Optima Batteries

[ERA Chas]

Can anyone supply their experiences with the "Red Top", Number 9004-003?
Mine is about three yrs. old and is getting weak. Alternator is fine [88 amp/hr], and the car is on a "Battery Tender" trickle charger when not in use.
Thanks,

[flipper35]

Had mine for a couple years and no problems other than accidentally running it dead a couple times from leaving something on in the car. Slap a charger on it and it's good to go. The Exide I had before that had to be replaced if I ever ran it that dead.

[barry]

I have the same battery, put a cut-off switch in trunk as to not run battery dead. Have had the battery for two years, no problem. You might try a 10 amp charge on an automatic charger overnight. Have you checked your ground cable to frame? A bad ground can cause a charging problem.

[RallySnake]

ERA,

After about nine months, mine got pretty weak. I took it back to Pep Boys. They charged on a special charger for an hour, then ran a diagnostic test on it. It was fine and has been fine ever since. I keep my trickle charger on it all the time now. Too many electronic circuits in the car.

Paul

[BT SNAKE]

Bought mine 6 yrs ago and it still starts the cobra. Although
it is starting to slow down a bit. I also have the same brand in
the GT40 for the last 2.5 yrs. It's doing fine as well.

Hersh

[TerribleTed13]

Chas,
My battery sits in front of the engine and in front of the metal tank, about 6 inches behind the radiator. The previous battery would boil/spit out acid. Charging system at 14.1 volts. The optima dosent leak or have a issues. I've heard storys that the optima will last 10-12 years. Optima claims a new battery can sit on the shelf for 2 years, and still be in top condition/ready for use. But they do recomend a charge every 12 months.
Wish they made motorcycle batteries.

[Lowell W]

I've had my Optima battery for about a year. The big selling points for me were that it was leakproof and relatively powerful for its size. In my car, the battery goes into a well in the trunk so it's difficult to get at and impossible to see around without a mirror and a light. I've not had a problem with it, although I put the Battery Tender on it every couple of weeks during the winter.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

I have had a "red top" Optima for three or four years now in my Mustang,starts a 10.4 to 1 compression 351-W like the day I bought it....The only thing I do is disconnect the battery when I know I'm not going to use the car in four or five days or more.....and I do this for safety's sake,it's real easy to undo the positive cable vs. electrical fire that may burn down the car and my 40x50 shop that it sits in.....

David

[Junket]

I have 7 from 1-9 years old not a bad on yet only thing if you run one down it won't charge on high or fast ONLY on a trickle charger.
Ken