Optima Battery or Better Replacement?

[Mitch Leland]

My Optima Red Top battery just up and died after 4-1/2 years. I want to stay w/ a dry type battery, is there a better replacement for the Optima?

Here's some good information on FAQs on the Optima, and particularly questions relating to "charging"... Optima Battery FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

[wwest]

There is NO better replacement, especially economically, for a standard lead/acid battery.

[porschenut]

Many are using the much lighter Odyssey batteries with great success. When my Red Top goes, I'm replacing it with an Odyssey PC680.

[MrScott]

Deka makes a group 48 AGM battery: Euro Performance AGM Battery 9AGM48: BMW, Audi, VW & More! - Remy Battery
I got a Carquest-branded version locally for $157 a couple month ago. No complaints so far. Deka/East Penn has a good reputation.

EDIT: Forgot to mention this battery bolts right in, no adaptor plate needed. It's about 5 pounds heavier than the optima 35 but with slightly higher reserve capacity.

[sc_rufctr]

I've got two Odyssey batteries. Both are the PC925MJ equivalent. One in the 911 and the other in my VR6.

Because they're the same I can swap them over on a regular basis to keep them in top condition.
Both are about 6 years old and the both work well but are getting tired.

Anticipating the inevitable I've been doing some research.
The local Optima supplier recommended the Optima yellow top for my P car because it isn't driven everyday. If I used it daily then the Red top would be fine.
So far I haven't seen anyone here using the Yellow top...

... He also suggested getting two identical batteries (Yellow top in my case) and swapping them between cars on a regular basis, See above.

[Mitch Leland]

sc_rufctr, If you're happy w/ the Odyssey batteries why not put a "battery minder on the "P" car battery rather than switching batteries? In doing some reading on the Odyssey battery, it appears that it doesn't measure up to the Optima, but it's a lot smaller/lighter, and cheaper. I live in a mild climate and my car kicks over quickly so the battery doesn't have a lot of demands, I might try the Odyssey...

Can anyone say how the Odyssey battery holds up in the car for 2-3 weeks w/o use?

[sc_rufctr]

Mitch

Odyssey (PC925MJ) batteries down here are more expensive than Optima red top. (~$80)
The Optima yellow tops are about $40 more than the red tops.

In my P Car I disconnect the battery when it's parked in the garage with a kill switch.
I've left it up to 6 weeks untouched and it's started every time.
Recently I bought a battery conditioner but that mostly stays in it's box on a shelf in my garage.

[Mitch Leland]

I was reading the post where the guys are using the smugglers box for housing their battery, which turns out is usually a track car set up. Some members have used the Odyssey pc680 battery which is really a motorcycle application. Has anyone used that successfully for their driver?

Relocating Battery to Smugglers Box - Which Battery To choose?

[rfloz]

Relocating Battery to Smugglers Box - Which Battery To choose?

[masraum]

Hey, me too!

Relocating Battery to Smugglers Box - Which Battery To choose?

[RWebb]

Optima now has reduced their warranty to 3 years (full replacement) for the Red Tops.

[Joe Bob]

I use a yellow top....going on 8 years. Yellows have been reduced to 2 year warranties.

Odyssey PC680,, $116 at Amazon, no tax, free shipping....

I love the empty promises....

Product Features
Cold Crank Amp (CCA)- 220; Better warranty: Limited 2-year full replacement warranty, not pro rata; Longer service life: With 3-10 years of service life, ODYSSEY batteries save consumers time, money, and aggravation
Longer cycle life: 70 percentage longer cycle life compared to conventional deep cycle batteries, up to 400 cycles at 80 percentage depth of discharge- high stable voltage for longer periods of time
Faster recharge: The highest recharge efficiency of any sealed lead battery on the market, capable of 100 percentage recharge in 4 - 6 hours; Mounting flexibility: Non-spillable design
Vibration resistance- design protects against high impact shock and mechanical vibration; Extreme temperature tolerant
This item is not for sale in Catalina Island

[PorscheGAL]

I have a red top in my smugglers box in my targa. I have never raced the targa.

[Dublinoh]

Braille sells a replacement "dry type".

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Odyssey PC680,, $116 at Amazon, no tax, free shipping....

I don't think I can trust a CCA of 220 like the Odyssey PC680
a random Optima Red Top I checked had a 720 CCA rating.

it also comes with empty promises....

I have gotten 8 years out of my current Red Top, but noticed I had a consistent 12.6 V at the cig. lighter outlet on a 4 hour trip.

[Arne2]

I've got an Odyssey 925 in my '84, claims to have 380CCA. I can't recall going longer than 10 days w/o driving it, and it always starts fine. (I don't generally use the disconnect because I dislike having to re-program the radio.) I do know that it doesn't last all that long if you are running accessories w/o the engine running, or if the charging system fails. Something to consider.

[Joe Bob]

My Yellow Top has always ran a little low in the voltage area. My Battery tender takes about 12 hours to get to a green light after a long run. But as I said earlier, it's been a real trooper over the years.

I HAVE noticed that batteries have really increased in retail pricing and there isn't much discount at the wholesale level.

[Craig T]

I ran an Odyssey 680 in my race car for four years without any problem at all. That car was started only one weekend per month. I also ran a ChaseCam front and rear, along with data acquisition and lap timer. Those running together draw a lot of juice. The only time I had to jump it in the morning was one day when I left the camera and data acq on all night after coming off an enduro.

I put a Odyssey 925MJ in my restoration hot rod, but only because I know it could go long periods without being started.

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by MrScott

Deka makes a group 48 AGM battery: Euro Performance AGM Battery 9AGM48: BMW, Audi, VW & More! - Remy Battery
I got a Carquest-branded version locally for $157 a couple month ago. No complaints so far. Deka/East Penn has a good reputation.

EDIT: Forgot to mention this battery bolts right in, no adaptor plate needed. It's about 5 pounds heavier than the optima 35 but with slightly higher reserve capacity.

The link takes me to a midwest seller and they want 32+ for shipping to west coast. So, I do a search on Deka and they come as being an Interstate brand. I call Interstate west coast and they say....nope they be a competitor.

I LIKE the $90 price tag. Interstate wants $257 for a Yellow top.

Further searching finds Deka to be made by East Penn Batteries. http://www.dekabatteries.com/default.aspx?pageid=4 I found a distributor on the west coast. $162 retail.....

It seems that the ones in the midwest are blems....hence the $90. 30 bucks to ship. He has 300.

[chuckr]

I have the Odyssey 1200 in my 88 911. The car sometimes sits for a week or two in the garage.
I have an alarm system in the car also. Never a problem starting !