couple of years.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...rating/85427-added-yellow-top-3320-today.html