Alternative to Optima

[WSSix]

I'm not too happy right now. My 3.5 year old Red Top that mainly sat disconnected from the car is no good. I'm having a real hard time justifying spending $200 again on another one considering it didn't last any longer than a normal AutoZone battery. Hell, AutoZone will prorate their stuff after 3 years even but not Optima. So what are my options if any? The battery sits in the trunk. I don't have it in a box with a vent so I believe that means I have to use an AGM battery versus a liquid battery, correct?

Thanks

Sorry for the bitch fest but $200 is a lot of money to me and I expect more for the premium price they ask.

[camcojb]

I'm not too happy right now. My 3.5 year old Red Top that mainly sat disconnected from the car is no good. I'm having a real hard time justifying spending $200 again on another one considering it didn't last any longer than a normal AutoZone battery. Hell, AutoZone will prorate their stuff after 3 years even but not Optima. So what are my options if any? The battery sits in the trunk. I don't have it in a box with a vent so I believe that means I have to use an AGM battery versus a liquid battery, correct?

Thanks

Sorry for the bitch fest but $200 is a lot of money to me and I expect more for the premium price they ask.
Have you tried reconditioning it with the chargers made for that purpose? I have saved several that way that I thought were dead. Regular chargers don't bring them back. I have a Ctek like this one, but they make less expensive models.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41SOmER0G9L._SX385_.jpg

[WSSix]

I used my Battery Tender Jr all through the night last night. It's a slow charge charger/tender. It showed fully charged this morning as did the gauge on the dash. Hit the starter and it doesn't have the power to start. Look at the gauge and it's down a full volt immediately after trying to start. There's also a small amount of acid that seeped/leaked out of the battery.

What's the difference between a Ctek unit and a regular charger?

Thanks

[camcojb]

I used my Battery Tender Jr all through the night last night. It's a slow charge charger/tender. It showed fully charged this morning as did the gauge on the dash. Hit the starter and it doesn't have the power to start. Look at the gauge and it's down a full volt immediately after trying to start. There's also a small amount of acid that seeped/leaked out of the battery.

What's the difference between a Ctek unit and a regular charger?

Thanks
It may be that the battery is shot, but this is how the Ctek does it. A regular charger can cook these batteries. I've had Optima batteries that would not hold a charge that worked fine after being on the Ctek charger; of course your results may be different.

http://smartercharger.com/

V_oI3jdlD84#!

[WSSix]

Thanks for the info, Jody.

If I do decide to get another battery, do you know if I have to use an AGM battery since the battery is technically in the passenger compartment? I've always been told the normal liquid acid batteries have to be in a sealed box that's vented to the outside if they are in the trunk. Something about vapors while being charged by the alternator.

[booah]

I went with an Odyssey Extreme AGM. Then theres no liquid acid getting flung around , its sealed , its got a steel jacket built around it from the factory and no hydrogen in the trunk/ passenger compartment.

I put my battery in the trunk last year, then got rear ended a few months later and that was the first thing that came to my mind when I finally got the trunk opened.
http://shop.odysseybattery.com/p/pc1200mjt-a?pp=12

I bought a CTEK charger also. Batteries are heavy little suckers

[randy]

honestly get a good 51r battery for under $100. If it goes bad it should be under warranty everytime

[WSSix]

I think I'm going to give the Ctek a try. The way I figure it is that I'll need a tender anyway and this unit will also do that as well as charge and maybe recondition the battery. If it turns out the battery is indeed bad, oh well. I will need a tender anyway. The Battery Tender Jr I was using is an extra one so maybe I can sell it and recover some of my money. I'm getting the Ctek off Amazon for $90 shipped. Got my fingers crossed that it'll work.

[camcojb]

I think I'm going to give the Ctek a try. The way I figure it is that I'll need a tender anyway and this unit will also do that as well as charge and maybe recondition the battery. If it turns out the battery is indeed bad, oh well. I will need a tender anyway. The Battery Tender Jr I was using is an extra one so maybe I can sell it and recover some of my money. I'm getting the Ctek off Amazon for $90 shipped. Got my fingers crossed that it'll work.
That's a good idea. If it works you save money, and if not you'll love the charger anyway. Good luck!

