Optima Battery retired after 9 years

jams · #1 (**permalink**) 07-19-2011, 02:41 PM

After nine years of use, I decided to replace my red top battery today after 9 years. It was feeling a little weak when starting up lately so I though it was time to replace it before I got stuck somewhere.

Not a bad run for a battery.

Bxx1 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-19-2011, 03:41 PM

Those older Optimas sure work great... mine is about 8 yrs old still going strong. I will not buy another as I have heard, from several reputable sources, the new ones are inferior, made with cheaper components.

stol · #3 (**permalink**) 07-19-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bxx1

Those older Optimas sure work great... mine is about 8 yrs old still going strong. I will not buy another as I have heard, from several reputable sources, the new ones are inferior, made with cheaper components.

Can you expand on that thought ?

I am chasing a rather bizzare charging problem with my 'offroad' vehicle and its either the East Coast 1 wire alternator or the new Optima battery. I installed a new alt today and test flight is tomorrow morning. I will know in about 18 hours and will give some results.

Ben.

SunDude · #4 (**permalink**) 07-19-2011, 05:30 PM

I've still got the original factory battery in my Miata. It's now 13 years old and still running strong. Never been on a battery tender, either.

(Now that I've written that, it's certain to die tomorrow...)

DAVID GAGNARD · #5 (**permalink**) 07-19-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jams

After nine years of use, I decided to replace my red top battery today after 9 years. It was feeling a little weak when starting up lately so I though it was time to replace it before I got stuck somewhere.

Not a bad run for a battery.

Mine croaked a month ago after "only" 8 years of abuse and neglect!!!!!!!!!!!! ya just can't get good stuff anymore.......

David

Trueoo7 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-19-2011, 07:06 PM

I've got 9 years on a Hyundai Sonata battery and still going strong. The key is to never let them go dead, it harms the cells and they never come back 100%.

Bob In Ct · #7 (**permalink**) 07-19-2011, 07:27 PM

Just replaced my Interstate after over 10 years. Sat all winter year after year without a tender. It was fine on Friday, dead on Saturday, just like the 60s. Replaced it with the identical Interstate.

Bob

jams · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2011, 04:50 AM

My battery saw plenty of neglect as well. Maybe I should buy a tender.

DAVID GAGNARD · #9 (**permalink**) 07-20-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trueoo7

I've got 9 years on a Hyundai Sonata battery and still going strong. The key is to never let them go dead, it harms the cells and they never come back 100%.

Yep, and iffin I'd have taken better care of,it may have lasted longer....I had a short in the electrical systems and it would take about 2 weeks to kill the battery, did this 3 or 4 times till I got the wiring fixed, once I had forgot about it and the battery was dead and stayed that way at least a month.....much neglect and abuse on my part, not the battery's fault, my present red top Optima is about 3 or 4 years old and seems to be doing fine.....

David

venum14 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-20-2011, 08:17 PM

My first Optima is so old I lost track! It was in my Cobra for several years and then I loaned it to my son for his '66 Mustang. That car was wrecked (not his fault) and we moved the battery to his '65 fastback.

I just dug out the sales receipt and it is dated August 1998! Wow, is 13 years a record? The battery is still going strong...I have been running my second Optima in my Cobra now for over six years. with zero problems. Keep them away from heat and don't let them run dead. They will last a long time.

Jeff

mdross1 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-21-2011, 03:38 AM

Just started using the Optima battery PC925 in my V8 bike,really powerful starts.What are you guys using to keep the charge at peek levels?
Battery in our Cobra has to be near 14 yrs old.It is a deep cycle heavy weight always on a Tender.