Optima batteries

[hayseed]

I have been using the red top optima's in most of my vehicles for quite some time. A couple of years ago I had 3 failed red tops, 2 of them were more than 10 years old and 1 was less than 6 months old. The newer one had me a bit pissed off but after reading through this thread I now know what caused it to go bad.

The battery in question was used in a Dodge diesel with dual batteries, both Batteries were changed from flooded type to Optimas and there was a good bit of corrosion on the battery cable connectors, I did clean them up when the batteries were changed but I guess I didn't get them clean enough. one of the 2 batteries didn't have a really good contact and that battery lost it's charge, but that wasn't the battery that died, it was the other battery, I'm sure that the draw on just one battery was just too much for it to handle, causing the charging system to run the voltage high enough to take out the battery.
I did completely clean up / replace all the corroded connections and every thing has been good ever since.
By the way the older red tops were in use on vehicles that saw a lot of winch time, heavy off road usage, and long storage times inbetween outings. 10 plus years isn't bad.

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[Jerry Zaiden]

Since we have now been using the Odyssey batteries they are outlasting the Optimas 1 race to 3 races so far with ZERO issues. I will let you know IF/when we have an issue with an Odyssey. They also seem to have much more power for the same size battery, we notice less voltage drop in starting and they seem to hold the voltage when the engine is not running. They are little things that can be huge in a race car/truck. So far we are really happy!

[Jerry Zaiden]

Still the same 2 Odyssey batteries and ZERO issues.

[560bajamike]

Great to here, gives me a different direction in the future. Thanks for the update.

Mike

[dan200]

If you guys wanna help an independent guy who knows and understand your needs, go with Philofab. he is kinda a battery wizard and he might not just be your battery supplier/guru, he might also be your retrieval guy if you break racing BITD or HDRA.




this is his shop...

http://www.mohavebattery.com/

[PWR MAD]

Although not in a race car, just a sand car with a lot of electrical accessories

Never tried the Odyssey, but I've had the best results using a Total Power battery

[Mark Newhan]

Total power FTW

[Robin Hood]

Anyone have any updates or further experience with these batteries?

[dan200]

Anyone have any updates or further experience with these batteries?

they still suck... my friends just crapped the bed in his daily driver 12 months old...

[partybarge_pilot]

My 60$ Vatozone special that replaced the one in My Manx is still rocking......... So much for the alternator "overcharging" it..........