GT40s.com - View Single Post - Red Top batteries

Ray Tharp · 06-22-08, 02:55 AM

I too have not had good luck with Optima red top or yellow top batteries. I have been through three. I have gone to a larger alternator and not much improvement.

My first problem is that they were advertised as a great battery for a collectable cars or a car that is driven sparingly or seasonally. I too find them to be very sensitive to charging techniques. With my first battery I was told by the battery rep that the Obtimas don't like a slow charge so "hit it hard" meaning lots of amps. I found this to be WRONG. I then proceeded to ruin my second battery too using his advice-after all he sells them. Yeah right. So they may be a great battery but they are anything but maintaince free.

Then I was told that I needed a charger that has a "gel battery" or "spiral cell" charge setting. So I bought one and that's when I learned that you do not hit these batteries hard, but the damage was already done. I also was told once they go all the way down they never come back the same????

This week I bought a new glass mat gel battery made by Braille Inc. Not cheap but certainly light. 21 lbs and that is 1/2 the weight of the Optima. I bought the carbon fiber case model and we will see how it does. For sure I am going to buy the charger that they sell and recommend. Google their site.

I am going to call their tech line and see how a Battery Tender will work and if it is recommended.

At this point I am thinking maybe I should just get a sealed lead acid maintance free battery for $100 and chuck it in the trash every couple of years.

I will put some dense foam under it to minimize the vibration.

Now I will say my daughter has a Optima Red Top in Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is a daily driver year around and she has been served well even in harse cold weather.

I think the problems begin when they sit around,discharge and the wrong charger settings are used or too small of a alternator.

06-22-08, 02:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
Ray Tharp poboy427 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 1 Rep Power: 1	Re: Red Top batteries - Warning I too have not had good luck with Optima red top or yellow top batteries. I have been through three. I have gone to a larger alternator and not much improvement. My first problem is that they were advertised as a great battery for a collectable cars or a car that is driven sparingly or seasonally. I too find them to be very sensitive to charging techniques. With my first battery I was told by the battery rep that the Obtimas don't like a slow charge so "hit it hard" meaning lots of amps. I found this to be WRONG. I then proceeded to ruin my second battery too using his advice-after all he sells them. Yeah right. So they may be a great battery but they are anything but maintaince free. Then I was told that I needed a charger that has a "gel battery" or "spiral cell" charge setting. So I bought one and that's when I learned that you do not hit these batteries hard, but the damage was already done. I also was told once they go all the way down they never come back the same???? This week I bought a new glass mat gel battery made by Braille Inc. Not cheap but certainly light. 21 lbs and that is 1/2 the weight of the Optima. I bought the carbon fiber case model and we will see how it does. For sure I am going to buy the charger that they sell and recommend. Google their site. I am going to call their tech line and see how a Battery Tender will work and if it is recommended. At this point I am thinking maybe I should just get a sealed lead acid maintance free battery for $100 and chuck it in the trash every couple of years. I will put some dense foam under it to minimize the vibration. Now I will say my daughter has a Optima Red Top in Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is a daily driver year around and she has been served well even in harse cold weather. I think the problems begin when they sit around,discharge and the wrong charger settings are used or too small of a alternator.