Optima Battery

[RedSnake351]

OK, it all started about 3 weeks ago, coming home in the evening from a little Cobra meeting and noticed the headlights not real bright. Look at the voltage gauge and notice the needle at the 11V mark. Next day pulled off the alternator and had it checked at Autozone , "FAILED!"
Replaced alternator, voltage regulator and belt. Gauge read correctly at around 13V. Great for a week, used car on several fairly long runs then last Thursday it wouldn't start again, trickle charged my 43 month old Red Top Optima 34/78 and took the car to Batteries Plus who tell me the battery is bad, showing only 400CCA instead of 850, but tell me the warranty expired at 36 months. WTF
They wanted to sell me another Red Top for 179 bucks plus tax! I know I look stupid, but that f*c*ing stupid???
Did one component lead to the failure of the other, or is it just coincidence?
Who TF knows?
AND after the Snake and Eggs this morning I smelled burning rubber on the way home, the new Chinese **** belt is already disintegrating!
Let's see, alternator rebuilt in Mexico, NAPA voltage regulator made in China, and an expensive American made battery which doesn't last longer than 3 years?

They sure don't build them like they used to!!!

Sorry for the rant, but I had to tell somebody.
Ralph

[bobcowan]

Optima batteries seem to be feast or famine. Some people can get 8-9 years out of them, and some people only 2. I got 2 years out of the first one, and (so far) 2.5 years out of the second one.

The only reason to use an Optima is because it is completly sealed. Mine is mounted above the passenger foot box, and I don't want any leaks - especially in a crash. Otherwise I'd use an Autozone Dura-Last like I do in all my other cars.

[Bill Bess]

Life is tough, you get old and die....Dammmm! I guess your a lucky one if you get old before you die.
Get a new Gates belt, a new red top battery and a new chrome plated alternator from Summit. Then fill the tank and go for a long ride at a very high speed, come home and drink a sixer....Happiness will follow.

Keeps me going..Bill

[FUNFER2]

If can find it, there was a article in Car Craft ?,... that told when these type of Gel batteries go to very low charge, they will not charge again. But, they did write how the batter can be charged up again and works fine. Do NOT overcharge. The big answer to this problem is, never let it get down that far. Use a trickle charger made,.... for these batteries !,.... when it's not in use.

These Gels, need different care than a wet cell. There's all kinds of information on the net. Look up Optima's website, and follow the instructions to the letter, about usage and charging, and you won't have an issue. It's not a typical wet battery.

Again, I will look for the article.

[FUNFER2]

Found it.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/g...ery/index.html

[Xavier]

I would just jump to the post about how to charge the optima battery, quoting an official from Johnson Controls manufacturer of Optima batteries.

http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=106562

[Bob In Ct]

I've had my Interstate for more than 10 years now. Why get anything else?

Bob

[FUNFER2]

I agree. unless you're mounting it sideways, upside down like for Hot Rods situations, I stick with the wet-cell.

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

My first Red-top lasted 23 months and got free replacment at Pep Boys. Current one still working after 36 months. Hit and miss I understand. My first Interstate lasted 5+ years.
You need to go on some long trips with us.
AZ Bob

[Danr55]

Yep.. long drives are the best cure for whatever ails your Cobra. It kind of shakes everything down and makes it work right. Cobras are, afterall, much like women. You have to use them regularly to make then perform correctly..

Damn I hope Don uses that line on Diana or Mikie on Ginny.. That would be funny..

[Excaliber]

The problem with "how to charge an Optima battery" as both the JC rep and myself pointed out earlier is this:

Why did you let the battery drop to such a low voltage it has to "get a jump" from another battery to be charged up?

The fact that the battery was allowed to fall below a chargable voltage state also means that some sulphation has already taken place. BAM, the batteries life will be shorter as a result. Keep it up and you will be in line for a "warranty" issue. Not the batteries fault, but the manufacturer will probably warranty it anyway, and even then the manufacturer will get the blame for a bad product.

No doubt a bunch of warranty issues could be traced to end user abuse.

[RedSnake351]

Lots of useful information by following the links listed above and thanks to all who responded.
Ralph

[Danr55]

"Keep it up and you will be in line for a "warranty" issue." Hey Ralph, is it under warranty? I don't think I got one with mine!

[RedSnake351]

Originally Posted by Danr55

"Keep it up and you will be in line for a "warranty" issue." Hey Ralph, is it under warranty? I don't think I got one with mine!

According to their website they all carry a 36 month warranty and on some sites an additional 36month/prorated warranty if the battery was purchased before a certain date in 2009.
I will call the local distributor this morning and see about the prorated part. If not I will get a Delco, Duracel or other standard battery.
Ralph

[madmaxx]

Usually if your batter has a bad cell it will destroy your alternator since it causes the alternator to continually work, one usually follows the other.

[RedSnake351]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

Usually if your batter has a bad cell it will destroy your alternator since it causes the alternator to continually work, one usually follows the other.

I guess that makes sense, but maybe it was the alternator which first went bad by not charging enough and let the battery get run down. It's like the old chicken and egg argument, which came first?
Ralph

[Snakebit]

Once upon a time when you bought speed parts they lasted longer than OEM because they were made to take the abuse of racing. Now most of the speed parts are made in China and Mexico along with the other crap. All you hear is MSD failures and problems with Edelbrock. The large container ships come to the US from China loaded to the gills and return empty. And they wonder why unemployment is 9.5%?????

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by Snakebit

Once upon a time when you bought speed parts they lasted longer than OEM because they were made to take the abuse of racing. Now most of the speed parts are made in China and Mexico along with the other crap. All you hear is MSD failures and problems with Edelbrock. The large container ships come to the US from China loaded to the gills and return empty. And they wonder why unemployment is 9.5%?????

Could not have said it any better buddy !

[SP01715]

I had a bad experience with an Optima and have switched to Odyssey batteries anytime I need a high end battery. I have 3 Odyssey's right now, and they have been great. More money than Optima, but a better battery IMO...

[mln385]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Could not have said it any better buddy !

Ditto....if we stopped importing everything we would have more people working and contributing to the economy.