Optima Red Top installed
#1
Optima Red Top installed
Bought and installed an Optima Red Top (model 35) yesterday. (Funny how it was mother's day yesterday, but yet, I somehow was able to get something for myself...whooops)
Up until yesterday, I was running the same OEM battery on the car since new. Not sure how it lasted 7 years, but then again, car only has 12k miles. So I decided to splurge and get a red top. I could have paid 1/2 the price for a Duralast (or equivalent) from Autozone, but I felt that the weight savings plus reliability (and increased CCA helps too) was worth the money.
Install was a breeze, simple removal of old and installation of new using the plastic bracket that came with the new battery to get it to right height. Although the red top is a little narrower than the OEM so the hold-down bracket doesn't fit snugly on either side of the battery. I just made sure it's really bolted down good to avoid battery movement.
I took it for a drive yesterday (raining today) and all is well. As far as any differences noticed, I would say I don't notice any diff from my stock one. Anyone running the red top setup and can convince me that I didn't just waste 165 bucks (versus 90 for common equivalent) on a battery? Is it just peace of mind that I gain?
Up until yesterday, I was running the same OEM battery on the car since new. Not sure how it lasted 7 years, but then again, car only has 12k miles. So I decided to splurge and get a red top. I could have paid 1/2 the price for a Duralast (or equivalent) from Autozone, but I felt that the weight savings plus reliability (and increased CCA helps too) was worth the money.
Install was a breeze, simple removal of old and installation of new using the plastic bracket that came with the new battery to get it to right height. Although the red top is a little narrower than the OEM so the hold-down bracket doesn't fit snugly on either side of the battery. I just made sure it's really bolted down good to avoid battery movement.
I took it for a drive yesterday (raining today) and all is well. As far as any differences noticed, I would say I don't notice any diff from my stock one. Anyone running the red top setup and can convince me that I didn't just waste 165 bucks (versus 90 for common equivalent) on a battery? Is it just peace of mind that I gain?
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i installed a yellow top and didnt notice any difference. but then again what difference were you expecting? i got the yellow top because i put in the underpulleys and have a sub. and figured the yellow top would hold up to more abuse than an OEM or equiv. i dont see spending the extra money unless its needed.
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I had installed a yellow top about a year ago. My Pioneer navi's display got instantly brighter and the bass seemed so much deeper but the G's Bose set up is a big disappointment compare to my 2005 Pathfinder's Bose set up. I guess it's the assurance factor that led me to purchase the Optima
#4
i installed a yellow top and didnt notice any difference. but then again what difference were you expecting? i got the yellow top because i put in the underpulleys and have a sub. and figured the yellow top would hold up to more abuse than an OEM or equiv. i dont see spending the extra money unless its needed.
I had installed a yellow top about a year ago. My Pioneer navi's display got instantly brighter and the bass seemed so much deeper but the G's Bose set up is a big disappointment compare to my 2005 Pathfinder's Bose set up. I guess it's the assurance factor that led me to purchase the Optima
Edit: I guess after further reading, Optimas are NOT gel-based but rather, sealed lead acid. So trickle charger setting will still fall under "wet".
Last edited by 1RAREG; 05-10-2010 at 05:06 PM.
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no complaints ... i didnt put the height adjuster in there because i was late for work ..... its prob bouncin around in there, i should prob go back and put it in there lol
I guess I wasn't expecting any "noticeable" difference...just wondering if paying 90 for a Duralast would have been "good enough"... I guess for the red top, the fact that it starts up everytime is prolly good enough Then again my OEM battery did as well. I got a red top because my car is stock in terms of electronics.
So for both of you, you've had no issues with the Optimas?
Also, I just wanted to ask, I know that the Optimas are gel-based batteries, so does that make any difference in terms of trickle-charging? My charger has a setting for wet versus gel, so obviously I will set it to gel... but I just wanted to make sure there was no additional step I was missing to set my charger up during prolonged durations of non-use.
So for both of you, you've had no issues with the Optimas?
Also, I just wanted to ask, I know that the Optimas are gel-based batteries, so does that make any difference in terms of trickle-charging? My charger has a setting for wet versus gel, so obviously I will set it to gel... but I just wanted to make sure there was no additional step I was missing to set my charger up during prolonged durations of non-use.
#7
yeah you probably want to put that in there. You're talking about the plastic height adjuster that comes with the optima, though? If so, you're fine as long as you securely bolt down the clamp. Your terminals might just have to stretch further.
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#9
Is there any battery that can provide similar performance to stock (CCA & life) but can also provide significant weight savings (10+ lbs)?
Swapping batteries in the winter is an option, but slow charging them in the off-season slowly kills them too
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"The battery is only used to start the car, that's it. The alternator runs all of the electronics"
Ummm correction... the battery is in parallel with the Alt... so they both share the load.
That being said I installed a red top and the car spins over fast & shorter start up time.
With the stock battery ( during re construction ) 7-8 rotations of crank... now 2-3 rotations and vroom.
The only " install " issue I had was to make an 1/8 shim to go under the battery hold down... so I wasn't " bottomed out " on the hold down rods.
Mike
Ummm correction... the battery is in parallel with the Alt... so they both share the load.
That being said I installed a red top and the car spins over fast & shorter start up time.
With the stock battery ( during re construction ) 7-8 rotations of crank... now 2-3 rotations and vroom.
The only " install " issue I had was to make an 1/8 shim to go under the battery hold down... so I wasn't " bottomed out " on the hold down rods.
Mike