optima batterys....worth it?
 

I'm thinking of going with an optima battery(red top). Are they everything they claim to be or are there other name brand batterys that are just as good?

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

I have a couple friends with the reds. My Optima Yellow as been taking my abuse since 98!

Andy

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

i have a red, definatly worth it,if you havent already, change your stock 32 amp alternator also.

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

Already have a 100amp powermaster alternator. Not too many stock parts on this car anymore!

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

right on, just noticed your signature thing right now..haha

later

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

Everyone I know who owns a mustang, including myself, runs a red top. The abuse they handle makes them worth every penny.

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

Absolutely worth it.

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

i was under the impression, optima batteries were used in alot of cars so at the track, the alternator could be taken off, and just chagre the optima between runs. That seems to be the only reason, besides heavy stero equipment, that you would need one. I mean, a Duralast Gold or Interstate would do the same at half the price.....i may be wrong, but thats my extent of knowledge on them.

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

It is a luxury, I agree.
However, it does charge faster, can sit unused longer, and re-charges completely versus a standard configuration lead-acid battery.
It has been proven to last twice as long as a comparable CCA battery. It also supports high draw circuits like a full fog light/ac/stereo with underdrives and a Powermaster better than a standard battery. Standard batteries generally don't hold up as well over time and don't ever re-charge fully.
My .02

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

plus, they are sealed so if the car goes dirty side up it will not leak

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

How about mounting the battery on some sort of gyro device? That way, the battery will always be right side up now matter what position the car is in :)
LOL.....I'm just being silly.....it's late

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

I wanna say that's also because it's a Gel Cell battery. I love mine.

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

6 years strong in mine :)

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

I have mixed feelings about the Optima batteries. Working at a parts store, I had several come back with what were apparently shorted cells. I mean, the dang thing would basically cook itself right there on the parts counter! :eek: However, these all came back from people who knew nothing about keeping the charging system up to snuff, so I'm more inclined to believe that THEY messed it up somehow. In short I think they are, as said previously, a luxury. Kinda like powder coated control arms. ;)

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

To me, the price differential to big to just have a luxury. BTW, why are the lead-acid batteries sold with a longer warranty than the optimas? I got a duralast gold battery from Autozone with 3 years free replacement and 8 years pro rated. The red top did not have but a 2 year free replacement and only 6 or 7 year pro rated warranty. Of course, I got the guy who just had a job there and did not really belong in the parts stores. And I did not really care to ask anyone else at the time. I'm impatient, especially in a busy store.

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

The way my diesel tech instructor talks gel cell batteries aer going to soon be the only thing out there. They can be mounted anywhere in any position. Like any gel cell they have to have a low charge. Thats prolly why those ppl were boiling them. My dad sales gel cells but not Optima and he usually put a motorcycle battery charger on the gel cells. Make any sense to you guys?
Later

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

Seems like I remember reading somewhere that they had to charged slow, now that you bring that up. That's another down side of them if you ask me.

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

Yeah it is a slight downside but they need constant charge like a wet type. We had a whole pallet of gel cells but they weren't optima they were made by Excell. But anyway we had them for nearly 6 months and didn't sell a damn one of them basically b/c most of my dads customers are farmers and dont understand a lot of technology and a gel cell is really what they need for diesel trucks and tractors. They have more vibrations than most gasoline engines.
But yes I asked my dad if you put a fast charge on a gel cell will it have bad results then he admitted to me he had one explode, then he called his distributor and they explained to him why it happened.
but anyway theres for 2 cents

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

I'm sorry I meant to type they dont need a constant charge like a wet type

Re: optima batterys....worth it?
 

That explains the 'countertop cookin' specials I received. Thnx for the input, man.