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

[VictorD]

Used a pair of Optimas few years ago on a Jeep project. Had to build a battery rack to fit double batteries under the hood. That was a bonus to using AGM batteries. Laid both of them on their sides, stacked one on top of the other.

Just wanted to share that I installed a red top in October 2009 on my JD 990 and it just died today. Eleven years of use in Pennsylvania. I think I値l just opt to replace it with another red top. Not bad in my opinion.

 

[ovrszd]

Just wanted to share that I installed a red top in October 2009 on my JD 990 and it just died today. Eleven years of use in Pennsylvania. I think I値l just opt to replace it with another red top. Not bad in my opinion.

Very good!!!! Thanks for the post.

 

[rScotty]

Just wanted to share that I installed a red top in October 2009 on my JD 990 and it just died today. Eleven years of use in Pennsylvania. I think I値l just opt to replace it with another red top. Not bad in my opinion.

Be careful.... get a good description of the Optima return policy. I've had to use their warranty three times now in two years.

I agree that the Red Tops used to be a really great battery. In fact, all the Optima batteries using that round cell technology were the best. We ran Red Tops in cars, PU, & small tractors for years - as well as their Yellow Tops (2 in parallel) in our commercial JD310 tractor and their Optima Blue Tops in the sailboat.

But apparently the original round cell design by Johnson Controls has been repeatedly sold to a series of lesser manufacturers in other countries. The Optima Red Tops I've bought in the last five or so years are NOT reliable. In fact just today I realized I am now replacing the fourth one we have bought since 2019. A couple of those those four lasted less than three months. None lasted a year.

The Optima warranty process is convoluted & requires a special 24 hr. test with a printout. That test isn't common or easily available. Not all dealers will do the test. So keep your receipt and the original packaging. You might want to check into local availability of that test before ordering a new red top.

The whole thing is a shame. At one time they made the best battery I've ever used. I guess I keep hoping someone who cares for quality will end up buying the Optima manufacturing technology and building them as good as we know they can be. So far, no luck.
rScotty

 

[RjCorazza]

(2) Optima Yellow Tops failed within a week off each other in my ZD326 (5 years on battery), and ZD331 (3 years on battery). That's a pretty short life for batteries that were not abused. I even run the mowers once or twice over the off season.

What bothered me most was that they both were cranking the engine fine, then immediately went totally dead (2 volts). This was some type of catastrophic failure, and certainly not expected from a supposed quality battery.

 

[oosik]

When I wanted to replace the OEM battery in the Kubota - went to the local dealer that sold Optima. One salesman said definitely - Red. While he was out in the warehouse the other salesman whispered to me - get the yellow, its better and will last longer.

I bought a group 31 Odyssey. It's got a black top and is a MUCH heavier battery with more CCA.

Why should salesmen that sell batteries be any smarter than those that sell refrigerators.

 

[not2old]

I've gotten 12 years out of two Opima's and currently more than that on one more.

 

[rScotty]

I've gotten 12 years out of two Optima's and currently more than that on one more.

The old RTs could be remarkable. I got more than that too. It was in our 2 cylinder JD and was an old Red Top made about 1998. But the Optima company has been sold several times in the 20+ years since then. Their red tops aren't so reliable now, and the warranty is difficult. I wish I could say different. It's taken me a lot of years to lose faith in Optimas. Shucks, being more optimistic than prudent, I bought a new Red Top online from the factory in April of 2020 for use in my daily driver.... It just died last week. RIP=8 mo.

Oosik writes, "Why should salesmen that sell batteries be any smarter than those that sell refrigerators."?

Are they? Darned if I know why they would be or even if they are. But then I still marvel at the fridge in the RV that cools by burning propane.

rScotty