Author Topic: The value of Optima batteries  (Read 3034 times)

Offline moparnut

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The value of Optima batteries
« on: November 17, 2008 - 12:17:40 PM »
This weekend my battery in my ford diesel tractor blew up(kaboom!!) after is was dead and i tried to start it on high with my battery charger. I had a 10-12 year old Optima i had in my 68 charger R/T(wish i wouldnt have sold it back then) I then had it in a early bronco and then my Challenger I sold, and its been on a trickle charger for 7 years now in my shop. Slapped it in my tractor and it started right up. I will never buy anything but Optima batteries for my cars again.
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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2008 - 12:21:14 PM »
they do work great as long as you do not let them sit discharged

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Offline ViperMan

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2008 - 02:19:25 PM »
Interesting - there was a discussion on the VCA forum I was watching talking about how bad Optima batteries were...

 :dunno:
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Offline cudagirl4406pk

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2008 - 02:25:02 PM »
I have the yellow top optima battery and i love it.I had diehards for years in our cars and they kept failing.

michele
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Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2008 - 03:36:51 PM »
No problem with my red top. They look cool too.   :grinyes:

Mike

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Offline ViperMan

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2008 - 04:25:40 PM »
No problem with my red top. They look cool too.   :grinyes:

Lol - I wanted one for the Viper...  You gotta remove the left rear tire and wheel shroud just to see any pretty batteries in THAT car!

:)

Jeff
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Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2008 - 05:51:09 PM »
Lol - I wanted one for the Viper...  You gotta remove the left rear tire and wheel shroud just to see any pretty batteries in THAT car!

:)

Jeff

That should be a hoot at car shows!!   :lol:


Hmm... Now why does this car have it's rear jacked up with the left tire removed?   :smilielol:



  Mike

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Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2008 - 12:48:48 AM »
the one in my truck turned 12 this nov , had ti tested last fall , still tested good but it has been used virtually daily except when I am in Carlisle
 You Just Cannot let them sit & discharge

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Offline Devil

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2008 - 11:17:09 AM »
I have one in everything I own from the RamCharger to the Challenger.  They all came to me used, I used a pulse charger on it, or the jumper cable method.  Normal charging I heard doesn't work to well on them when they've gone dead.  So far all are good, oldest is 8 years old.

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Offline ViperMan

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2008 - 12:46:18 PM »
You Just Cannot let them sit & discharge

I think that's the problem others were having with it - they were letting them sit for too long and discharge.

MEK - I have a master electrical system shutdown switch, so I only have to play with the wheel shroud when I'm replacing it!  They also give you a jump post under the hood.

So  :P

Jeff
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Offline twist

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2008 - 12:55:32 PM »
I have had a red top in my Durango for 5+ years now and it still works great. It is the best battery I have ever owned.
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Offline 70_challenger

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2008 - 10:21:34 PM »
Thanks for sharing your experiences and pointers.  These days, it is good to know there are some products that you can count on!  :ylsuper:

My other hobby is Jeeps, and I know that a lot of hardcore Jeep guys will only use Optima batteries. 
And I see a lot of kids in their 'Fast & Furious' rides with the huge stereo systems using Optima batteries.

-Tom

Offline jvike

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #12 on: November 20, 2008 - 06:00:19 PM »
Love my yellowtop!  :)
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Offline matt63

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #13 on: November 20, 2008 - 06:06:52 PM »
The manager at the shop that sells Optima batteries locally advised buying the special charger that goes with them.  It does make them even more expensive.
Matt in Edmonton

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Offline carguybradd

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Re: The value of Optima batteries
« Reply #14 on: January 19, 2009 - 01:47:56 AM »
I put a red top Optima in my Duster some ten years ago. I had problems starting the car this past summer and after checking various other things, came to the conclusion it must be the battery. The car sits around a lot, so that plus the age of the battery, I figured it must be time. I took it to the parts store where I always go and they said it seemed OK, but since I'm a regular they would warranty it for me anyway.

Well that didn't fix the problem, so I did some more checking. Came to find out I had a bad connection at the firewall harness plug, so it wasn't the battery after all. I later talked to one of the parts store clerks, and he said my old battery is now in his car, and still going strong!

That's a 10-yr old battery we're talking about! Most others seem to fail in 3-5 years, so for the cost, I think the Optimas are a bargain!  :thumbsup:
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