Optima Battery - how long do they live?

Scott B. · January 29, 2009

As the title states, how long you all get from your Optima batteries?

My first one lasted 6 years - the replacement is now questionable at 3 1/2 years old. The guy at AutoZone (who could not test it because it has no charge) said 3 years is about all they last. Somehow, I do not believe him, so I would some other opinions.

Thanks.

Tbars4 · January 29, 2009

....There have been some very unsatisfied people concerning these optima batteries lately...

...They are no longer living up to what they used to be great for...

...I was going to buy one for Offroading just in case of a flip and also due to the X being parked for a while in between trips...After all I have seen on their currently shorter life span, (and the local AZ here now gets about $200 for them), I decided against it...

...There is another gel cell battery on the market that is getting good reviews but I think they are $300-$400 a pop...

...Adding a link...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219574&highlight=optima

BrooklynBay · January 29, 2009

I've gotten mixed results with them. Some have lasted about 8 years, and others were defective after a couple of months. I haven't heard about them making any design changes, so I don't know if the quality is the same as it always was. If they are not as reliable, then the company will lose a lot of business, so it's not to their advantage to take shortcuts on quality.

J.A.F.E. · January 29, 2009

I have some issues, too. There is very noticeable corrosion acccumulating on the positive post. I keep cleaning it only to have it return in short order. I expected better from a supposedly premium product.

Tbars4 · January 29, 2009

...AZ shows the warranty for the Red Top to be 7 years and the Yellow top to be 2 yrs, pro rated I'm sure ...Most other regular batteries now have a 3 year full replacement and cost half as much... :dunno:

Stic-o · January 30, 2009

Costco is the best place to get one

Mine is probally 3-4 years old or more. For the most part it's been good, but now after sitting alot, I have to jump the Explorer

Although it sat for six months when I was doing my SAS, and when we were ready she fired right up! :thumbsup:

BrooklynBay · January 30, 2009

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=optima+battery

Four0Sport · January 30, 2009

i curretly have 3 optimas. 2 yellow tops and a red top. all of which were considered dead at one point. i trickle charged them for 2-3 days, tested them.. they came right back up. there is a yellow top in my 93 that will sit for weeks at a time in freezing temps and crank over whenever i need it. i have had great luck with optimas. only loosing 1 due to driving w/out my alternator plugged in.

Spdrcer34 · January 30, 2009

I have run nothing but Optima's in all my vehicles.

I had 1 red top go out on me after about 7 or 8 years.

I have a Red Top in my Green Explorer, and have a Red Top, and a Yellow Top in my White Explorer. Our Motorhome had a Red Top and a Yellow Top. My daughters Mustang will get a Red Top

Ryan

Tbars4 · January 30, 2009

...Out here, these are starting to pop up all over as a competitor to the Optima batteries...I don't know much about them yet but this link has a bunch of info... :dunno:

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/

BrooklynBay · January 30, 2009

This brand uses plates instead of a spiral cell design. What do they cost compared to the Optima?

celly · January 30, 2009

I had a Red Top last maybe 2 years (sorry, I forget how long). Walmart replaced it for me and I got another Red Top. It didn't seem to hold a charge well either so I went with a Yellow Top and it's been great. I've been sticking with Optima because I ditched all my stock battery box hardware so it's easier for me to put another Optima under my hood rather than going with other brands. I think it's hit/miss with Optima.

Tbars4 · January 30, 2009

BrooklynBay said:
This brand uses plates instead of a spiral cell design. What do they cost compared to the Optima?

..:scratch:..I think this new battery outfit I met up with a couple months back carries them...I want to say they are a bit more than the optima...If you look on the site they have all kinds of data, and when you look at specific batteries and applications, it list the info to model specific also...

...They also sell all types of accessories including Optima hold downs, etc...

dkchrist · January 30, 2009

I don't know, I have no problems with batteries . Just replaced my original battery with 6 years on it. I think it is a lot of luck and highway driving.

IZwack · January 30, 2009

Actually, to my understanding, the biggest difference between the Optima and the Odyssey is that the Odysey is a dry cell where as Optimas is gel.

Edit: nevermind, I think im wrong!

Tbars4 · January 30, 2009

...They are a dry cell battery...You are correct...

...I found another factory link which they do some comparisons but don't name, names...
http://www.odysseyfactory.com/batteries.html

Cobraguy · January 30, 2009

BrooklynBay said:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=optima+battery

I think you'll find Costco can be quite a bit better than that pricing BB.

I need a battery. I've been vacillating between a top of the line Die Hard or an Optima. I've had such good luck with Optima's over the years. Not so sure now after reading all this. Good information.

Maniak · January 30, 2009

This is from the odyssey site.. doesn't this mean its a gel battery?

Thanks to rugged construction and AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) design, ODYSSEY™ batteries have an 8-12 year design life and a 3-10 year service life. Welded internal cells enable it to withstand extreme vibration, and AGM design holds acid in place to prevent spills, even when installed on its side.

I never went to optima batteries.. I didn't like that I was limited to where I could return them if they died (that was before walmart and autozone carried it).

We run the exide orbital battery.. spiral wound Gel battery. They last just as long as normal Lead acid for us (In the Southern AZ desert, that 3 years).. and cost only a little more than the normal lead acid but we get no corrosion on the battery terminals anymore.

~Mark

BrooklynBay · January 30, 2009

The dielectric material on both batteries is an absorbed glass mat, so even though they classify it as a dry cell, it's still an AGM since it won't leak acid.

Tbars4 · January 30, 2009

...I take it to be like a hybrid upgrade version... :dunno:

...This is from their local site, top of the page...

"Military grade dry cell Odyssey battery for ATV, watercraft, motorcycle,
automotive, marine, and commercial use"

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/

Optima Battery - how long do they live?

Scott B.

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Tbars4

BrooklynBay

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J.A.F.E.

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Tbars4

Stic-o

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BrooklynBay

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Four0Sport

Jack from JackOffRoad

Spdrcer34

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Tbars4

BrooklynBay

Moderator & long time member.

celly

disturber of the peace

Tbars4

dkchrist

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IZwack

Tbars4

Cobraguy

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Maniak

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BrooklynBay

Moderator & long time member.

Tbars4

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