optima problems

I'm a member of the "Optima has sucked once they sold out to Johnson Controls" club. I brought my last one in for warranty credit right before it expired. They gave me a loaner Duralast (dont remeber gold silver purple orange etc) for the first URE cross. It worked fine.
I now have a Duralast Gold in my XJ, handles the mall alright, I really have only done hardcore webwheeling since then. I think I'm just gonna go cheap and get a duralast for my next trail rig.
 
I talked the guy who services our fork lifts and jacks at work and he said that Exide had some really good heavy duty batteries.
 
Are yaul talking about the yellow top duralast or the black battery that says gold series on the side?
 
Yea I just went and looked at mine and it's the same.
 
Have fun when you flop/roll and the battery acid comes leaking out... trail rigs need a battery that doesn't leak. I'm only familiar with the Odyssey batteries form the roundy-round crowd, and they seemed to handle that usage well.

I've had the red top in the Cruiser since 2001, and the T/A has a red top circa 2003 and both work great. Both have been killed countless times and trickle charged back to life. Must be pre-Johnson Controls ones...

Lead acid batteries are for the tow rig, not the trail rig.
 
Rich said:
Have fun when you flop/roll and the battery acid comes leaking out... trail rigs need a battery that doesn't leak. I'm only familiar with the Odyssey batteries form the roundy-round crowd, and they seemed to handle that usage well.
I've had the red top in the Cruiser since 2001, and the T/A has a red top circa 2003 and both work great. Both have been killed countless times and trickle charged back to life. Must be pre-Johnson Controls ones...
Lead acid batteries are for the tow rig, not the trail rig.
Click to expand...


I'll try to refrain from flopping or rolling it....atleast for a while. My truck usually doesn't run for long enough at a time to roll it:poop:. If I have any problems out of this one then I will buck up and get an oddysey but i will never buy another optima. I've heard way too much bad shit about them. I took mine in on trade....I wouldn't have bought it.
 
Instead of replacing alternators/starters I found a real good local shop that rebuilds mine about half the cost of a replacement. Very quick turn around too usually less than a half a day.

Dave
 
Had a red top for 5 years and it finally went so I bought a yellow top in 05 and Ive not had any problems and just put a red top in my tahoe no problems there either.
 
Rich said:
Must be pre-Johnson Controls ones...
Click to expand...

That's all I can figure... both "Johnson Control" versions:

1/20/07 - Brand new RedTop
9/27/07 - 1st Replacement
6/8/08 - 2nd Replacement
10/16/10 - DOA *AND* out of warranty!

8/23/07 - Brand new RedTop
6/19/08 - 1st Replacement
5/4/09 - 2nd Replacement
10/16/10 - DOA *AND* out of warranty!

:mad::mad::mad:

I *AM* done with these :poop: batteries!

Only question now, Duralast (cheaper) or O'rielly Extreme AGM? :rolleyes:
 
1stgenxxx said:
The Optima gave up on pull cable this morning.....I for sure won't buy another one.
Anyone on here running an odyssey or some other havy duty battery with good luck?
Click to expand...


I'm running an Odessey 2150 Amp battery on my 4Runner. Sucker weighs about 80-90lbs., but it is lighter and requires less space than having to run two Optimas. The cost of the big Odessey was bout the same as two Optimas.

The Odessey sat idle for almost a year after I bought it and then cranked my Cummins like it was a 20R....
 
GONOVRIT said:
I'm running a duralast gold and haven't had any issues out of it.
Click to expand...
braxton357 said:
This is all I use now as well. Replaced two red tops with them and the batteries in my truck and boat. No problems with any of them. Do have a red top doorstop now though.
Click to expand...

I am running a yellow top duralast in my Tow rig and Trail rig, The tow rig went out after 6 years and they prorated me a new one for $30 of the $100 it was new.
 
After I schooled the parts flunky (NOTE: Optimas purchased BEFORE 2/1/09 are still prorated!), they did some math and I ended up with an O'Rielly AGM out the door for $80... could've also been the $150 I spent on other junk (brakes & oil change for the Sub) :rolleyes:
 
up-n-over said:
I'm running an Odessey 2150 Amp battery on my 4Runner. Sucker weighs about 80-90lbs., but it is lighter and requires less space than having to run two Optimas. The cost of the big Odessey was bout the same as two Optimas.
The Odessey sat idle for almost a year after I bought it and then cranked my Cummins like it was a 20R....
Click to expand...

I run the same battery. It weighs 78lbs, got it for a smoking deal of $150.

-Sam
 
AxeAngel said:
I run the same battery. It weighs 78lbs, got it for a smoking deal of $150.
-Sam
Click to expand...

Wow, I paid almost twice that for mine. You really did get a great deal!
 
Back
Top