Battery

[Moonrover]

which red top would fit as there are for different ones listed on their website

[etlsport]

a group size 34 is what ive got

[Mark B]

Thanks for all the help.
I can't decide between the Die Hard or Optima.
The Optima has a $ 25.00 rebate.
Will do some price shopping this weekend.

[VX KAT]

FYI- Don't forget to check out Amazon.com as they have some really good prices, FREE shipping, and you still can send in for the rebate. I got 2 blue tops from them a few months ago, killer prices, free shipping, no sales tax, plus 2 rebates from Optima.

[VX KAT]

Wanted to revisit & get new opinions on Optima batteries as they've gotten older...
Our FJ needs a new battery, we figured we'd get an Optima Yellow top. Called around, looked online for pricing. Called local "Batteries Plus" ....salesguy says "Optimas are made in Mexico as of about 3 yrs ago, they've taken back about 10,000 bad ones, stopped carrying them since quality problems and they've had so many problems with them." Tried to sell us another AGM (I think their house brand, but didn't catch the brand), more CCA, more reserve. Meanwhile, they still sell Optimas on their website....hmmmm,

Optima's site says FJ takes a Group 35.
Sales guy rattled off some rapid fire stuff about the physical size of a Group 35 being smaller than the other AGM he recommended, and we'd need that adapter thing to fit (no big deal in my mind) and recommended a different size (can't recall which one), said it would fill up the battery holder area, so it's a "bigger" more powerful battery....

~We figure we don't need tremendous CCA as our climate is pretty mild. (Yellowtop has 770 @ 32 degrees)
~We don't need a ton of reserve as no monster stereo, amp or winch, etc... (Yellowtop has 100)

I've had a Redtop for 18 months, 0 probs. (Theoretically mine would have been made in Mexico, but I haven't verified that yet)

What's everybody else think / know about Optimas (specifically the yellowtop)?
Anybody know if the ones made in Mexico are really showing higher problems?
Eric do you get to hear the scoop on this kinda stuff from work?
I know several of you mentioned the Diehard Platinum, has more CCA & reserve I believe, and circ pointed out it had a better warranty....but, we're still most interested in the Optima Yellowtop.

Thoughts? Experiences? Problems?

[Marlin]

Hmmm, I guess it's true what they say. Anyone who lives in the State of Arizona don't like anything from Mexico.

Anyway, I have a yellow top in the F150 that has made its way through my last three trucks. I got it in 06, never had a problem. I got it to support my 06 Explorer that I added a fridge, inverter, dvd and so on.
The problem of the optimas not filling your factory spot are easily solved. Its 1/8" steel and he will cut just about whatever pattern you want in the top, just make sure you tell him which way you want it oriented If looks are important, and I have seen your hubby's FJ, looks are important, the optima with custom tray is the way to go. Here is a link to the dealer I used for the tray. As I said, it's definitely high quality, and he cuts the top for free within reason, so if he wanted "FJ" or some such, it would be no problemo.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Optima-Battery-B...item41494ff42a

[Bulldoggie]

I run with the "Blue Tops" Marine deep cycle.
They can bounce back from low charge better and they can start a car engine as well as any boat engine.
Battery problems are not on my list.

[etlsport]

Die hard platinums are gel cell

Sue,
The size difference he was probably talking about is common. Most toyotas take a group 24f battery. A group 35 is the same height and terminal configuration but length wise it is about 2 inches shorter. Any battery hold down made for one will work with the other. If you wait until Monday I'll confirm the fit at work.

As far as quality control I know die hard was made in mexico by JCI for a while and towards the beginning of this year we saw a lot of problems with batteries coming in over filled so they would leak a small amount during the first charge. Other than that the only other quality control issues we see often are with dual post batteries (top and side post) the gel cells the side terminals work lose and you lose connection unless you take the top off and retighten it. The acid batteries with dual posts Labeled SUV batteries we are seeing come in after 18-30 months dead as a doornail. They happily discontinued those batteries last year and the old ones that are dying usually are fully warrantied out. The other is with vented batteries like in vws and other European cars. They just have a tendency to die within a year or two they are replaced under full warranty often as well.


After those problems we switched to a new manufacturer in Pennsylvania affiliated with Deka. So far so good. The new manuf. Batteries are easily identified by an animated logo on them as opposed to just a solid color.

Keep in mind this stuff applies to northern batteries and may be different than the batteries you would get which are designed for the warmer weather of the south.

[Gussie2000]

Thanks for all the help.
I can't decide between the Die Hard or Optima.
The Optima has a $ 25.00 rebate.
Will do some price shopping this weekend.

I bought an die hard platinium series and let me tell you this...you can't go wrong with this one.

This is my 2nd die hard & never had any issues with them.

Mines have 880 CCA with 1000 reserve. My horse fires up like a rocket