Optima problems??

[robert j. yates]

I have been considering upgrading to dual Odyssey 1200s. Sounds like you like the set up and capacity. If you were do it again, would you still select two 1200 model batteries?

Absolutely. Now Odyssey has a PC1500 out that wasn't available when I installed the dual kit. I don't know if that affects your decision or not but it wouldn't have had any effect on mine as I wanted an isloated second battery on board.

FYI....I got my dual kit from Kodiak Industries.

http://www.kodiakinc.com/dual_battery.html

 

[toyrunner95]

heres an interesting coincidence. they are all toyotas! dont take that wrong im not bashing, i have one. but i think there is something wrong with the toyota charging system. i went through 7 thats right 7 60 month les schwab batteries. 6 under warrenty because i would burn through them in literally 6 months. i could almost set my watch to it. i also went through a starter every year. hmmm i thought. so i had the alternator tested. it benched fine....weird. following a hunch i replaced the stock alternator with a premier power welder 410 (i think) amp alternator. i also replaced the ground cable from the block to the battery. that solved my problems! the battery was being drained streight into the frame every time it was running and the alternator was trying to keep up! but it was also the crappy 3.0. its just a thought.

try a higher output alternator and test the ground on the battery to the frame.

so all the guys that have had no troubles with the optimas, are you runnning stock alternators?

 

[DaveInDenver]

so all the guys that have had no troubles with the optimas, are you runnning stock alternators?

Just a stock 16 year old Denso, 27060-35061. I use military connectors on the battery and just regular old 4AWG cables. Nothing particularly exotic.

 

[travel dodge]

I have had 4 or 5 optimas that over time stopped taking charges, I have alway assumed it was due to a problems in the truck but I thinking on my next build I will be looking into a diffrent battery brand options.. untill then the battery tender seems to help

 

[upcruiser]

heres an interesting coincidence. they are all toyotas! dont take that wrong im not bashing, i have one. but i think there is something wrong with the toyota charging system. i went through 7 thats right 7 60 month les schwab batteries. 6 under warrenty because i would burn through them in literally 6 months. i could almost set my watch to it. i also went through a starter every year. hmmm i thought. so i had the alternator tested. it benched fine....weird. following a hunch i replaced the stock alternator with a premier power welder 410 (i think) amp alternator. i also replaced the ground cable from the block to the battery. that solved my problems! the battery was being drained streight into the frame every time it was running and the alternator was trying to keep up! but it was also the crappy 3.0. its just a thought.

try a higher output alternator and test the ground on the battery to the frame.

so all the guys that have had no troubles with the optimas, are you runnning stock alternators?

Well, I had gone through 3 OEM alternators with my 80 series and killed 3 batteries if I recall correctly. I was getting really irritated. Even after putting in a fresh altenator, the charge was really weak, even at idle. I swapped in a Mean Green 140 amp altenator and its been great. Even at idle with a ton of accesories and lights running, everything is bright and the charge is high. I'm planning on replacing my battery cables this spring for preventative upkeep, plus I suspect that it may be related to another electrical gremlin I'm having.

 

[MaddBaggins]

so all the guys that have had no troubles with the optimas, are you runnning stock alternators?

Stock setup here. I do plan on upgrading to a higher amp alt and new +/- cables and connectors...someday.

 

[Schattenjager]

Odyssey 2150 - you wont be sorry.

http://www.odysseysoutheast.com/pc2150-battery.php

Buy the best and only whine once!

 

[DaveInDenver]

Odyssey 2150

Can this be used for starting? Looks like it's got 3/8" studs instead of regular SAE terminals.

 

[Schattenjager]

Bolted right in -

 

[DaveInDenver]

Bolted right in -

Cool, looks like you have some sort of 3/8"->SAE terminal adapters. I was just wondering if being a marine type battery if using it as a primary starting battery was kosher or not? Just that some deep cycle batteries don't like repeated use as a starting battery.

 

[ntsqd]

Odyssey 2150 - you wont be sorry.

http://www.odysseysoutheast.com/pc2150-battery.php

Buy the best and only whine once!

Funny how that is EXACTLY what used to be said about Optima's.

 

[Schattenjager]

Cool, looks like you have some sort of 3/8"->SAE terminal adapters. I was just wondering if being a marine type battery if using it as a primary starting battery was kosher or not? Just that some deep cycle batteries don't like repeated use as a starting battery.

No adaptors on the truck - that is the way I bought the battery - just unbolted the stock battery and dropped this one in. Check the spec - it's a GREAT starting battery.

Funny how that is EXACTLY what used to be said about Optima's.

That was never said by me. :costumed-smiley-007

I have had Optimas in the past but other than the fact they started the car when I needed, never really noticed anything exceptional about them. Nothing bad to report about them.

 

[Bighead]

I'm running the Odyssey 1700MJT in the Land Cruiser and still have my 4+ year old Optima 34R in the 4Runner. I'll be swapping the Optima for an Odyssey within the next year.

 

[Clark White]

I have never had charging problems with my Optima's (on my second). I started with a red top, bout a year after I got it, the + terminal broke inside the battery. Got a yellow top about 5mo ago, drained it a couple times due to a hidden draw (took a few times to find it), but it still works great. I did have troubles with my stock Yota alternator thought. Benched just fine, but it was putting out 250amps :smileeek: (not sure how it could bench just fine, maby the Auto Zone guy who tested it is on crack?)

 

[DaveInDenver]

Something that occurred to me. People who have had Optima failures, which terminals were you using? I mean as in top ones or the side ones? I've read something about side terminals failing when used as the connection to the starter. I dunno if that is first of all true and second whether or not they are provided for connection to the starter in the first place or as a place to connect accessories.