Optima Batteries

[AlexJet]

I was thinking of upgrading my battery to something with better performance. Browsing internet and different forum I came up that Optima is the best choice in quality/price. But, there is one question, I can't get straight. Which one is better: Red or Yellow Top? What is the major difference between both of them? Some people saying that Yellow is better, others saying that Red is specially made for pick-ups and SUVs, but nobody tells exactly why.

[my034runner]

I was thinking of upgrading my battery to something with better performance. Browsing internet and different forum I came up that Optima is the best choice in quality/price. But, there is one question, I can't get straight. Which one is better: Red or Yellow Top? What is the major difference between both of them? Some people saying that Yellow is better, others saying that Red is specially made for pick-ups and SUVs, but nobody tells exactly why.


When I had my974Runner, I had the red top, and man, that was a great battery. In my034runner, I opted for the longer deeper cycle of the Yellow top. Especially if I get a fridge. Either battery will work, but I think that if you're going to be running any electronics, ie: winch, CB, fridge, lights.... the Yellow top is better. Also, it wouldn't hurt to put in an extra battery in there. Andries has a nice set up with his extra battery, see his post in this section. Might be something to explore. Personally, I've had nothing but great experiences with the Optima batteries, and would recommend them. Just my 2 cents though!! :banana:

[AlexJet]

That's exactly why I decide to upgrade the power. I'll run a lot off accessories and may be a winch sometime, so would need good powerful and reliable battery. I like the Yellow Top more too.

[bulldog]

The yellow top is a deep cycle battery, meaning it can be run down a number of times adn still be recharged and work. Teh red top is not, so after it is run down a couple of times it will quickly loose capacity and die like any other battery. The red top does have more cranking amp (higher output) and slightly more capacity. You can also look at the marine (blue ones) optimas, they seem to fit somewhere between the yellow and red.

Make sure to select the size that will fit and the capacity you need. Optime has a pretty good site and if you read up on each of the batteries they give a pretty good description of the service and obviously the psecs too. Just make sure you can get one that fits and has the terminals on the correct sides.

I am going with odessey batteries myself, as they have the deep cycle capability of the optimas and good capacity as well. They seem to have a good packaging and lots of good reviews.

[TroutRunner]

The blue and yellow tops are exactly the same battery. They just have different terminal set-ups.

Bulldog is dead on in describing the deep cycle (yellow/blue) versus the starting battery (red)

I got double blues on the 80. I got whichever was cheapest for me between the yellow and blue.

TR

[bulldog]

The blue and yellow tops are exactly the same battery. They just have different terminal set-ups.

Bulldog is dead on in describing the deep cycle (yellow/blue) versus the starting battery (red)

I got double blues on the 80. I got whichever was cheapest for me between the yellow and blue.

TR
Correct you are. THe blue only has an extra set of terminals comapred to Yellow.

If you have 2 batteries I would get a Red 1st and a yellow 2nd.

[Mikestang]

I've burned through 3 red tops in my 99 mustang... once they lose their charge they'll never hold it again. Luckily I bought them at Costco, so returns are no problem. I only wish Costco carried yellow tops, because I'm really hesitant to buy another Optima after I've had 3 die on me.

[my034runner]

I've burned through 3 red tops in my 99 mustang... once they lose their charge they'll never hold it again. Luckily I bought them at Costco, so returns are no problem. I only wish Costco carried yellow tops, because I'm really hesitant to buy another Optima after I've had 3 die on me.


I had one Red top on my974runner, and when I traded it in for my034runner, it still was working great, and never lost it's power in all the years that I had it.
But, I opted for the Yellow top in my034runner, and I bought it at my local Costco here in Henderson. They still have some, $149.00 + tax. :bigok:

[expat]

Just to add to the conversation but I am no means sure of this...

If the Blue is designated a marine battery, it should have baffles inside to stop sloshing around. In my ski boat in Oz we had marine batteries for this reason. Now I don't know whether 10 years later battery technology is still the same.....

[bulldog]

Just to add to the conversation but I am no means sure of this...

If the Blue is designated a marine battery, it should have baffles inside to stop sloshing around. In my ski boat in Oz we had marine batteries for this reason. Now I don't know whether 10 years later battery technology is still the same.....
The Optima as well as the Odyssey and many other batteries dont use fluid inside but rather gel or are packaged in such a way that the fluid can't move. This helps in making it possible to mount them in any position, including upside down. At least the Odyssey is, but I believe the Optima as well. This helps to make them far more virbration resistant than old design batteries.

[my034runner]

Just to add to the conversation but I am no means sure of this...

If the Blue is designated a marine battery, it should have baffles inside to stop sloshing around. In my ski boat in Oz we had marine batteries for this reason. Now I don't know whether 10 years later battery technology is still the same.....