[Sieg]

Wire an SAE pigtail to the Monster and use the Battery Tender to float charge it............from what I've observed on the Ducati forum they tend to need it. :thumbsup:

[WSSix]

I have two tenders. One was on the Ninja that I sold recently and the other stays plugged into the Duc, and, you're correct, they do need it. I've got the ring terminals connected to the battery and the pigtail tucked away on the frame. I just pull it out and plug it in when I park the bike. I'll do the same thing with the Ctek unit and the TA. I'll just leave it in the trunk and keep it plugged in.

Thanks everyone.

[RdHuggr68]

I had 2 red top Optimas in a 4 year period, I will never purchase another one.
I bought an Odyssey battery and it is great. They are a little pricey and are heavy but it has never failed on me like the Optimas did. The Sears Platinum is the same battery I found out after the fact for less money. Good luck
Kevin

[WSSix]

Thanks Kevin. I'll keep that in mind should the Ctek unit not revive the Optima

[WSSix]

Hey Jody, On the Optimas that you saved, how long did that take? Are we talking a few hours or a day or more? The Ctek unit arrived yesterday so I had it plugged in over night. It quickly went to the third light, absorption, and stayed there over night so about 16 hours. I figured it wouldn't take that long to either go into recondition mode or throw an error saying the battery was bad but, I'm not sure either.

Thanks

[camcojb]

Hey Jody, On the Optimas that you saved, how long did that take? Are we talking a few hours or a day or more? The Ctek unit arrived yesterday so I had it plugged in over night. It quickly went to the third light, absorption, and stayed there over night so about 16 hours. I figured it wouldn't take that long to either go into recondition mode or throw an error saying the battery was bad but, I'm not sure either.

Thanks
Mine didn't take that long.

[WSSix]

Well, crap. Ok, I'll be patient and see what happens. Thanks, Jody.

[camcojb]

Did you pick the recond mode?

[BBPanel]

Optima Rep has some comments in this thread:
http://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?98660-Optima-battery-question&highlight=optima

[GregWeld]

I only use C-Tek chargers... they're fantastic little chargers.

[WSSix]

Did you pick the recond mode?

Yep, and I let it sit over night again without it going past absorption. Got fed up and just bought another one today since it basically was holding me up from any other work I wanted to do. This is Optima's last chance. I'll leave it on the C-tek unit for the most part and see what happens. Admittedly, I expect a lot for my $200. If I don't get it, I won't buy them again.

[WSSix]

I only use C-Tek chargers... they're fantastic little chargers.

I like the build quality that's for sure. Time will tell if it's any better than a simple Battery Tender but I'm sure it can't be any worse.


Thanks BBPanel, too

[TMIProducts]

I've had two Optimas in my Nova. Haven't been too happy with them. BUT I figured since this car has been a work in progress on and off for the last 10 years, it was just age and lack of use.

I actually have TWO of the Odyssey batteries in my Chevelle. Mine isn't flat out race car, so one for the car and one for the stereo system. Only had them in there about 6 months, but so far have been really happy.

[rjp71]

I had an Odyssey in My Camaro for about a year and I have had no problems.

[66fury]

you can bring a dead optima back to life by alternating a charge from 10 to 40 amps but do not go higher than 40 amps and do not leave it on more than 30 minutes at 40 amps.keep alternating for a few hours to get it started.i leave mine on a tender all the time in the hot rod but when my daily driver has gone dead i have used this alternating method.there is info online about it.i also have jumped it with the 200amp jump start mode to get it running and charging then add the trickle charger overnight which has brought it back up.im on 6 + years and cant tell you how many times its been dead and somehow it comes back to life.i use yellowtops.

[WSSix]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm sure other people will find it helpful as well.

I couldn't get the first one to come back so I've already turned it in and have gotten another. To help ensure I didn't have any troubles with the 2nd one, I followed BBPanel's link and have stayed in touch with Jim in that thread. From Jim's information, I actually turned the second one back in as possibly defective and am now on my 3rd. This third one is doing just fine. I intend to keep it on the C-tek unit to keep it in good condition. I also pull the positive lead off the battery as well. So far I'm pleased that Jim/Optima has been receptive about helping ensure their product meets my expectations. Customer service goes a long way with me now-a-days simply because I feel it's lacking in so many areas.

[camcojb]

Perfect. :thumbsup: