Optima Batteries!!!Are they good???

[cmattatall]

Could anyone please help with purchasing a new Optima battery? The 3 model types are the Yellow top, Blue top, and the Red top. Which one(if any) will fit my application (1970 911 T) best. Your help is greatly appreciated..


The only problem is that Costco only carries the Blue Top!!!!

Chris..

[Adman]

Well I have had a great deal of success with the red top. The blue top is for marine application but when you read the specs they do have a blue top starter battery. I cant tell the difference between the blue 34M and the red 34. On a traditional constructed battery the Marine battery would have more durable plates to handle the rough conditions. I dont think thats the case with the spiral core. I have used Optima for years in all types of vehicles and have been very pleased. I also like Exides AGM battery. Here is the optima site incase you havent been there yet.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/marine/index.asp

[braddb_82SC]

I believe you want to buy the red-top Optima. One of the other colors (yellow or blue?) is deep-cycle for marine applications.

I've had a red-top Optima in my 'SC for 6 years. No leaks, no other problems. I've even drained it twice, something especially bad for gel-cells like the Optima, and it still cranks like it was new.

-Brad

[Lucky]

No, they aren't good... they're GREAT!

I too have a red-top in my car... been in their a little over 6 years and I've discharged it fully a couple of times by leaving the lights on.

One tip I learned a while back is, if you aren't going to drive your car for a few weeks, hook up a trickle charger. Letting the battery slowly discharge and then forcing it to crank the car (while partly discharged) really reduces the expected life of any battery.

-- John

[italcarguy]

i have had my red top since june 1999 and my car starts right up everytime, even after letting it sit as long as 2-3 months.

[arrivederci]

I have Optimas in both of my 911s. I originally bought one for my '72 to reduce the risk of leakage and corrosion. I don't think I've ever had to touch it -- and the car has, at times, sat outside under a cover for 2+ months.

The PO put an optima in my '87, and this battery failed. I think a cell died -- it wouldn't hold a charge. But it was within the 3 year warranty period and was replaced at no cost.

I think they're great batteries...install them and pretty much forget about them.

[azasadny]

I've had my Optima red-top in the 911 since this spring (my wonderful wife bought it for me last Christmas). I haven't had a single problem and made a little aluminum bracket to hold it in the battery compartment. I'm glad I don't have to worry about leaking battery acid ever again!

[73911guy]

Optimas are great - mine is 4 years old and works like a charm.

But whatever you buy, use a battery maintainer when the car sits for awhile. Protect your investment.

Jim
'73 911

[lateapex911]

I concur and I have owned two. A real win win win deal to convert to one no leak battery.

But I understand there are better. Lighter, smaller and more powerful. Do a search and another name will pop up. I have brain fade at the moment, but I will be looking for the same info when and if it comes time to replace.

[Silveresrty911S]

I have 2 optima reds in my 99 Powerstroke which requires a wee bit more than our Pcars and the are great batteries. my.02

Rick

[fintstone]

I have a red. It is great!!

[HarryD]

Originally posted by 73911guy
Optimas are great - mine is 4 years old and works like a charm.

But whatever you buy, use a battery maintainer when the car sits for awhile. Protect your investment.

Jim
'73 911

I am considering a red top for my '73 to replace the twin Lead/Acid ones. What did you do with your unconnected lead?

Can you post a shot of how you have yours installed?

Thanks.

[mwbaum]

I have a red top now for 4 years in my 356 and it fires right up after sitting in storage from October until May or so....disconnected of course.

[Randy Webb]

This may be what lateapex was thinking of:

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/auto.htm#bcigroup

PC925MJT and PC925LMJT
Medium duty 925 cranking amp battery with metal jacket and SAE
automotive terminals. A step up from the 680 that provides higher
cranking power and a larger reserve capacity.
Battery measures 7.05" wide x 6.64" long x 6.08" tall and weighs 26
pounds.

Can be easily mounted on it's edge to accomdate side post
applications.
Side mount will accomadate BCI group 21, 26, 50, 58, 64 and others
Mounted on it's edge will fit the OEM Honda Civic tray.
The PC925LMJT has the positive terminal on the left.

[gerard vaglio]

Sounds like the optima battery is a big improvment over conventional batteries but how does it compare to these odyssey batteries?

What does the red top optima battery weigh?

There is an odyssey that is 26#s and a small one that is 15#s. Can I use the 15# battery in my 911sc daily driver?

[Fishcop]

I've put the Odyssey in my car (driver side) on its side. Cannot fault it, it's extremely powerful and fires my old car up on the first or second rotation. My car sometimes sits for weeks but starts first time... I do intend to add a trickle charger though. Smaller than the Optima too.

[911pcars]

Not sure about space-age, NASA type battery technology, but typically, lighter and smaller batteries are usually NOT more powerful than heavier batteries.

A CA (Cranking Amp) rating of 900 isn't the same as a CCA (Cold Cranking Amp) rating of 900. One rating is at 32ºF, the other at 0ºF. If you're going to compare batteries, use the same rating specs.

Each battery (Odyssey/Optima) has a place. It depends on the ambient temperature and how much cranking power you really need. In milder climates, cranking a relatively small displacement engine, the smaller, lighter Odyssey 925 (360 CCA and 26 lbs.) may work perfectly well, especially in a weight-conscious car. However it might be borderline in colder or freezing climates trying to crank a high-compression V8, especially as it ages. The Optima is not nearly the lightweight at 38 pounds but it's got the cranking cajones (800 CCAs).

If you want to OD on battery info, here's a link to the best site I've seen on batteries:
http://uuhome.de/william.darden/index.htm

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

[Joe911]

I also use the Odyssey 925 in my early car. Fits nicely on the passenger battery box and cranks great. Also not that heavy.

[arrivederci]

I had an Odyssey battery in a jet ski, as did a friend of mine. Both of us had issues with them after a year of use, whereas the cheapo factory batteries would last for 3+ years. The last time I had a problem (right before I sold the jet ski), it was just past their warranty period.

[Randy Webb]

Note that the Odyssey has more CCA and weighs 12 lbs. less.

IS there anything wrong with this picture? Does everyone measure the CCAs the same way?