I buy only the Yellow Expensive Wal Mart Everlast batteries. They last just as long as anything else, but when they die, I get another one for free, and go on about my life. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

All Optimas are AGM type batteries.
AGM = Advanced Glass Mat
The Gel electrolyte is suspended in a fiberglass mat that is spiral wrapped between ribbons of the electrode material.
They ahave a lower internal resistance ( think capacitors in high power audio systems ) & take a charge quicker & release the electricity quicker.
AGM batteries use the identical charging voltage & rates as a lead acid batteries. The only "car" type battery that requires different charging schemes is a "Gel Cell".
Dollar for dollar, an AGM is the best heavy duty battery.

Now, if you look in your yello pages under Batteries, or Auto Electrical, you will find your local Interstate dealer & many others. Ask if they might have any "Seconds" in the AGM series.

I bought 36 of the 31 series for a boat 9 years ago & they were on the shelf for 2 years. Royal sold them to me for $52.00 each. They are still working just fine. It is an ocean cruising 65 Morgan Outisland & the batteries are all mounted in the keel. THe boat sees shore power 6% of the time. Otherwise, Alternator, Solar & Wind gen keep them going. Draws are tremendous.... 6 12V A/C units, 2 12V reefers, 2 12V freezers, 6 laptops, full suite of electronics w 3 backups for each, 12VB auto furlers, 12v winching systems for all sail controls, 2 bow thrusters.

Boat has done Dartwin's trip 3 times so far....

AGMs RULE.

Ed

I know that an Optima is an AGM battery. What I was saying was that for just a little more than what he spent on the Optima name he could have gotten a better battery, based on my experience and research.

You are absolutely correct that AGM's are the best battery technology out there. I, personally, just don't like the Optima brand... They take too much babying to keep them good for a long time.

For instance, I have a friend that has a red top that's 13 years old. It has given him no trouble at all. But, he has to slow charge it at 10 amps or less occasionally to rejuvenate it. In that 13 years, he's been thru 9 more red tops, all having died from normal non-abusive use.

If these statements don't pacify you Optima lovers, then I have but one thing left to say.




















The Optima red top battery is the best battery in the world bar-none <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

No, those aa Sony NiMH batterys that came with my Sony Camera are. They smoke the rechargeable Energizer NiMH ones.

I have drained 2 Exide Orbitals trying to start my carbed Landcruiser. I jumped it and they charged up again, no problems.

there ya go... I heard something, that must have been it.





I am saving my money for a raccoon tail to hang on the antenna

Compared to a Lifeline or Concorde, Optima batteries are in second place...... and a looooong way behind. There are AGM batteries that are true deep cycle (Lifeline and Concorde) and there are AGM batteries that use similar technology, but with much thinner plates (spiral wound Optimas) that aren't much more than standard SLI automotive batteries with a good marketing pitch.

There ain't no contest between the two, but I promise I won't bore everyone with the research, findings and explanations again. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Frank

You'll probably be happy with the Red Top.

They are not as tall as a "Regular" 12v battery, so make sure you can still strap it down!

There have been some here who seem to chew through them pretty quickly, but I suspect it may have more to do with how they treat their equipment...
Apparently they don't like being baked, so make sure your hood still has a gap at the trim below the windshield, especially if your battery is at the back of the engine compartment.
My truck had a battery shield from Mitsu, and that may help with reflecting engine heat away from the battery.

I've run a red-top for ~4 years, and a yellow top for ~2 years, and both are quite fine. I switched to a Yellow top "just because", and put the red-top in my wife's car. The yellow top is much heavier (deeper), and supposed to be more suited to occaisional run down than the red-top. Both made a real difference at start-up, the starter really seems to kick harder, and the vehicles start much easier and quicker. That alone is a good reason to use them...

Used to use Sears Die-Hards, the ones with the highest amp ratings I could get from them, and they'd last an average 6 years.

But they didn't have the kick of the red/yellow tops.

Interesting differences in opinion. So should I slow discharge it and slow recharge it once a year? I read that the red tops don't do so well if they completely discharge. I am however intrigued by Hazy's story.



Yeah, it came with a try on top which can also be used as a raised seat so the stock strap worked fine.



I agree. The difference is quite noticeable.

My red top took the Louisiana summers befroe I moved to SC. SC is just as hot, but not as much humidity and it does not stay hot for as long. Also, my gen1 does not have the heat shields on the exhaust manifolds.

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showf...&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

Frank