Yellow top... or .. red top Optima ?

[Garandman]

I have an Optima in my WRX because they are light.

In my wife's minivan we use the Odyssey AGM, which is big and heavy but has unmatched capacity. A Yellow Top for the Outback weighs 36.4 lbs and has 620 CCA. The same-size Odyssey Extreme AGM weighs 50 lbs and has 850 CCA.

 

[apriordan]

Other than this thread is over 11 years old, I think optima are still good batteries. I would make sure that the auxiliary systems have heavy enough wiring and are relayed into a keyed hot so you can't drain the battery inadvertently.

Fuses too, probably would be a good call. Yeah?

 

[apriordan]

I have an Optima in my WRX because they are light.

In my wife's minivan we use the Odyssey AGM, which is big and heavy but has unmatched capacity. A Yellow Top for the Outback weighs 36.4 lbs and has 620 CCA. The same-size Odyssey Extreme AGM weighs 50 lbs and has 850 CCA.

With the diesel, I def want 800 CCA if possible. I've had some bad experiences this winter with my small 600 some odd CCA turning over the tractor which is why I'm thinking optima. With the shaking etc, the reviews are optimal are good. Just figuring out which at this point is my conundrum.

 

[Garandman]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/130340-790-battery-replacement.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/126415-where-buy-best-battery.html

Doesn't look like Odyssey makes a Group 4D, though others do make 4D AGM.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Fuses too, probably would be a good call. Yeah?

quite right. If you are putting in LED work lights, fuses might not be necessary but are always a good idea. For the sander, you bet I would want a fused power supply!

 

[RNeumann]

The red has higher CCA because of more and thinner plates while the yellow is the inverse. The tractor needs the CCA. The yellow would be a step down in this application. A gas motor with a gear reduction starter is a different story. I see no reason to sacrifice battery CCA in a tractor. This ain't an RV, your old teenage car with 15 speakers and 3 amps or some 4wd with a monster electric winch. A typical tractor doesn't see a load- running or not- that warrants the yellow top.
With regards to Optima- they have changed the manufacturing location and the quality isn't the same- according to the rumors......

 

[oosik]

I replaced the OEM battery in my Kubota with a Odyssey. Higher CCA and overall a bigger AGM battery.

 

[ovrszd]

In my world they are only used because they are dry. Rollovers, etc. I've had several Reds and several Yellows. Never had a Blue. I have no complaints with Optimas. If trying to choose, I'd go Yellow. Personal use might vary.......

 

[dickfoster]

Sure is confusing. Two of three people I spoke with stated I didn't want the yellow top for a diesel tractor application. They stated if it wasn't drawn down substancially and brought back up it wouldn't cycle properly and may develop a memory at near full charge. The red top is recommended due to its features that most replicate an autos application, alot of cold cranking and quick recharge. Do I flip a coin or wait for the white top ? I e mailed the manufacture'r and awaiting results. My own personal opion is they both would be ok. The salespersons didn't have alot of hard facts to backup their claims. They have been around for some time, there shouldn't be any mystery. H E L P !!!!

I wouldn't recommend any Optima. They've been selling the label instead of product for the last few years and they are now made in Mexico. You might want to look at a Odyssey which is still made in the US and also to my mind has better technology which packs more charge density in the same or less volume. One Odyssey does it all so you need not worry about what color to get as they are all orange. I think all that color top hooey was mostly just a marketing gimmick anyway.

 

[Looking4new]

I run two red tops in my boat. (One house battery and the other the starting battery. I can pair them or suck them down individually. ) In my jeep with a winch I run a yellow top.