I'm rocking a *used* Optima yellowtop in my Ranger, from 2001. It's bulletproof.

I also have a red top Optima for about 7-8 years, still running strong. I'm with you Russ.


AND, I carry 4' of romex and an 18v DeWalt battery... [/quote]

Fasteddy, what's the 4' of romex and a 18v DeWalt batt. for?

fasteddy jump starts the car with the dewalt sometimes. i just used that same warranty to change out the same battery he is talking about and its been several several years. the duralast gold are great.
john

I was stuck in the woods with no jumper cables. Some kind young person had left the dome light on overnight. I had an 18v dewalt, 4' of romex, and a cheap voltmeter. I used the voltmeter to determine the prong polarity on the dewalt battery (more central prong is +), bent a loop in the ends of the romex and jammmed them in the battery prong cavity with some removed romex insulation in there to prevent shorts, jammed the other end of the romex in the gaps in the battery post connectors, and it cranked right up. I love dewalts. The recip saw is great on forest service gate locks that they lock you in with without checking the roads first...

I thought for a sec there you were talking about getting inside instead of trying to get out <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I've got the immatation batteries from NAPA. Orbital is the name I think. The colors are different - blue is deep cycle , Red is combination , and gold is starting. I have the red and blue in mine.
All these batteries are made in Spain,,,,wonder if both brands are from the same manufacturer.

The only problem I've heard of 'round here is - if you drain it all the way it can damage it. If almost all the way you have to charge them real slow or it damages them.
Comments??????

Unless it's a deep cycle battery you do not EVER want to drain a dry cell completely. Personal experience. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Standard dry cell automotive batteries don't require anything specific for charging - otherwise you wouldn't be able to use them in a car in the first place.

Actual deep cycle batteries require a 'trickel' charger. Also, they are not built heavy enough internally to handle the high amperage draw of repeatedly starting a vehicle. At least not for long.

Deep cycle/starting batteries can be charged off the regular automobile charging circuit or a standard car charger without damaging the battery. The buss' are also heavier so they can handle the amperage draw when starting.

I've been running the Optima Blue top in my vehicles since the very early '90s they've always been reliable. AND, I can leave the dome light on for a week before I'd even notice a difference. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

The extremely handy feature on the Blue top is the trademark 'deep cycle' screw studs. Those are VERY handy for accessories!

Rumor check: Optima used to say 'DO NOT EVER hook winch leads to the screw posts' because the internal buss' wern't heavy enough to handle the current draw. Some time in the last year or two I was told that Optima beefed up the buss' and that now it didn't matter. Has anyone heard this? Just curious.

Edward

And to add to Edward's great info, the yellow top and blue top are internally the same chemistry, when the cases are the same color. There is a light gray case that is a traditional deep cycle, and then the charcoal case, which is deep cycle/starting combined. And of course the posts on the blue top give you more options, as Ed said. I'm loving my dual yellow tops so far, although aside from starting the oil burner, I have really not put them to the test yet.