Are Optima batteries worth it?

[chrisreale]

I think they are called Optima. They look pretty fancy, and claim to have added life etc... but are they worth the bucks they cost?

[derek_sf]

they won't leak acid and further rust your car, I think that's the main selling point.

[Paul_Heery]

I just installed an Optima in my 914. I've had it in for a couple of weeks and it works just fine. My main reason for getting the Optima is that it is a Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery. Although my car rarely, if ever, sees rain I really didn't want to expose my car to any detrimental side-effects if it did. Additionally, even though it is installed securely, I didn't want a battery that could potentially spill acid during an Autocross.

The Optima propaganda...excuse me, literature also states that, "It'll last up to 3 times longer than other batteries" and "It can sit unused 3 times longer than other batteries". I'll have to let you know if those claims stand up.

[odie]

I like mine a lot. Got a yellow top deep cycle. About $170 I think. Bought it over 5 years ago. Mail ordered it when I was in Greece for my jeep. Sold Jeep and put it in my 914. 914 sits for long time as it's not currently registered. Still starts. Lesser batteries needed a jump or charger when the 914 sat too long.

Great battery. Pricey but I'm getting my money's worth.

I'd buy one again, maybe a Red Top and save a few $.

[SummerSledSix]

I think so. They're smaller than most, you can install them sideways if you want, no splash worries, and they crank like there's no tomorrow.

[guards73/2.0]

Yes. Any other battery will elute sulfuric acid directly onto important structural chassis members each time it gets wet, and the difference in price compared to standard batteries will buy like, ZERO repair work of this type, so yeah, it's worth it.
Any sealed battery is fine (Exide, etc.) not just Optima. I had
one go down on me this winter, BTW, so they're not infallible, but they're warranteed to be so who cares.

[Lawrence914]

Yep. A sealed Optima-type battery is absolutely worth the few extra dollars. (And I'm notoriously cheap.)

-L

[3D914]

Yup!

Had mine for over a year now. The real question is - Is your 914 worth it?

Mine is!

[BenI]

They have a good warrantee, and a long life as well as a lot of power. I've had mine sit for a month and I used it to power a work lamp while I repaired the car-car cranked right up with no charging. Works really well in low temps too! It's a lot of money up front but I think it's a good investment, especially with a 30 year old car that may have electrical gremlins that a good reliable battery will eliminate extra variables.

[6 Shooter]

I've had an Optima in my car since maybe '94 or '95?? I wanted a gel cell that would not leak. In the beginning, they were even selling blem Optimas that had only a cosmetic defect.
On the way back from the '98 Historics, a rock lunched my windshield on the Grapevine (I 5). I reported it to my insurance, so it was covered no charge. The car sat from August '98 until May 2001. I didn't disconnect the Optima, never even opened the door. It sat outside under a couple of car covers. In May, last year, when I was going to get the car ready to have the windshield replaced, I planned on recharging or replacing the Optima, pulling the plugs and putting some oil in the cylinders before cranking/starting it. When I opened the door, the interior light was still working (analog Blau radio, no memory). I pulled the Optima and before hooking up the charger, I load tested it. I didn't use a carbon pile VAT, just a small hand held Snap-On batt. tester. Instead of the normal 15 seconds, I held the button down for 25 seconds, the resistor in the back of the tester was glowing BRIGHT ORANGE. The volt meter still read 10.5 volts. minimum is 9.6volts. If I had already lubed the cylinder walls, I think that it would have cranked the eng over. I have Optimas in my other cars, no regrets. FWIW, when I parked the 6 in Aug '98, the Optima was already at least two or three years old. It is still in my car and I've been using it as a daily driver since July 14th.

[RustyWa]

How does the Excide Orbital fit in the stock location (LxHxW)? That sucker seems to have posts in every conceivable location....

Also, how does it compare to the Optima in quality?

[Bleyseng]

I was just looking at the Excide battery at Shuck's Auto Supply today. I didn't ask how much. I have been totally happy with my Optima batteries, plus they don't drip acid on the car, the fuel lines, etc...
Geoff

[guards73/2.0]

The exide orbital fits the stock holddown perfectly. I was thrilled!

I've used nothing but Optima's in all my vehicles for close to 10 years. I've always sworn by them, but, they are a little heavier than a standard battery and they don't fit in the stock tray of my 914 well enough for track work. After a day and a half of having the Optima slide around I put a standard battery back in. If I ever move the battery to the front I might go with the Optima again. It's definitly a good battery.

[6 Shooter]

Drew365,
Doesn't your battery hold down bracket fit your Optima? I use the stock bolt in piece at the base of the Optima with a thin, plastic shim so that the bracket doesn't cut/dig into the cylindrical part of the Optima case. If it's sliding front to back, can't you install a spacer to take up the room so it won't slide? It can't be that simple, you must be pulling some Gs... maybe I just don't push/drive hard enough....

[rallyman]

I too like the Optima for the sealed aspect.....BUT has anyone had this problem with them - IF they go dead......they are a b*itch to get charged up to max again.

The one in my Bronco somehow lost it's charge (can't remember what drained it now) and it has never been the same since. I cannot get it to charge up completely - it will start the truck forever, BUT if I leave my rechargeable flashlight in the charger (for example) all night long.....the battery will slip to about 11.5 volts or so. If I put it on the booster it will start right up after about 3 minutes. There will be no further problems until there is ANY kind of draw on the system over a period of time - without the engine running.

I have seen other people with the same problem. I have heard that the Optima has to have a HEAVY jolt to get it to start charging after it has been discharged. Any one else hear anything about these problems?

Thanks,

[guards73/2.0]

Yeah, that's what happened to mine. ( exide) It went dead from an opend circuit and froze over the winter and wouldn't take a charge after that. They replaced it FOC, so I did not care.

[rockaria]

Hello,

I have been looking at the Optima for a while. I had a Sears Diehard one in the car. After reading these posts and looking into the Optimas I went right out and got one! Sounds like great insurance. And the price is just not that bad if you think about it.

I got the red one from my good friend who owns a garage. He got it for a great deal [$110.00] fits perfectly into the stock tray and hold-down. A smidge bigger and it would not have. It's very snug and works great!

Thanks for the info!

[anthony]

I wonder why nobody ever installs a standard battery with a vent tube for the acid? I've seen that on some 911s. It would probably be a lot cheaper.

[guards73/2.0]

1) Wouldn't fit it the stock location
2) Drain tray+ battery= cost of sealed battery
3) Trays crack