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01-09-2004, 12:36 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: IL
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Optima battery selection
I have a 130A 3G alternator and the following electrical loads:
- Weldon 2025A fuel pump ~25 amps - Lincoln Mark 8 fan ~35 amps - MSD 6AL ~20 amps - Low impedance injector driver ~15 amps - misc. (headlights, brake lights, ect.) ~?? amps Which Optima battery should I run? The red top or the yellow top (deep cycle)? The car is a weekend cruiser/racer only. Thanks.
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Craig Supercharged 93 GT "I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol!" Then I went to the doctor.... whoa 312! Hello Lipitor |
01-09-2004, 02:57 PM | #2 |
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Location: Rockford
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I was thinking about the same thing myself. I am going with the red top this year. I was told by Summit a while back that the yellow top was not intended for race cars w/ alternators. So I guess the red top is the way to go.
Part # 34/78----Red top Hope this helps. |
01-09-2004, 03:31 PM | #3 |
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Location: IL
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Yeah, I've always thought that deep cycle batteries were intended for trolling motors on boats and cars with high power stereos or hydraulics. But Optima's website implied that cars with high accessory loads would benefit from them as well.
BTW - the red tops are a lot cheaper than the yellow tops Anyone on here running an Optima battery???
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Craig Supercharged 93 GT "I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol!" Then I went to the doctor.... whoa 312! Hello Lipitor |
01-09-2004, 04:01 PM | #4 |
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Location: Moline Il
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I have an Optima yellow top. I abuse the hell out of it and it still works fine. A few friends have had the red top and they have had problems with them.
I got my yellow top here locally for around $140. Andy
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88 coupe 91 LX NMRA Pure Street 5120 |
01-09-2004, 04:05 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: May 2000
Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee
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Yeah Red Top is the way to go.
I have seen them as low as $79.00 but mostly $90 or so. Dont pay any more than that. They work great, no vent needed, no mess. Especially good for sitting for long periods of time. I think they have full replacement for 3 years. I have used one racing over about 5 years. I will mount it in the Cobra when I get the billit mount. |
01-09-2004, 04:09 PM | #6 |
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What kind of problems have they had with them?
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Craig Supercharged 93 GT "I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol!" Then I went to the doctor.... whoa 312! Hello Lipitor |
01-09-2004, 04:10 PM | #7 |
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They didnt last very long.
Andy
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88 coupe 91 LX NMRA Pure Street 5120 |
01-09-2004, 11:13 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 706
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Red Optima
I've had a Red Optima for over a year with a Powermaster 140 amp alternator with no probs.
750 rpm idle with fogs and air on turning the supercharger and a .2 amp overvoltage on the ammeter!
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1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy |
01-10-2004, 12:38 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Oct 1998
Location: Alberta, Canada
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Yellow tops are designed to go long periods of time with usage and NO charging i.e. deep cycling. I would not use it in a situation where you are constantly charging it. Red top gets my vote.
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01-10-2004, 05:08 PM | #10 |
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Location: Gallatin, Tn
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I planned on going red top with the new 331 setup.
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01-11-2004, 05:42 AM | #11 |
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Location: Chicago
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I have a red top and the stock tie down doesnt hold it in place, does anyone make an aftermarket one that fits an optima?
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01-11-2004, 09:07 AM | #12 |
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Huber Heights, OH
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Red top here, no problems so far.
My brother just replaced his red top. It had been in the car almost 10 years
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1993 Mustang GT, PTK w/ T-64 - My Cardomain Webpage 11.25@123.5 on only 8 psi. 10.84@121 on only 1 headgasket "The Truth is, Your the Weak, and I am the Tyranny of Evil Men!" |
01-12-2004, 01:09 PM | #13 |
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I've hard the yellow top for 3 years now and have never had a dead battery even after blaring the stereo for 2-3 hours w/o the car running. Simply a great battery.
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