Which battery? Optima died.

[samckitt]

I have had Optima batteries pretty much since car has been running, but it seems that if you don't drive it alot it seems to loose power & then if too low kills the battery. For the cost seems like they should last better than that. Anyone else see this too?

[cpd004]

I have had Optima batteries pretty much since car has been running, but it seems that if you don't drive it alot it seems to loose power & then if too low kills the battery. For the cost seems like they should last better than that. Anyone else see this too?


Same here. I gave up on Optima. Friends have had similar issues. I went with XS Power. So far so good after 5 years.

[ilikeike]

I gave up on the Optima myself,after two in the boat and one in the truck went far too quickly in my opinion.

I'm on to Odyssey batteries now,
I pulled the 6 year old Odyssey out of my truck to use in my Camaro project last year just to test the electrical and fire it,but it's still going strong @ 7yrs old now.

[slimjim]

+2 for XS power, I bought one 6 years ago, had it in 3 different cars, one of which sat around for 18months at one point and the engine started right up first crank

[6D9 Matt]

I also got an Odyssey this past spring. Not one complaint! Would definitely recommend.

[gnx7]

Stay far away from Optima batteries. If they ever get fully discharged they are never the same. The company was sold a couple years ago and ever since the quality has gone in the toilet.

I run Odyssey PC925 batteries and they kick butt. 26lbs and plenty of CCA

[GregWeld]

Anything but an Optima. Sad to say - because I love what they do for our hobby etc with support... but the product just doesn't work well for how we use it. If you're going to use one it has to be on a AGM type charger all the time. Other batteries last for months without being charged but not these and not with the new electronic stuff we add to our builds etc. Many items pull constant current.

[samckitt]

I took mine back to the place I bought it, since it had a 3 year warranty on it, I thought its worth a try.

They gave me a new one.

Next time I have to buy a new battery, I will not be buying another Optima.

[kevin_l]

Another vote for Odyssey. Mine sits in my project car for months on end. I can walk out and fire the car at will. Very happy so far.

[minendrews68]

I've been told that if they go dead, they can be charged back with a certain charger. My son just bought one for his truck and I mentioned that I didn't like the fact that if they died it was time to throw them away. He said if it died bring it back to him and he would recharge it back to where it was. he had a charger made by Opitma to do it.

[ragz]

Just my opinion..... if you gave me an Optima,i would not use it... had no luck with them.

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk

[Panteracer]

Anyone tried the new Antigravity batteries
They had one that was race car only and just
came out with a new one more driver car friendly just
no big amp stereos etc

I was thinking of getting one as they are 11.5 lbs vs
my 43 lb optima.. a good way to shave weight but
costly at $699

Bob

[shelteredV]

Wow, that's way expensive! I can see it in a racecar where weight is critical, but a street car, nah. I always used Optima until the company sold and quality seemed to tank. Been using AGM's with good results since.

[rustomatic]

It's funny how this thread comes back here and elsewhere . . . there must be a continuing theme. For those fighting the weight of a battery in a car that actually gets used, like Bob's Pantera, consider what I did: Go to O'Reilly or Autozone and buy a 300 CCA quad/motorcycle battery (about $100.00). It's like 10 or 12 pounds; you can play hot potato with it. You just have to make a holder, which I did with some 16-gauge sheet (and some bolts and rivet nuts) I had leaning against a wall . . .

My Falcon has had one of these in it for some time now, and it never lost a charge through all the fun of getting the LS fired and running through the initial stages, which were many months and a couple track days ago. This is by no means an idea original to my car. Get creative, people. Check the pics of my crud to steal an idea that has worked quite nicely (with weight displacement benefits). For scale, that's only a 12" rotor.

[jlwdvm]

A $49 Harbor Freight digital battery charger will bring a "Dead" Optima battery back to life. Ask me how I know.

[Panteracer]

Paul,
I hear you on the smaller battery... I am really trying
to cut weight out in the firebird... My Pantera buddy
has been cutting all kinds of weight in his car and has
the smaller lighter battery.. it worked ok until he tried
to start his new alum 427... my firebird yellow top is
sitting in the car for now.. might be it was a little tight
at first and sitting for a while although it was on a charger

Might be worth a try in the firebird but with 494 inches not
sure it will work

Bob