Optima Battery Hold Down

[flagcraig]

Going to purchase an Optima Red Top battery.

Will my existing factory battery hold down set work for my 1972 Challenger?

Thanks.

[Chryco Psycho]

it should the outer dimensions are the same . do not let it sit though , use it in your daily driver if the challenger is sitting for very long & it will last forever , once it drains down it will not come back

[SirRalliart]

We've never had an optima that will hold a charge more than a couple weeks without a battery tender.  Quite an pain, so we went back with all regular batteries.

[RCCDrew]

Me too, but I hear there is a special charging procedure for them.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Consider something like a Sears Platinum or perhaps an Oddsey.

Not as trendy, but better batteries, since Optima isn't what it used to be.

[js29no]

I have found that OEM battery's hold up the best! A good parts jobber can get them. all though no battery likes to set around. I have had good results with mopar, motercraft, and A-C delco.

[wantone]

My cuda came with a red-top.   I ended up buying a CTEK7200 that has a deep cycle mode especially for charging under 40' or for Optima batteries.   These are awesome and this one brought my car back to life.

[flagcraig]

What is a CTEK7200....Charger?

I've read a lot about batteries in the last few days and decided on the Optima.  It will be here today.

My problem was that after the restoration of car the new AC/Delco only lasted 6 months without a jump.  It was one of their cheaper batteries (not my choice).  Now it could be something else that is draining the battery.....however I don't like existing battery so that's where I'll start.  Trouble shooting is so much fun....

Thanks.

[Joe mama]

I have a Optima red top in my Challenger. It was in the car when I bough it. It is 5 years old. When I went to start it after sitting 2 months this winter. The battery was dead because I left the dam dome light on. I tried to charge it with a regular charger but it wouldn't do nothing. Friends of mine told me to just buy another regular battery or a new Optima's because it won't come back once it's completly dead.  I'm happy to say that is not true. I purchased a ctec charger. I started out by charging on the 6V setting for a few days then switch to 12 volts. It came back to life and I've had no problems with it all year. Recently the car sat for 3 weeks while I was on vacation. The car started without a problem. Not sure what the difference is between a ctek charger and a regular one is. I do know the ctek is computer controlled.

[wantone]

What is a CTEK7200....Charger?

I've read a lot about batteries in the last few days and decided on the Optima.  It will be here today.

My problem was that after the restoration of car the new AC/Delco only lasted 6 months without a jump.  It was one of their cheaper batteries (not my choice).  Now it could be something else that is draining the battery.....however I don't like existing battery so that's where I'll start.  Trouble shooting is so much fun....

Thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Givgz4mtwZI

You can shop around and find them on amazon for around 110 delivered.   You can charge the battery continually as this model will cycle on and off depending upon the battery charge.

[Chryco Psycho]

The red top optima  in my daily driver lasted 13+ years

[Topcat]

The red top optima  in my daily driver lasted 13+ years

I guarantee they won't last that long now.

You must have bought it before they moved plant operations to Mexico a few years ago.

Virgin Lead: ain't happening
Calcium alloy to lead %...way higher.

Virgin lead 100%
http://buy.northstarbattery.com/p/nsb-agm-34-battery

After all the things I've seen in my years in the battery business, I would never buy an Optima.   

[72bluNblu]

The red top in my Challenger is well over 5 years old now, no problems. It's from after when they moved the plant to Mexico.  And since I've been running the Duster as my more frequent driver the Challenger has definitely sat for a few weeks here and there, still hasn't caused any issues. I've killed it a few times doing stupid crap too, I've never had an issue charging it. I've got one in my Duster now too, but that one's only about 2 years old now. In fact, I even have a 6v red top Optima in our '55 Coronet. That poor thing sits for months at a time, and it's probably at least 4 or 5 years old. Still works good, I give the old girl a shot of starter fluid first so I don't crank it forever to get the fuel flowing, and it fires right up.

If you can get 5 years out of any of the batteries out there now you're doing good anyway. The Optima's I mentioned have outlasted everything else I've tried lately, by at least 2x or more.

[flagcraig]

Installed Optima last night and fired right up.  Tried again this morning and same.

The start was very strong compared to the new AC/Delco (now dead) I had in the car for the first 6 months after restoration.  I was very impressed.  (In fact, I think I pee'd in my pants).

Now we are going to get the CTEK charger. 

Also will keep an eye on any other potential items that could have drained the new Delco if that was the problem.  I hope it was just a bad battery.

Thanks.

[ed-pv]

I've been running Optima Red tops and Yellow tops on most of my cars for years and I have had no problems.  I think the Red top in my daily has been in there for over 6 years!  I have heard stories of them not lasting, but...knock on wood...mine have all been good!