Dual Optima Batteries

[daverami]

Hi all,

I am going to eventually do a dual battery setup in my 06 Tacoma. I was thinking of going the Diehard route, but I do not think I can fit two of them under the hood.

I saw a good writeup on another forum, forgot which one, where a person installed two Optima yellow tops in the stock battery space using a custom tray. Looks really good.

My question is how much luck have people had using Optimas? There have been some threads around where they seem to have had a drop in quality.

I am reluctant to run another battery in the bed, as I still use the truck for hauling stuff around for my business, and I think a battery setup back there would get in the way.

Thanks

 

[t0mills]

I've personally had several go bad (4, and they were in different vehicles) on me, my last yellow top actually went up in smoke and left me stranded in a parking lot.

My friends have all had them go bad too.
I actually sold a brand new red top to an expo member on here last year, and he called me early this year, asking me info about where I had gotten it, because it left him stranded.

I have had good luck with Optima's customer service. They've always FedEx'd me a new battery within a week of one dying.

With that said, I do not trust them, and will not run one ever again. Many years ago, they used to be the best that you could buy.....Now, they are junk.


If you decide to run them, best of luck to you. I personally run the DieHard Platinum batteries.

 

[daverami]

I've personally had several go bad (4, and they were in different vehicles) on me, my last yellow top actually went up in smoke and left me stranded in a parking lot.

My friends have all had them go bad too.
I actually sold a brand new red top to an expo member on here last year, and he called me early this year, asking me info about where I had gotten it, because it left him stranded.

I have had good luck with Optima's customer service. They've always FedEx'd me a new battery within a week of one dying.

With that said, I do not trust them, and will not run one ever again. Many years ago, they used to be the best that you could buy.....Now, they are junk.


If you decide to run them, best of luck to you. I personally run the DieHard Platinum batteries.

Yikes!!!

 

[Mike S]

I have switched to Deka AGMs. Better battery and about $50 less. The older Optimas were good, but I had a couple fail, and made the change to Deka at the recommendation of my Optima distributor.

 

[BorntoVenture]

Lost 2 yellow tops in the drag car over the past two years, one near the beginning of each season. They seem to be good for 10-12 months of use, then get ready to call Optima.

 

[XJINTX]

Weird, I'm a pretty avid off roader and have been for years. Myself and many others always used red tops and I never heard a complaint. Some used yellow for the deep cycle and add ons. I used my winch and off road lights and over the years never had an issue?

Note I grew up in the north and dealt with the cold of upstate NY and now I'm in central TX where we have heat.

I guess it's like anything else... some have good experiences and others do not.

Whatever you go with I like Gel or non-serveice required for off road and remote trips!

 

[jbs]

My Optima Yellow Top D31 also went bad after <2yrs. I have a Diehard Platinum Marine now.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

I have had 2 blue tops in my rig for years and no problems, best warranty in the business at 4 years full replacement and then another 6 prorated (10 yr total). Optima sealed cell gel batteries are amongst the best and Wal-Mart and Costco usually have the best price. Right now there is a $20 mail-in rebate for up to 3 purchases. Also, Optimas can work in any position, sideways, upside down,you name it....makes for a lot of combinations to do an install.

Blue tops are exactly the same as the yellow tops but also have the 2 extra posts (Steel Stud & SAE Post) with wing nuts to attach things to.

It is always a good thing to start with two batteries of the same age, use and manufacturer.

Blues:

• 3x more recharges
• Both Dual Purpose and Starting applications available
• More than 15x the vibration resistance
• Completely spill-proof, mountable in many positions
• Maintenance free
• Optimal starting power, regardless of temperature

 

[t0mills]

I have had 2 blue tops in my rig for years and no problems, best warranty in the business at 4 years full replacement and then another 6 prorated (10 yr total). Optima sealed cell gel batteries are amongst the best and Wal-Mart and Costco usually have the best price. Right now there is a $20 mail-in rebate for up to 3 purchases. Also, Optimas can work in any position, sideways, upside down,you name it....makes for a lot of combinations to do an install.

Blue tops are exactly the same as the yellow tops but also have the 2 extra posts (Steel Stud & SAE Post) with wing nuts to attach things to.

It is always a good thing to start with two batteries of the same age, use and manufacturer.

Blues:

• 3x more recharges
• Both Dual Purpose and Starting applications available
• More than 15x the vibration resistance
• Completely spill-proof, mountable in many positions
• Maintenance free
• Optimal starting power, regardless of temperature

How long ago were these purchased? Several years ago, Optimas were the thing to buy. They worked really well, and lasted a very long time. I had excellent luck with them back then.

However, after Johnson Controls bought Optima back in 2000, they began making the batteries in Mexico. For the first few years, some were made in Mexico, and some were still being made in Colorado. Now, they are all being made in Mexico.

Do a google search on "Optima Battery Quality" and see what you find.

 

[01tundra]

I've always run blue top Optima's and haven't had one failure in 5 yrs so far......

 

[Antichrist]

I am reluctant to run another battery in the bed, as I still use the truck for hauling stuff around for my business, and I think a battery setup back there would get in the way

Have you checked to see if you have room under the bed on it's side mounted to a frame rail? obviously you'd likely have to provide some protection for it.

Also, Optimas can work in any position, sideways, upside down,you name it....makes for a lot of combinations to do an install.

That's true of any Spiral cell, including the Exide/NAPA and AGM batteries like Diehard Platinum/Odyssey.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

I've always run blue top Optima's and haven't had one failure in 5 yrs so far......

ditto x2

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

How long ago were these purchased? Several years ago, Optimas were the thing to buy. They worked really well, and lasted a very long time. I had excellent luck with them back then.

However, after Johnson Controls bought Optima back in 2000, they began making the batteries in Mexico. For the first few years, some were made in Mexico, and some were still being made in Colorado. Now, they are all being made in Mexico.

Do a google search on "Optima Battery Quality" and see what you find.

See post below yours. Mine are about 5 years old and work great. I have them tested each year to make sure all is OK or go in for warranty exchange.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

.

That's true of any Spiral cell, including the Exide/NAPA and AGM batteries like Diehard Platinum/Odyssey.

Quite true! but Optimas are easier to get and replace through outfits like Costco, Wal-Mart, etc and generally are cheaper than those you mention.

 

[CanuckMariner/Nomad]

.
That's true of any Spiral cell, including the Exide/NAPA and AGM batteries like Diehard Platinum/Odyssey.

Quite true! but Optimas are easier to get and replace through outfits like Costco, Wal-Mart, etc. and generally are cheaper than those you mention.