Yes, the yellow one is called a deep cycle, or something like that, and the red ones are standard for cars. However, from the descriptions, the yellow ones seem well suited to vehicles which are not driven every day, and yet still need a pretty good kick to get going.

For this reason, I thought the yellow ones might answer the needs of the driver who started all this.

I did not check in detail, but I do not think the size of the yellow ones is too much larger than the size of the red ones. Also, the size of the battery in the SC430 is about as big as car batteries go anyway.

What I have not checked out yet is the power specs on these Optimas as compared to what is in the car now. Generally, when replacing a battery, I have always just bought the biggest one that will fit, as the incremental cost is usually not that great.

 

Thanks eveyone. I am considering the yellow top, if the car fails to start again. I will discuss with the service department. I will keep everyone in the loop.

Kevin

 

FWIW - I can tell you that mine has died twice and seems to be losing its ability to hold a long term (over two weeks) charge. Mine is also 4/01 vintage. Almost 40K miles.

My V1 is wired hot so I need to remember to shut that off if I am leaving the car for more than a couple days. But I have also had to get out of the habit of leaving the key in the ignition as that seems to draw juice for some reason.

GW

 

My battery is 4/01, so its days are numbered, although it will hold a charge fine for several weeks of non or little use. To date, it has never died on me (but only 16K miles).

However, I leave the key in the ignition, and have had no problem. I do not think that key-in or key-out would make any difference. I can't think of one, and have not noticed one.

As for the V-1, I have mine wired into the switched wire inside the light cluster above the mirror, so it is always off when the key is off. I learned this many years ago when I started wiring Escorts into my cars, back in the days when the Escort was the best (when Mr. Valentine ran that company). In an eariler post, about a year ago, I think I mentioned the color of the wire used. If you can't find it, let me know. This is a great place to access a switched power line, and there is plenty of room in there for the switch box. I use a white phone cord from radio shack so that when I remove the V-1 and tuck the cord behine the visor, any parts peaking out are less noticable than they would be with the black cord.

If my battery lasts through this winter, I will probably replace it in the spring just to be safe, as that will be three full years. Still, it seems to be ready to keep on going.

KG: if you find out which model yellow (or red) top fits this car, let us know.

 

I had the same problem with my LS 400. There is some tiny power drain with the key in the ignition. I can't imagine that you can go weeks without taking the key out and not drain the battery.

I also can't imagine going weeks without driving this car!!!

GW

 

Checked with Optima, they do NOT offer a battery specific for the SC430.

 

We already know that Optima does not list an exact match, as I posted above in this discussion. This is probably because of the low volume of the SC430 -- they just never got around to matching up the size and power specs of their batteries to the specs of the 430's stock battery.

The fact that they don't list a replacement does not mean that one of their batteries would not fit fine and work well. A battery salesman noted above that he has sold some model 800 red tops for the 430 and it works fine, but I would like to see a comparison of the the size and power specs of the Optimas (both red and yellow) compared to the data of the original battery supplied with the car. When I have some time, I will do that, but right now my battery is fine so this is low on my list of things to do.

 

I need to replace the battery for my 2002 also. Does anyone here have the "red top" Optima on their sc430? How is the fit? Were there any custom fabrications needed to make it fit nicely? Interstate's exact replacement is around $120. Costco has the Optima for around $106. Thank you in advance.

 

120 bucks for interstate?! isn't that kinda expensive? i got my interstate battery for like 60 bucks.

in any case, unless you do a lot of audio stuff and listen to audio with the car not running, just get interstate, it's cheaper

 

that, or a Diehard, they come with either a 3 or 5 yr warranty.. and as of size problem with optima, what about the blue top?, yes i know it's a marine application one but it can also be used, one of the local members uses one in his GS

 

Rominl, can you please tell me where you got the Interstate for $60. I called two Interstates dealers in socal & they both quoted me around $120. Thanks. I only have the stock stereo & would rather go with something that fits nicely.

 

Our 2002 LS430 battery died at 3-years and 3-months. After two Lexus Link calls for roadside assistance for jump-start within 3-days, dealer service department automatically replaced battery under warranty.

Roadside assistance tech and service department both said this is not unusual for Lexus. (Just as a side note ... the OEM batteries in my other high-end cars have never failed within warranty period. All loaded with accessories that draw power continuously.)

I'd recommend having Lexus replace any battery that fails under warranty. Technology continues to improve as prices decline. If your car turns out to be a keeper, you can buy the latest technology in the future.

 

try to email todd@tmengineering.net and tell him henry refers you. ask him how much. he got mine together with some other stuff so it might be more or less. but i think it should be 80 bucks at most?

 

Get the yellow top its the shiznit. Thought there is no exact aplication just measure your stock battery and buy one about the same size, from my experiences they usually come a little shorter than the stock battery so its fine. Just put a peice of wood to prop it up some. The yellow top battery is a deep cycle which will allow you to run the battery without being charged for extended periods of time. IE if you had a system and you were bassing hard without the car on it would be fine for a couple hours. This would be damn near impossible with a normal battery. Spend a little more on the yellow top and have peace of mind for a long time. Especially if you are into audio equipment this is a must.

 

The Optima Model 35 works fine. It's significantly smaller than stock so is a little short and requires that you use a small spacer underneath (included) to use the stock tie down; however, it has plenty of cranking power and is lighter weight than stock.

-Roger