Optima Batteries

[topstoy]

Hello all,
So I have been reading threads about stock batteries leaking and distroying the battery tray on new tractors. With that I have seen folks both recommending Optima batteries and then hear folks complaining about them. So what is the deal with these batteries and I would love to hear of other recommendations. Thanks, Ken

 

[JD4ME2]

I always had good luck with Sears DieHard batteries. I think you have to get the DieHard Gold to get the good one now. They are made by Johnson Controls.
Good luck

 

[jenkinsph]

I am not interested in getting in a pis*ing contest about batteries but I have had too many failures with the Optima batteries. When they were first introduced they were great batteries and after a time and during high demand for their product the quality suffered and they coasted on their reputation. Lots of threads on boating forums where boaters have had problems with the Optimas'. I was real proud of myself when I bought 6 of them and knew my battery problems were over, only to have four of the six fail prematurely. I like everyone else had "heard" they were real good.

A much better battery is the Odyssey brand and DieHard Platinum which is a rebadged Odyssey sold by Sears. On a tractor where you don't have the problem of being out to sea with a failure I would go for the DieHard which is discounted about $75 less than the name brand Odyssey. I purchased the Odyssey batteeries for my boat in 2005 and they are still in good shape. Since then I have learned that the DieHards are the same thing and have bought these eversince. The DieHard Platinum batteries are the ones I am referring to, not sure about the Gold series.

 

[whistlepig]

I have read a lot of posts on this site about Optima batteries. From what I have read they seem not worth the price.

 

[topstoy]

Great feedback! I just bought my new 2520, how long should I wait to replace the stock battery? I want to catch it before I start leaking and destroying the battery tray area. By what I have seen here, I might want to do this very soon! Thanks again. Ken

 

[sunnyside360]

Recently had experience purchasing a new battery for my emergency home standby generator. Wanted to put the best most reliable battery in the generator for obvious reasons. Went to local Advance Auto Parts store to buy a Red Optima. To my surprise the older guy at the desk highly recommended their Gold battery over the Optima for better (lower) failure rate based on their experience. He convinced me to go with the Gold.

 

[jenkinsph]

topstoy,

hey man relax its not that bad
Just plan on changing it before it leaks. Kind of liike a water heater.

 

[chevyman29]

most definitly need to stay away from the optimas they are over priced junk . around here they dont even have as long a warranty as a regular batt . thats rediculouse for what they cost . they used to be good but now there junk dont waste your money.

 

[Skyco]

I use an Optima in my company vehicle passenger compartement to run a bunch of electronic equipment. I didn't want the possibility of spills or charging fumes in there. Otherwise I wouldn't use one. Cost too much and have lower amp hour capacity than other batteries. Bought one (or rather my employer did) in November and it was right at $200 with tax, battery fees etc. Way too much.
Frequent inspection and a baking soda solution washdown should take care of any acid problems in a battery tray. Just don't get the solution in the battery.

 

[Runner]

"Frequent inspection and a baking soda solution washdown should take care of any acid problems in a battery tray. Just don't get the solution in the battery."

This is good advice.

Also, I found that you need to be REAL careful about the water level in the JD "Strongbox" battery. If you try and "top up" the cells to the level you might normally use, i.e., to the bottom of the plastic (at least that's what I was taught to do...), it will be too full and overflow when you run the machine and it is charging.

Once I figured out that the level needs to be just enough to be halfway between the plates and the plastic, I didn't have any more over flow problems.

 

[Ductape]

I also bought an optima based on their reputation......... it failed. I replaced it with whatever the in-house brand is at AutoZone and never had a problem for as long as i owned the vehicle.

 

[KeithT]

I bought a yellow top optima for the dual battery kit in my Ranger. It runs my accessory lighting and spreader for my drive way. I got it because I thought I could put it back there and for get about it. I am a little cocerned now hearing these experiences.

Is there anything for me to look out for that would warn me of an impending failure?

I also have heard excellent things about the Diehard Platinums. That is what iwill be putting in my diesel truck when the OEM batteries crap out.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I had heard/read about the Optima problems a while back....6ish/7ish years ago when SWMBO's car had developed a bum battery... so I went with a Exide Orbital Select from NAPA for it....been a GREAT Battery... I think I'd go with the same thing or a DieHard for my 3520 if/when the need arises...

 

[glc24]

I don't know,maybe I'm the exception here. I've had a red top in my pickup for the last five years,and its still going strong. But then again,I got seven years out of my OEM Delco

 

[kcook]

I must be the lucky one, I have three of them in my RV and had no issue, they have worked well. No leaks and plent of power to run my RV!!

KC

 

[jenkinsph]

If you use a battery frequently such as a daily driver (pickup) almost any decent starting battery will work well. The WalMart batteries seem to last about 6 years and are about $70 today. Where you are likely to have problems is when batteries including deep cycle types either set too long or are discharged below 50%. Optimas' seem to have lots of problems bringing back a charge, whereas the DieHard and Odyssey batteries are more resiliant, they can be discharged to 75% and recover well. In turn this gives them more usable capacity, for the most part I try to not discharge below 50% on any of the deep cycle batteries.

Luck may come into play but if you buy enough batteries you tend to find out which ones will fail and which ones don't.

 

[Willl]

Another lucky one here also, have had no problems what-so-ever with my Optima.

 

[glc24]

If you use a battery frequently such as a daily driver (pickup) almost any decent starting battery will work well.

I'm sure that is why I have decent luck with battery life. I drive 80 miles a day
5 days a week.

 

[KevPH1]

6 yrs and going strong on my yellow top Optima. Cann't say the same for the JD battery std. equipment with my JD4115. 1st year leaked. The battery was cheap compared to replacing the oil cooler. Good luck.

 

[rjgogo]

I've had a blue top in my Jeep for about the last 7 years or so with no problems. I have the blue top because I have a winch and have done some heavy winching with it. I am replacing it with the same just because it is so old. Overall I am happy with it. Had to replace the POS in the 2305 after only 3 years.