Optima Choice-5.0L

[MikeTEC]

Interested in getting folk's opinions as to the best Optima yellow top battery choice for my 1996 5.0L Limited Edition-the Optima yellow top D850U or the D750S?

Would also appreciate someone explaining the difference and advantages of both, if any. Thanks! Mike

 

[RFR2212]

My lil optima thought-
I used to run a yellow top as the main battery. People complain/state that this isn't the best use as it's not ment to be a starting battery. Okay great. There was an issue way back where a friend was having big electrical troubles (unknown to us at the time) and I jumped her car. I have a 200amp alternator and that runs a 1/0ga or 4g/a (forgot size off hand) pos and neg cable directly to my battery. These attached to my side posts. I correctly jumped the vehicle, and right after heard a snap, and saw smoke comming from behind my dash. Now I killed the truck and yanked my cd player right there, and noticed the smoke was from blowin the snot outta the fuse. Couldn't figure out why. After driving 30mi back to school I noticed I was a lil lower on the power in the truck. What happend was the side pos terminal completely blew outta the battery ( i blame the other cars big time electrical problems) Okay that's the scenerio... So i go to get a new optima, and with fininancial situation and what everyone else said, got a dual post red top. If i did it again, i'd definately have ran a spare stock battery in the mean time, as I've noticed lower performance in the red top. Starting is a bit slower, and it definately doesn't handle my large stereo system either.

Next time I buy an optima, i'm almost positive it'll be a yellow, so for those that complain/state battery issues with using a yellow top for a main battery, i say phooey! I'll use it again in a second.

I tired to look online at optimas site and couldn't find the two models you spoke of. I personally run a red top top and side post model now, and previously the same but yellow. The ones they sell at Pepboys (i think autozone is also a dealer now) works. I do know for red tops they've got a bigger model with works for us, and then a smaller one designed for imports. There is also a very high chance yer going to need to run an aftermarket battery mount. Mine is 2 long J-hooks with go through holes in the stock battery tray, and attach through a rubber strap over the battery.

That's my 2 cents, hope it helps...

 

[MikeTEC]

Thanks RFR2122. I go to batteriesareus.com and they have the two yellow tops I mentioned. The 750 does not have side posts and the 850 does. Could not find the CCAs between the two. My Explorer manual says use a 650 CCA or 850 CCA.

Does one battery CCA size affect engine power compared to the other in Optimas? Currently the truck has a Sears Gold on it, but it is getting tired. Other comments welcomed! Mike

 

[Black Magic]

I have been running the Yellow top for almost two years on this explorer. I had one in my old Explorer with 18 aftermarket lights for years with no problems. They are great.

 

[MikeTEC]

Thanks, Black Magic. Probably should add me and the wife pull a travel trailer, which has an AGM Concorde battery as its DC power.

I figured the yellow top Optima (also an AGM battery) would allow parallel power from my tow vechicle. Is my reasoning sound? Still trying to determine the difference/advanage of the two yellow tops mentioned above. Anyone knows, chime in! Thanks Mike

 

[EliteConcept]

i had one in my old explorer also it worked great, always started the truck

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I opted for a Red Top over the summer rather than a yellow top because the Red Top has WAY more Cold Cranking Amps, and is more of a starting battery that can safely handle deep discharges unlike standard batteries.

The yellow top is a true deep cycle battery, which is great if you run a stereo system for a long time with the engine off, have lights on with the engine off, etc. But if the engine is ON, then the alternator is supplying juice, and not the battery (whithin reason, assuming a modest load). The red top wil last longer in these situations.

I did not need a new battery holder, the optima came with clips to make it "wider." It's still loose though, and I'm going to clamp it down better someday.

 

[MikeTEC]

Perhaps I need to reconsider the Red Top. I was unaware it had deep cycle capacity. Thanks Mike

 

[mrboyle]

I have a red top in my X that has been there for three years without a single problem. I run the radio (without the engine running) for 30-40 minutes a day on a regular basis and have left the interior light on overnight and never had a single problem starting. I also have one (red top) that is over 7yrs. old and it still works perfect. IMHO, unless you are running a high power stereo or a lot of high drain electrical components the yellow top is overkill.

 

[MikeTEC]

Thanks, Mike, for you insightful reply. I can always count on you for some good guidance and I appreciate what you do to help all of us on this forum!
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