Optima Batteries

[crazyal]

I wonder how many of the problems are not battery problems but alternator problems. Most engine alternators are not very advanced and can easily over or under charge a battery.

Boy it would be nice (hint, hint) if Optima would offer a TBN discount.

 

[Tollster]

I had a redtopin my CJ that lasted 12 years, then went and got another and it died within 2 weeks. Fortunately, I did not have to deal with optima and the store tested it and replaced it. I got a yellow and a blue as well.

So what I need to know is what charger do I need to buy now? Even though I have three, I would like to know what pne they recommend.

I for one am kind of old school when it comes to customer service.
If the food sux but the service is good, I'll be back, and you can bet if the food is good and the service sux, I'll take my business elsewhere. That rational has served me very well, I find I have more money in my pocket,and less worries.

 

[Dirtball]

TRY a wheelchair/jazzychair battery in your CUT. I had one of those leaky New Holland batteries that corroded my radiator. I started to search for a sealed battery with X dimensions and found the wheelchair battery. I installed it year 2000 or 2001 , never been on a charger, still going strong. Not real large in size either, and no problems cranking in the cold. FYI I have a REdtop burried behind a bulkhead in my bus conversion that starts a 20kw Kohler genny, that battery is original from 1997. It is trickled along with the other 6 batteries on the bus when plugged into shore power. I average 2-3 yrs on wet lead starter batteries size 8D-($175-200), (starting a Detroit with 24v accessories and 12ton AC) and 6 yrs on the 8D Gel deep cycle house batteries ($550 ea).

 

[Optima Bill]

Hey guys,
Philip thanks for posting those pictures, if I can have your permission to use them, we may use them from time to time when the question comes up as to if an Optima will fit in an 8N.
Pilot werx I don't know of any plans to build aircraft batteries but I am not in on most R+D work. I will certainly pass along your feedback and if I hear different, I will let you know.
Crbr, fair enough. I am sorry you have had issues. Let me share a personal experience that happened to me just this week. I had my 72 Dodge Charger at a shop getting new upgraded brakes. (Google for information on the car). We road race it all over the country. While in the shop, the switch was left on acc and drained the battery. Now, if anyone knows the proper way to recharge a deeply-discharged Optima it is me. However, the shop never called to tell me what happened and just threw the charger on 40amps and left it for several hours. Then boosted it on the 60 amps to crank the car. Needless to say, the battery was cooked. So this morning I was at the local parts store in Irvine, California buying a new RedTop for a race this weekend at El Toro. Yes, a long ways from Pigeon Forge, Tn. My job as eCare Manager is to try and educate people on proper maintenance of their Optima batteries and try and avoid just what happened to me because they just don't understand the proper way to recharge our products. In your case, using a tender, I am not sure why you had so many issues. I would be happy though to talk about it here or by pm. Length of time you had the batteries, type equipment, did they expire during warranty? Those kind of questions. Since you live in East Tennessee, maybe we could just talk on the phone when I get back home, you may be a neighbor.
Thanks again guys for the positive experiences you have shared too, we like all feedback. It helps us be a better company and offer better products.
Bill Howell
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.

 

[5030]

I paid $250 for a blue top and put it in one of my tractors. It sat for 3 weeks and when I went to crank it I had nothing but a click. Hooked the charger to it (on low charge) and let it run overnight. Next morning the top of the battery was swelled. Called Optima and asked them about it. Got the full court press run around for a good 20 or 30 minutes. When did I buy it, what was it in, what size and brand charger did I use, how many amps, and on and on and on. In the end, even though my charge rate was fine and they couldn't tell me one single thing that I had done wrong. I was informed that it sounded to them like it had a bad cell but because the top had swelled up during charging my warranty was void. No matter what, a swelled top indicated to them the battery had been over charged and they wouldn't stand behind it.

That was a 2 in 1 deal for me, my first and last. I will never buy another one.

I'm with you 100&.

Optima is overpriced JUNK.

Same scenario and same result. I still have the boat anchor sitting in the shop.

Much better AGM batteries out there in that design like the Hawker Oddesy. Wonder why the military chooses Hawker over Optima? They know they are junk too.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Opti bill. I just sold my 69 charger (yes it was not a smart move;-)). I ran 2 yellow tops in the 12 years I had the car. It survived well with all my abuse, huge alternator and multi amp stereo, and hi intensity lights. I plan to move my tractor to a optima when the current Sears buys the farm.

This all said, what is the way to salvage an optima that has been deeply discharged? And what is your method for over winter or 3 month non use storage. I Travel for work so all my vehicles can sit for a long period of time.

I hear no to airplanes but what about quads / motorcycles?

Finally. Are you guys manufactured by interstate? I had heard a rumor but...

Carl

 

[ultrarunner]

See all the interstate dealers around here carry Optima...

Only own one and it's about 8 years old... came with the 1912 Model T when I bought it. The car was converted to 12 volt.

I really do like how clean the battery is... the case looks like new and this is a plus with antique cars... less to have to clean-up after.

Finally a comment on repair shops...

Had my Model A in for some touch-up and the shop left the lights on all weekend... needless to say the battery was stone dead... OEM 6 volt.

The shop charged it with a 12 volt and reversed the polarity... Battery was about 5 years old and I never had a problem with it... ended up replacing the battery.

I really couldn't make too big a fuss since the owner was doing me a favor... just have to realize most in the trade have little knowledge of classic cars...

 

[brokenot]

The only equipment we have in the rental fleet that comes factory-equipped with Optima batteries are the vibratory trench rollers. Optima batteries are only worthwhile in an application like that. Contrary to what they advertise, you will NOT get "up to twice the life" over a traditional battery. And even if they did, how is it beneficial when "up to" twice the life costs NOT "up to", but rather "always" twice the price?

If you have a car/truck/tractor that is constantly working to shake itself to pieces the way a vibratory roller does, then you have an application in which the ruggedness of an Optima is beneficial.

Otherwise....nope.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Hey guys,
Philip thanks for posting those pictures, if I can have your permission to use them, we may use them from time to time when the question comes up as to if an Optima will fit in an 8N.

Permissions granted, would be glad to help in any way. Contact me if you would like more details. Philip.

 

[Typhoon]

The best money I have ever spent on anything... that's right,.. the BEST money that I have ever spent on anything dollar for dollar, is when I bought my optima battery. It was in my New Holland TC29D for 3 years, and has now been in my Kioti DK40SE for nearly 3 years. I was having some starting issues with the New Holland, and that all stopped when I installed the Optima! I have not once had to clean the terminals, and have not once had a starting problem. And on top of that, there have been times in the winter where my tractor may sit in the polebarn for a couple of months without being started. When I go to crank it, it cranks like it's in the middle of summer. My Optima has never been hooked up to a charger. Absolutely awesome batteries. I would not consider any other battery. Ever.