optima yellow and charging systems

[rbogh901]

Optima makes deep cycle batteries that have been noted in many threads here and on other bulletin boards. Deep cycle batteries have potentially advantageous chemical characteristics and can be used, per many, including the Optima people themselves, as automotive starter batteries.

Some swear by them, some don't. The ones who don't usually report early failures. Are these failures really the result of inadequate charging systems? If so this would explain why the folks who use battery chargers when not using their vehicles are less likely to be disappointed. It may be that the folks who do not "trickle" charge their batteries eventually lose charge because their alternators/voltage regulators do not keep up with deep cycle charging requirements.

Some folks have now been using these batteries for years. Who has long term experience with regards to alternator/regulator issues in using deep cycle batteries? Just trying to get beyond the propaganda here.

[jsteve340]

You better check your measurements before you consider the Optima battery.I bought one for my 87 and the hood would not close.I was fortunate to have noticed it before I closed the hood and dented it.
I don't know if the earlier 944's were different,but check first before you buy one.

[Turbo_ZA]

I've had my deep cycle battery for about a year now and no negatives to report.
I recently permanently integrated an intelligent float charger into the vehicle to keep the battery at full charge but that is because the car sometimes stands for a month or two without being driven

[flash968]

optima batteries are not good for cars that sit - they also are not good for cars that see short trips a lot - they are deep cycle batteries that are excellent at providing a long reserve, and can go in places lead/acid batteries cannot, but require longer running to charge

i have a red top in my blue 968 - i did this because i moved the battery to the trunk - as this meant vapors entering the cabin, i chose the red top over lead/acid

unfortunately i drive the car maybe once every 3 months - i constantly have to charge it up, because after about a month, it no longer can start the car - no, there is no large drain on the system - it is only about .1 amp, well below the .3 amps that is the "acceptable draw" - it just sits too long - i am on my third battery now as i discovered that you cannot charge them at more than 1 amp for very long - they do indeed explode

i will be installing a permanent trickle charger shortly

[emoore924]

Hmmm, I don't use optima (too expensive) but I use lead-acid deep cycle batteries in my RV and my boat. They're great for running lighting and voltage inverters and such for the whole weekend. I've never had a problem with them. They seem to hold a charge for months, but I do remove them for the winter and put them on a trickle charger. And, when I do need to charge them, I run the generator, or put the 110vac craftsman charger on the "deep cycle" setting -- whatever that does.

No explosions yet

[flash968]

yup - i had the same experience - the problems have only occurred with the wound cell types (optima) - not sure yet what i am going to do as the ultimate solution - i will be consulting with optima on this as a part of a magazine article

[rbogh901]

flash968
are you using the car for short trips? in other words, is there adequate time to achieve charge? if you are using a red top this shouldn't be as much of an issue as if you are using a yellow/blue top. i have come to realize that there is a big difference because the reds are conventional starting batteries while the y/b are deep cycle and this has implications for charging as well as discharging.

Turbo_ZA
is that a red top or y/b?

[flash968]

according to my previous conversations, and the optima site, the colors relate to the capacity - the design is identical - they are all gel type "deep cycle"

i don't drive it enough - that is the primary problem - i mentioned the short drives, because they are indeed too short to deep charge the battery - unlike a lead/acid battery, which would fully charge in 15 minutes of freeway driving, the optima requires much more time - it's fine after about a half hour - the larger the battery, the more time

by the way, no, there is no problem with the charging system - all cables are new and upgraded - grounds are perfect - charging voltage at the battery is nearly 14 - amperage is perfect

having lived with british sports cars for 25 years, i am all too familiar with dealing with charging systems (6 Volt, 12 Volt, Positive Ground, Negative Ground, single battery, double battery, you name it)

as i said, i will be talking with optima about this in much more detail, as i need to define the needs of the batteries much more finitely, both for myself, as well as others who might decide to follow my lead and install a relocation kit like the one i developed for my car

[rbogh901]

Yes, very interesting. It appears the yellow and blue are, as you point out, the same, with thicker plate construction for deep cycle use, while the red top is different construction with thin plate, high surface area, for maximum cranking current. They say, BTW, the blue top and yellow top apparently have identical internal construction. The difference is the terminals.

Here is what the Optima people say.

Did you say you have a yellow top?



The OPTIMA® RedTop® high-performance AGM battery is the ultimate high-CCA starting battery designed to deliver the strongest 5-second ignition power for a reliable start-up every time. The RedTop will outperform and outlast traditional batteries in demanding cranking/starting applications. With unparalleled high power delivery and extreme resistance to the most common causes of battery failure, the RedTop is idea for trucks, SUV's, luxury cars, hot rods, off-road vehicles and other applications that require a leak-proof starting-only battery.

http://optimabatteries.com/optima_products/redtop/index.php



The YellowTop® high-performance AGM battery is one of the only true dual-purpose automotive batteries available. With premium cranking power and unparalleled cycling capability (rechargeability), it is perfect for modern accessory-loaded vehicles. The YellowTop can repeatedly bounce back from deep power drains to full energy capacity, so it can power plenty of electronics and still start you up time after time. Lower internal resistance also provides more consistent power output and faster recharges.

Trucks with winches, vehicles with multiple electronics, cars with high-demand audio systems, commercial vehicles and heavy equipment all rely on this battery to provide ultimate starting and deep cycle power.

http://optimabatteries.com/optima_products/yellowtop/index.php

[Turbo_ZA]

Mine is not an Optima but a Deltec - the construction is the same as the yellow/blue top.

[flash968]

well, it seems that i got bad info at the onset, and consequently chose poorly for my application

i now have 2 perfectly good redtop 3478 batteries that i cannot use - they are great for daily use, but not for extended storage times - unfortunately i just bought new batteries for both the denali and the M3, and cannot use them there - figures

i will see about finding them new homes and will now run out and get 2 yellow top 3478s or 1 3478 and one 7525

[ksudar]

I've had an optima yellow top in my Jeep for about 6 years now with no problems... and most of my driving is short trips - 10 miles or less. And I've even drained it several times from leaving the lights on!

[Morrie]

I run one of these in my 912E with carbs and love it. The reserve power is tremendous, it is very compact, it stays charged over extended periods of storage, and has required no maintenance in almost 3 years of use. When the battery in the 924S goes south, I will likely get one for it also.

Odyssey PC925....

[choinga]

I bought a red top 75/35 as a part of a group buy and have no idea how I'll get it installed. It's a bit smaller than what's supposed to go in there (width wise) so the clamp can't get a hold of it. I'll have to work out some special clamp or tie down to get it to fit in there.

I don't think they make one that will fit in a late model 944/951 without some custom work.