Yellow Top or Red Top?

Misafit

Misafit

New member
Long story short, I got a dead battery (yes it's really dead). So I'm getting a replacement for it and I've been wanting to get an Optima. My question is should I spend the extra $ on getting the Yellow Top (Deep Cycle) or should I just stick with the Red Top (Standard)? I'm running a 9.5k winch, several other controllers and a sound system with an amp. So would it really benefit me to get the Deep Cycle battery or will I never notice the difference?
 
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Misafit said:
Long story short, I got a dead battery (yes it's really dead). So I'm getting a replacement for it and I've been wanting to get an Optima. My question is should I spend the extra $ on getting the Yellow Top (Deep Cycle) or should I just stick with the Red Top (Standard)? I'm running a 9.5k winch, several other controllers and a sound system with an amp. So would it really benefit me to get the Deep Cycle battery or will I never notice the difference?
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I say Yellow, it's just that much extra power that who knows, you might need.

And really, if you've got amps, subs, etc, it's worth it. You're already paying the majority, might as well shell out the little extra it costs for the Yellow.

just my opinion, I'll be getting a yellow top when I quit spending all my money on other shit
 
Try a Diehard Platinum battery, it's being favored over the optima batteries lately.

I currently run a red top as primary and a yellow top as a secondary, I am planning to switch out my red top for the Diehard Plat soon.
 
The first Optima I bought for my Dodge in 2000 lasted over 9 years. It's still good but was starting the V8 a little slow in the winter. Bought a second one at Costco about 6-7 months ago and so far no troubles...


alpha said:
Optima batteries suck after they changed the battery design. They aren't what they used to be..
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Do you know what they changed? I did a quick google search and it didn't bring anything up. They are still the spiral design with gel right?
 
Elton H said:
Optima's are over rated
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I agree. Optimas are overrated. Get an Interstate battery. They have a warranty where if it dies within a year, they'll give you a new one for free, and if it dies within three or four years (I dont remember which one) they'll give you a nice discount off of a new one. And I think they're cheaper than the Optimas. But if you have to get one, get the red top.
 
ya ive got a Interstate battery out of a jetta sure its not big enough for my truck but its been going strong for 3yrs it was free anyways
 
From what I have read, Optima quality went downhill when they moved production from Colorado to Mexico. When I bought mine (August '06), you never heard anything but praise for Optimas. Mine was Made in USA, and has been trouble free, despite a total discharge. Since then, you see lots of complaints about the Mexican made batteries.
 
kball said:
Do you know what they changed? I did a quick google search and it didn't bring anything up. They are still the spiral design with gel right?
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They halved the number of cells in the battery. Instead of having six cells, their batteries now have three.

TheDurk said:
From what I have read, Optima quality went downhill when they moved production from Colorado to Mexico. When I bought mine (August '06), you never heard anything but praise for Optimas. Mine was Made in USA, and has been trouble free, despite a total discharge. Since then, you see lots of complaints about the Mexican made batteries.
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Correct. It's because of the design change. Optima batteries are not built like they used to be, when the manufacturing plant was still in Aurora, CO.
 
WOW...learn something new everyday! Great replies. I have a Wal-Mart battery, what have ya'll heard about them? lol
 
alpha said:
They halved the number of cells in the battery. Instead of having six cells, their batteries now have three.

...
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What?
If it was a 3 cell you'd only have a 6V battery.
Lead-Acid batteries are 2.1v/cell.

Ocerpriced? Yes.
Overrated? Hopefully you'll never find out.
 
KeatonMP said:
I agree. Optimas are overrated. Get an Interstate battery.
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They are all made buy Johnson Controls. Someone mentioned Diehard which are also made by Johnson Controls.

They are made by Johnson Controls to Company Specs.

Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models.

Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries.

Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Optima, Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts.
 
IMO, the reason to get an Optima is the AGM battery design has an increased resistance to vibration and it is less prone to spilling when you are sideways, or upside down. The YellowTop is a deep cycle. Good for winches, etc. Don't know if the Yellowtop has the same rating for CCA that the RedTop of similar size has. CCA= good for starting power. I've heard good things about the DieHard Platinum, also heard that JC doesn't make them.
 
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Ok I am running an Optima, have for years and no issues. Had a friend pull a couple old ones out of an RV and let sit on his garage floor for 2 years. Was going to get rid of them, a very slow trickle charge over several days and the batteries came back and he has been running them a couple years since then with absolutely no issues. The spiral cell and gel technology is a lot safer and s****ier for use off-road since you dont have to worry about spilling. If you are willing to shell out the cash for an Optima and want a gel cell that is even better then look into the Odyssey(sp?) brand. that seems to be alot more popular these days with the off-road community. Mainly due to the diminishing reputation of Optima.
 
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