No baffles here. It's a Spiral Cell Gel battery. Read below for
Optima Blue Top (http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/marine.html)

[expat]

From their site...

OPTIMA BlueTop Benefits

Starting and dual purpose (starting and deep cycling) models available.
Lasts up to 2 times longer than other batteries.
More power in the initial 1, 3, 5, and 10 seconds of the starting process than comparably rated conventional lead acid batteries.
Constant performance quality keeping your battery running at the same level even as it's being discharged.
Ideal for seasonal use, fully charged, it can sit unused for up to 12 months at room temperature (or below) and still provide the power necessary to start your boat's engine.
15 times more resistant to vibration than other batteries.
Nonspillable and can mount in almost any position.

[expat]

No baffles here. It's a Spiral Cell Gel battery. Read below for
Optima Blue Top (http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/marine.html)

Baffles/Spiral Cell Technology - same difference. The cells/baffles are closely linked to prevent movement of the liquid (gel) caused by extreme vibration that leads to premature wear in non-marine batteries.


Vibration Resistant

The OPTIMA® is over 15 times more resistant to vibration than other batteries. The constant vibration and jarring from waves can be deadly for traditional marine batteries. The tightly wound construction in OPTIMA® batteries minimizes plate movement and subsequent damage caused by harsh conditions - extending battery life.

[my034runner]

Hey, that looks like the info from the link I posted! :rockon:

[expat]

Hey, that looks like the info from the link I posted! :rockon:

:spank: It is! :spank:

Look at the posting time. I was copying it as you posted it. ;)

[Mikestang]

I threw in a yellow top today. When I install a dual-battery set-up the 2nd battery will also likely be a yellow top. I had to lengthen the negative battery cable and use some washers to space the nuts for the hold-down, but other than that it fits nicely.
http://www.mikestang.com/user/image/batt001.JPG

[Teotwaki]

I was in a CostCo yesterday and they had yellow and red tops

[eurorom]

I have a yellow Top, they seem to work better with a fridge and or winch!

Plus i will be watching dvd's at night and I need the power to stay on when crancking up!

[my034runner]

I have a Yellow as aux. battery, and a red top as the starting battery.

[flyingwil]

Lifeline and Odyssey are a much better choice then the Optima. Why? I have seen too many failures on the Optima after drains, and not being able to recharge back up to 100%. IMO if you are considering an optima look into the Exide knock off or even the ProComp version (same exact thing).

But to answer your question, from what I know the Red is a primarily starting battery where the yellow is designed for more Depth of Draw (DOD) capacity.

[Duc Hunter]

I had a yellow top in my FJ40, must have completely flattened it 20 times, it would always charge RIGHT back up and work perfect. I liked it so much I moved it to my Galant Rally car, where again I flattened it often (funny how that can happen on a project car) and it never once failed me. We do not need cranking amps, our cars have low compression and are not hard to crank over, even when VERY hot, so I would not worry about that.

I will switch to 2 Yellow Optima's when I go through everything here in a few months, and won’t look back. Now I would like a much higher output alternator.....but that is another story!

[flyingwil]

I had a yellow top in my FJ40, must have completely flattened it 20 times, it would always charge RIGHT back up and work perfect. I liked it so much I moved it to my Galant Rally car, where again I flattened it often (funny how that can happen on a project car) and it never once failed me. We do not need cranking amps, our cars have low compression and are not hard to crank over, even when VERY hot, so I would not worry about that.

I will switch to 2 Yellow Optima's when I go through everything here in a few months, and won’t look back. Now I would like a much higher output alternator.....but that is another story!

What are you running to drain the battery completely so many times?

[Duc Hunter]

Depends on which time. Winching, it was a second car so sitting for long periods of time without being driven, had a small voltage leak I could not find for love-nor-money, car stereo install issues, and broken alternators in races........they lived rough lives and NEVER let me down. My 4Runner won’t have not issues at all, but I will still run the Yellows because they are so reliable. If what I did to them (complete and utter abuse) did not kill them we wont here.

[bulldog]

Never say never. You and some folks had good experiences with the OPtimas, some other folks seem to have had bad experiences. I guess like anything else you will find a few bad ones. I believe the Optimas are pretty good batteries, but I like the packaging of the Odysseys better.

Ed (Vegas RUnner) actually found a very need battery for the 2nd battery, with lots of capcity and the ability to package it in the 4Runner. IIRC it is an Excide Marine Gold or something like that, see the dual battery installation thread. It has more capacity than anything else I saw that would in the 4Runner engine bay, which make sit ideal for a 2nd battery. It is also a deep cycle batt. He can report back how it works out for him.