Battery failed with no warning

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

So I left a Porsche breakfast Saturday morning. My 79SC stalled at a light and would not restart. A nice guy stopped and gave me a jump and I made it home safely. Battery charged to full 12.6volts but when checked failed the load test. I was surprised when I pulled my receipt out of the glove compartment that I installed this Optima Red Top in November of 2006. So it lasted 9 1/2 years. This is by far the longest a battery has ever lasted in a car I've owned. The previous Optima lasted 2 1/2 years. The only difference is this battery was put on a battery tender from the moment it was installed. I've got to contribute the duration to keeping it on charge anytime I wasn't driving it. This car is not a daily driver, actually stays in storage much of the year but I pull the battery and bring it back to my garage and keep it on charge. I have 4 of these battery tenders. I'm anxious to see if the others last as long.

RRico · 06-08-2016, 06:38 AM

I've got an Optima yellow top in my 1972 911 since 2004.
Its still going strong, however I guess I better look into
replacing it since its outlived its expectancy.
My 911 is only driven once every month or two, and is not on a battery tender.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

9.5 Years, that ain't bad at all. made up for the 2.5 defect.

Heck my autozone POS is still going strong after 6 years but I put it on my C-tek 3300 on a regular basis, always starts and stays charged on the road. Knock on Wood :-). I bet I just jinxed myself :-(

gazzerr · 06-08-2016, 10:00 AM

9.5 years wow. I've never gotten more than 5 years out of a battery.

Pazuzu · 06-08-2016, 01:22 PM

My last Red Top lasted 11 months, died suddenly at a light when I stalled the engine.

The one before that died suddenly after 5 years.

I used to buy Red Tops religiously, I will never buy one again. There are better options out now, they are no longer the revolutionary batteries that they once were.

darrin · 06-08-2016, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

My last Red Top lasted 11 months, died suddenly at a light when I stalled the engine.

The one before that died suddenly after 5 years.

I used to buy Red Tops religiously, I will never buy one again. There are better options out now, they are no longer the revolutionary batteries that they once were.

Agreed, major producers now sell AGM batteries in stock sizes at FLAPS