Guess it's my job as a Moderator to inform ya'll of the bad as well as the good, huh!? Had my first ( & only ) problem with an Optima Yellow Top last weekend ( been running these for several years ). Not sure but the GS was running fine when the wife went to the airport to pick up some friends. When she returned to the car it was graveyard dead!!:eek: I went out there & jumped the car off & checked the alternator ( putting out 13.8 VDC ). She drove the car home but said that whenever she was idling the car felt like it wanted to die. Forunately, I still have the YT in the trunk & it wasn't being used. Most of ya'll know that I'm in the process of deciding whether to keep the GS & re-do the system somewhat or get myself a Z06 ( leaning toward the later but that's another thread ). I simply removed the underhood ( problem ) YT & reconnected the cables to the trunk YT & the car's been running fine since. I've taken the YT to my local Optima dealer & he tested it & found it to be crapped out & unable to hold a charge. Not sure what caused the YT to die but he sent it off to Optima for analysis ( might take 2 months, I'm afraid ). I've recommended Optima for years & still think it's the #1 deep cycling battery out there & perfect for high draw audio systems but just thought I owed it to ya'll to letcha see that even the "best" occasionally have a dark side!!
Will let everyone know when I get the results back.

 

Gene,

I had several Optima bats and only fried a pair.... One split the shell. Both were replaced at the dealer.

Oh...and my .02 Don't get a Z06, they are not that great and pain in the rear to drive at night. I would rather by a 1997 SC300 and do a stage 3 turbo for the same money.

MW

 

Mean Gene???? How are you? Sorry to hear that because I JUST BOUGHT A RED TOP on wed 8-14....
My question is this..... I was told by the "sales person" at Batteries plus that the Red Top was only available in two sizes: Large and small???? He then stated that the small one was sold out, but he feared the Large one (which he had) would be too big for my car, but, after checking in "the book" he said that it (large one) would indeed be able to fit.....
Does this sound right? I checked on the Optima web site and it stated that there is no Red Top for the 98-2000' GS400???
Also, my stock(factory battery) was actually larger than the red top once I removed it for comparison......
The red top I purchased is:
Part# 8004-003
Model #D34/78-1050

 

Hey Gene, bummer. If you get a dialog with Optima going through the dealer can you figure out why exactly they don't recommend the yellow top for everyday use? I have some experience with storage cells and I could see some different optimization with the deep cycle but they seem pretty adamant that for regular vehicle use, the red top is what you want. Do you think you should have a red top for the "normal" functions and stuff a yellow top in the trunk for the sound system? Still like Optima's. One of my guys went out to take the Co. van out a few weeks ago and got nothing. After a lot of years with the Optima I thought maybe we had just got our money's worth. Popped the hood and some low life had stolen it. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water....

 

I have been using the blue tops in stereo situations ever since they came out, but you guys don't mention it at all here? I still have the factory battery in my gs right now, but I intend fully to replace it with a red or blue top.

BTW- did that optima you bought to replace your current battery have the pos and neg posts on the correct sides? That could be why they show no listing for that car???

 

Gang - Well, I'm not an Optima expert but a friend owns a battery store & I picked his brain for this info. He's not aware of 2 different sizes for the Optima & I have the "larger" one ( if there is such a version? ) in both the trunk & underhood. It has dual terminals ( which is the reason for 2 different part numbers ). One version has only top posts while the other has dual posts. Just go to www.optimabatteries.com for more info. I thought the Blue Top was for marine applications? I guess as long as it's cold cranking amps is adequate, U can use it in a street application.
Ron - Never been told that U can't use a YT for everyday use. It's dsigned for deep cycling use ( like big stereos or high amperage draw lighting ). The RT is generally recommended for most people - it's designed for starting primarily. In fact, I have an 8 year old one in my work truck ( S-10 ) & it's seen it's share of abuse. remember that I once had ( 12 ) 10" woofers in there!!

 

I have a Red Top up front and a Yellow Top in the back. Thank God...no problems! My friends at the stereo shop have started using some of the Blue Tops recently but only for cosmetic reasons. They also have had only 2 (maybe) YTs go bad. Thats actually a pretty good record compared to a "normal" batt.

I went through (3) of the "Lexus" batts. from the dealership in 8 months. But the Red Top is still going strong.

Chalk it up to "one of those things."

Todd

 

Hey Gene, I went to the Optima site and I think they have a little more information up there than they used to. The van that we have at work with the RedTop is a pretty simple beast and that looks ideal for the RedTop. To tell you the truth, most all of the modern cars have a not inconsiderable current draw when off (my bimmers could really not sit a week if I was out of town without requiring a recharge for starting). From reading the current data, it looks like the yellow top would be pretty much the preferred battery especially if you toss in a high draw sound system or prolonged parking. Oh well, maybe they can find out what happend to yours. I remember from the good old days that Die Hards were aptly named. The opinion was that they weren't bad batteries for the times but when they went, they really went all at once and were shot. Live and learn.

 

2 of mine died

there is no bigger or smaller YT. One version has side polls and other one does not. They are the same size tho.

 

The only "smaller" Optima Battery is a 6 volt... I have seen some people get creative mounting these is series for the 12v. Many times they fit in the fender cavity above the wheel.

Good Luck.

MW

 

Ron - My RT hasn't let me down in 8 years & remember that my job sometimes requires me to stay offshore ( onsite ) for up to 21+ days. All this time the S-10 sits outside in all kinds of weather & exposed to the sun & other elements. Also, I generally have driven 100+ miles to the airport at night with all the lights burning & the stereo ( VERY basic one now!! ) & the faithful RT cranks me whenever I get back in!! I'm just chalking the bad YT off to blind luck ( bad, of course ) because I went back with another one in it's place. Still want to hear from Optima about the first one, though.

 

Well, this is good info to hear.... The red-top model I got corresponds with what Gene posted as well, so Im not worried in the least... I did get the red-top with top and side polls, although I dont think Ill ever use the sides..... Anyway, It looks really good and I have alot more confidence in it than the previous stock battery.......

 

Gene - I can't really say I have had much problem parking any other car other than the bimmers. Bimmer service told me that the bimmer electronics have considerable draw even while off and recommended I get some sort of trickle charger if I was going to park for more than a few days. GS hasn't shown any problems being parked for a while but reading the Optima features, it just looks like the Yellow top might actually be a better choice, even for an every day driver.

Wow, so the wife wants a Z06, guess she doesn't need the room. So I guess the turqouise bird is out?

 

I have to bring life back into this thread because I just bought an Optima Yellow Top D34 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5706287962). I've tried stiffening Caps but they just can't keep up with the two Kicker Amps. I was wondering if I could put the Factory battry in the trunk and use it as a cap??? Otherwise I will get a Xstatic BatCap.

Any and all feedback is appreciated.

 

damn just read this thread after i bought my YT

if i had known iwould have e bought the Blue top

to match

but i guess people would think its stupid becasue its a marine Batt