optima batteries

[north puller]

It sounds like an optima spiral core battery is the way to go when you need a lot of cranking power to get your tractor started. I emailed optima tech support and they were not very helpful. I want to know how three batteries compare against each other. Anyone with first hand experience that can help would be appriciated.

How does an Optima red top rated at 1000 ca compare to an optima yellow top rated at 1000 ca, compare to a conventional battery rated at 1000 ca.

The website for optima says that the red top gives the strongest 5 second burst. Also says that the deep discharge yellow top is better for extended storage periods.

Also anyone have one of these batteries for a few years? How do they stand up in the long run?

 

[LW]

I have run them for years and had one go bad it was very old. I sold a pulling tractor that had 2 in it that were 6-7 yrs old and worked like new. I think they have a good product, I have read a lot of negative from others but that has not been my experience and I use to buy them direct for $66 when they retailed for 139$. If you have a lot electrical draw, IE: your maxing out what your alt can charge and you will be running some of these items with no charge (while engine is off) you may want to go with the yellow top. They will put out max voltage for a longer duration. Also I have had these batteries sit on a shelf for 2 yrs then put them in and never had a issue.

 

[HollywoodYearwood]

There is a red top in my dads v8 john deere, been in it for 5 years. Its like the old saying goes, you get what you pay for, and you pay pretty good for an optima. I'm no expert on batteries, but in my opinion (which could be wrong) it sounds to me like the red top is for cranking, and the yellow top is sorta like a marine battery where you can run a lot of electical stuff off of it and not drain it so fast. Maybe someone with some more knowledge will reply and shead some more light.

Ryan

 

[randy hall]

buy the red top one. you will be happy with it.

 

[Superih]

I have not had extensive experience with Optima's but the one I had went bad in 2 years and they would not warrantee it because it still passed the load test after they trickle charged it for 24 hours. I explained that it had no reserve, they said we can't test for that.

Odyssey batteries are top of the line but are expensive however, Diehard platinum batteries are just relabeled Odyssey's for alot less $$$.

 

[jd plowboy]

we have a red top now that went dead and we trickle charged it and it stayed charged for a week or two and went dead again. i have had good luck with advance auto batteries and have one that is 6 yrs old and still cranking.

 

[north puller]

Anyone have any experience with Diehard Platinum batteries? They are expensive, but look good and have a good warranty.

 

[Anonymous-0]

(quoted from post at 13:39:32 03/11/11) Anyone have any experience with Diehard Platinum batteries? They are expensive, but look good and have a good warranty.

A 16 volt race battery is the only way to go no matter what name is on the label when needing a starter to turn a high compression engine fast enough to lite it off . Msd ignition likes it better than a 14 volt alternator as well.

 

[green puller]

I have a yellow top for 8 years now and still holds good charge. It will sit for a long period of time and still start the tractor with no problems. We have never had a dead battery, we also have a msd box with no altenator.

 

[Anonymous-0]

John T might post in on this but here is my experience. '66 GTO 400 cubes 11:1 comp , 12 btdc initial timing with standard oem starter rebuilt with what the rebuilder called a "double shunt' winding. Everyone knows how hard these old muscle car engines rolled over when hot starting. Expensive double reduction starter , huge battery? Not needed! Bought a Sears DieHard 800 cca bat. Even after 5 yrs this bat turned this motor over like it was cold even when engine was hot at the end of a run at the strip or in parades! Blew my mind. Now I don't know exactly what a double shunt is or why it works but it does. So the moral is , I believe it has more to do with the starter condition and /or design than it does the battery. I told that rebuilder what I expected out of this car and that I probably would need an "expensive" starter to do it. He said "if that starter is re-buildable , I will make it do what you are asking", "no problem". Cost me $75 ! (abt 10 yrs ago now)Might check into it? Never know.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I used to work for a Case Ih dealer that sold Optimas.The Red top will start better than Yellow.Guys would bring in two or three year old batteries and say they was junk. I would buy them for core take them home and charge them for upto three days.They still are in my pullers,8 years later.I would not buy nothing else.The trick to remember is to charge at 10 amp or less when needed.wet batteries do not comare.

 

[Anonymous-0]

(quoted from post at 04:23:10 03/11/11) It sounds like an optima spiral core battery is the way to go when you need a lot of cranking power to get your tractor started. I emailed optima tech support and they were not very helpful. I want to know how three batteries compare against each other. Anyone with first hand experience that can help would be appriciated.

How does an Optima red top rated at 1000 ca compare to an optima yellow top rated at 1000 ca, compare to a conventional battery rated at 1000 ca.

The website for optima says that the red top gives the strongest 5 second burst. Also says that the deep discharge yellow top is better for extended storage periods.

Also anyone have one of these batteries for a few years? How do they stand up in the long run?

redtop optima battery $150 16volt race battery $150 It doesnt matter if the starter is stock or some fancy gear drive .A starter will like the extra voltage. the msd box when switched will lean the engine up when switched so you will need to richen up the carb. after making the swap.

 

[garrettjdg]

Im an Interstate Battery dealer, my rep says that the optimas are really no better than interstate, just more expensive, the only plus is that you can mount them in any position because of the gel cell technology.

 

[Pullin A]

I have went through two sets of wet batteries in my superduty in three years, I replaced them 7 years ago and have never had a problem since. I now use two of them in my 52 A at 530 ci with the original starter. Rolls it over very fast with the petcocks closed. I will never buy another wet battery. The only interstate battery I had was a deep cell in my camper that went bad in two years.

 

[Allis Fields]

Anyone use a agm type battery, auto glass matt ??

 

[Superih]

(quoted from post at 17:43:15 03/14/11) Anyone use a agm type battery, auto glass matt ??

AGM= absorbed glass matt, search for Odyssey battery their site explains it. Pick the size battery you need, note the group size and search for a Diehard platinum the same size, you will see everything is the same but the price.