Optima Red Top Batteries, who's got em?

[VX KAT]

I have experienced this with my red top too. That's when I found out that most Optimas that people think are dead can be revived. Search the Interweb and you'll see some methods...

Forgot about this, Yeah, we had to do this once, worked great. Optima cust serv gave us the directions.

One BlueTop was damaged in shipment, and was DOA. Optima told us to do this: Hook the CTEK charger to the good BlueTop, then connect the DOA to it. Charged for a few hrs, then once DOA has some charge, hook charger directly to the DOA, charge normally.
When the battery is completely dead, the charger detects it as defective and won't charge it, so you fool it with the 2 battery set up.

The CTEK also has a "reconditioning" mode, use this mode when battery has been dead or old, restores it to as good as it can be. After the DOA was charged, then we put it on the recon cycle. Turns out the damage suffered in shipping caused it to not hold a charge very well, so Amazon sent us a replacement.

Of note, none of the 3 BlueTops ever get warm at all during any charging on the CTEK.

[RallyDude]

You're correct on the Yellow Top, it is supposed to fully recover from being discharged, whereas a red top is like a conventional battery where it will only recover 80-90% after being fully discharged. So it is similar to a marine battery in that it is designed to recover from many full discharges, yet unlike a marine battery, it still has the power and cold cranking amps for automotive applications. I plan on buying a Yellow Top soon. If you run accessories while the truck is not running, like winching, stereo, or lighting; or even if you ever just forget and leave the dome light on; then it's worth the extra $20 over a red top as it will recover better and therefore last longer.

Personally, I'd either go with a yellow top or save some money and go with a conventional battery. They may allow you to upgrade seeing as you already had problems with a red top.

[nfpgasmask]

Personally, I'd either go with a yellow top or save some money and go with a conventional battery. They may allow you to upgrade seeing as you already had problems with a red top.

I tried that, but they were very explicit about only replacing the battery for the EXACT same type. I guess that's how Optima's warranty works, which is understandable. Since my VX is not my full time trail rig any more, I'm not too worried about it, it was just an annoyance I didn't want to deal with. I just ordered a nice trickle charger, so I should be good in the future.

Now, if only I could sell the Falcon so my Impulse could rest in the garage with my VX. Such is the life of an auto addict.

Bart

[Dmitrikr]

I just got the yellow top too 75 series dual terminals.
Going to put winch behind front cladding so top terminals for truck& charging - side terminals for winch connection

[yellowgizmo99]

that's my plan also

[RallyDude]

What model # did you order? Were you able to use the stock VX cables?

I'm guessing a yellow top should last longer. How many times do you think a Red Top or a conventional battery are discharged and charged in the store, when you think you are buying them new? With a Yellow Top, you know the store couldn't damage the battery, and you don't have to worry about running accessories when the engine isn't running (provided someone can give you a jump if you run out of juice). I've got an inverter that warns you when the battery is getting low.

Anyone know of any reason not to buy a Yellow Top over a Red Top for the VX other than price? I'd think Proton owners would definitely want this one! I know Costco carries Optima, but I'm not sure if they have the right one? Any other cheap places to buy them?

[JAMAS]

How many times do you think a Red Top or a conventional battery are discharged and charged in the store, when you think you are buying them new?

There is a sticker on the battery (put on at the optima factory) that has a month and year. If you get one that is from the same month or right before, you should be fine. Mine was ordered in for me. brand new

Anyone know of any reason not to buy a Yellow Top over a Red Top for the VX other than price? I'd think Proton owners would definitely want this one! I know Costco carries Optima, but I'm not sure if they have the right one? Any other cheap places to buy them?

Only Red Tops are listed by Optima to be acceptable for the VX.

I tried that, but they were very explicit about only replacing the battery for the EXACT same type. I guess that's how Optima's warranty works, which is understandable.

[RallyDude]

There were a couple comments like this from people who have bought batteries from Amazon. BEWARE:

My D51R went bad after a month. Optima says take it back to whom you purchased it from. I said Amazon, they said "oh no." Optima will not honor the 36 Month Warranty and Amazon said I'm stuck because I can't ship it back -it's hazardous material and it's beyond the 30 day return policy. "We are real sorry, but there's nothing we can do." So if you are going to buy a battery from Amazon - you will be stuck - without any remedy. Join the suckers club with me.

[VX KAT]

There were a couple comments like this from people who have bought batteries from Amazon. BEWARE:

My D51R went bad after a month. Optima says take it back to whom you purchased it from. I said Amazon, they said "oh no." Optima will not honor the 36 Month Warranty and Amazon said I'm stuck because I can't ship it back -it's hazardous material and it's beyond the 30 day return policy. "We are real sorry, but there's nothing we can do." So if you are going to buy a battery from Amazon - you will be stuck - without any remedy. Join the suckers club with me.

I bought a BlueTop for our RV from Amazon with free shipping. It got damaged in shipping because the packaging was insufficient. One corner was cracked and the blue plastic had a white streak in it (you know when you bend plastic). True, Amazon's policy is they will not take them back because they're hazardous. but I contacted Optima, asked if the damage could shorten the life, they confirmed it could. So I contacted Amazon Cust Serv with this info, they gave me full credit AND shipped me another one. 2nd one had proper packaging, everything was OK.

My situation was different I realize, but I can't understand why Optima wouldn't honor the warranty in the example above? Amazon must sell a gazillion of them so this had to come up over and over...

[etlsport]

I have had an optima blue top group 34 In my vx since 06 with no problems. I tested it a few months ago it was still over 1000 cca after being drained at least 30 times

Afaik the yellow and blue tops are identical except for the terminals.. The blue top has extra 1/4" threaded terminals that I use for my audio

[Marlin]

I bought a BlueTop for our RV from Amazon with free shipping. It got damaged in shipping because the packaging was insufficient. One corner was cracked and the blue plastic had a white streak in it (you know when you bend plastic). True, Amazon's policy is they will not take them back because they're hazardous. but I contacted Optima, asked if the damage could shorten the life, they confirmed it could. So I contacted Amazon Cust Serv with this info, they gave me full credit AND shipped me another one. 2nd one had proper packaging, everything was OK.

My situation was different I realize, but I can't understand why Optima wouldn't honor the warranty in the example above? Amazon must sell a gazillion of them so this had to come up over and over...

Did you get to keep the original "damaged" one?
I would guess this is a case of the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

[newthings]

The yellow and blue are the same except for the terminals and are both deep discharge tolerant. The red is described as withstanding 3 or 4 deep discharges and blue as taking 20 to 50 deep discharges. Notice the yellow/blue have less capacity than the red, yet the outside is the same size. This is because more space is allowed between the wraps of lead electrode. Deep discharges and recharges grow lead crystals which stick out from the plates and can cause shorting. More gap means more life, but less surface area.
Roy