Optima yellow top battery in their Jeep JK?

[OptimaJim]

Sam, we've installed a ton of batteries in new JKs at SEMA the past few years and I checked with our fitment engineer and he indicated he would be updating our fitment guide to reflect a 34R RedTop that should fit with one of our adaptors. Thanks for alerting us to that missing information. As others here have shown, there are a lot of other options that we consider “custom-fitment” that would also work, including YellowTops, which I would recommend for anyone using a winch or other deep-cycle accessories.

Bill is correct about our batteries being spiral-wound lead-acid AGM batteries and not gel batteries. Although I've read a lot of posts over the years from folks who confuse gel and AGM technoloy, I'm still searching for an actual photo of a gel battery in an automotive application (besides an electric golf cart).

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries

 

[Hilldweller]

Thanks, Jim.
Is there a recommended YellowTop? For those of us with winches and other amperage hogs?
I might do like Matt did and run duals... ...or maybe not since I already have dual BlueTops in the trailer...
So many decisions.

 

[Weasel with a Diesel]

The funny thing Optima does not tell you that the yellow tops do not have the claimed battery capacity.
The 55Ah Yellow tops I bought had only a capacity of 47Ah measured with a Hella battery monitor and a NASA BM1 both with the same result a missing capacity of 17%! New and charged!
That means you just have thrown 42€ of your 250€ battery out of the window...
Took them back to the dealer and it took optima one (1!) month to exchange them- is that their quality? Their care about customers?
The next one had the same problem - went to the dealer and they were kind enough to let me check them all- not a single one was up to specs.
No wonder you need two batteries to make sure you have enough capacity.

So If you want bad customer service- asked them twice with emails- but they never felt the need to excuse themself or even to answer- go with optima.

Expensive battery, with poor service and tiny capacity.
Hecho en Mexico...

Did I mention that Exide and Odyssey were happy to help out?

 

[Omar Brannstrom]

I like Optimas because:
1) take abuse
2) don't mind vibration
3) don't spill or vent
4) no maintenance
5) low internal resistance means faster recharge
6) light weight for comparable amps
7) much fewer parts, welded pieces, bits that can fail

I'd use flooded LAs in a golf cart though...

My understanding is still that Optima have no battery for 2012+ wranglers??? that easely fits.

The optima is normally at 55 ah and do not fit but oddesey is at 70 ah and fits.

 

[SamM]

I called Optima directly, on Tuesday. They said that they currently do not have a Yellow Top that will fit. My battery was returned today. The dealer had a much smaller Yellow Top that would have worked with my stock terminals. It had a lower rating and I did not feel that it would work with my plans.

My Jeep cannot be modified to fit dual batteries, due to my LifeMax warranty. Thanks for all the great information, everyone!

SamM

 

[SamM]

OptimaJim,
I plan to run a winch and would rather have a Yellow Top. I'll wait for a better solution from Optima.

Thanks!

SamM

 

[skates04]

What about the Sears platinum AGM Basically the same as the yellow is my understanding.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Omar Brannstrom]

Hi

My understanding is that people say that Oddyssey and Diehard platinum is better than Optima. As optima do not have a battery for 2012+ wrangler one could choose a direct fit ODYSSEY Extreme Series Battery PC1220 as I did.

People say that Sears platinium batteries are rebadged Odyssey batteries and at a lower cost.

Not a perfect fit but it works with Sears Diehard platinium P-5 Group 35 battery. Read here

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write...-platinum-battery-for-a-2012-jeep-jk-wrangler

Some state that a DieHard Platinum PM1 also fits

Some test here with winching and batteries

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/154-1303-battery-bashing/

 

[SamM]

Thanks Omar!

My plan is just to use a better battery in my Jeep. I have always used the Optima batteries in the past. The Jeep will get a new Warn Zeon winch. More battery capacity will be added to my trailer with a dual battery setup, located in the tongue box. The dual batteries in the trailer will be charged from the Jeep (while driving), a Solar system (while camping) and could be charged with shore power as well (when parked at home or in a campground). The dual batteries in the trailer will be tied to a Goal Zero Yeti power pack. This will give more than enough capacity, plus the capacity to jump start the Jeep, if needed.

All the extra systems, will be added to the trailer. Nothing extra is to be added to the Jeep. This keeps the Jeep clean (uncluttered) and the weight low for daily driving.

Thank! I will look into these batteries!

SamM

 

[Omar Brannstrom]

Hi

Looks like a nice projekt.

I did not buy a Sears because they dont sell them in Sweden

I posted this before, an intresting read

http://www.rocky-road.com/odyssey-battery.html

 

[Weasel with a Diesel]

I have difficulties with rebadged items.
There is no free lunch in this world- so there is a difference- even if they are tiny.
Don't get me wrong never had any problems with the Optimas-until they sourced out production to mechico.
Still have some redtops working (built in 2001).

Biggest problem I see is that batteries are still not bulletproof. Sometimes they are beaten hard and they do fail. If you don't observe your batteries and take care of them they will fail.

So make sure that you:
- discharge them only down to 80% max- if possible only 50% to get the most lifecycles out of them
- recharge them immediately after discharge, either with a proper charger or alternator
- have a battery monitor. It is essential to shut down the power drain when necessary.

AGM is a good relaible technology- if you obey the rules.


Nothing extra is added to the Jeep- just a winch and the Jeep will supply the trailer during driving.
That made my day, thank you...
I can hear a bigger alternator and some big ***** wiring.
As an info:
Ignition system consumes about 150 W
Fuel system consumes about 250 W that is a constant draw of 400W. translated into a current of 33A.
A/C fan neglected. That means a 136A Alternator drops down to 100A max. permanent delivery.
The available current dissappears quickly in an automotive application...

 

[SamM]

The Jeep comes wired that way. I'm not adding anything to do that. The stock Jeep wiring provides an extra power source to the trailer. It's not much but it will help to keep the batteries topped off. There is no expectations for the Jeep to supply the trailer power.

The Jeep came stock with an AEV winch bumper. It seems unnatural to not stick a new Zeon winch in there. After all, that was the point for going with a better battery. If, I fry an alternator, it will naturally be replaced with a better alternator but I have no plans to do that.

SamM

 

[Weasel with a Diesel]

I'm sorry, I didn't wanted to sound rude SamM

The real problem when wiring a trailer is:
-the long distance
-thin wiring
-and the connector between the trailer and pulling vehicle.
Some of the problems can be compensated with a Ctek DS250. Problem with that unit is that the charge current is limited to 10A. If you plan to carry bigger batteries thats not very helpful with adding charge.
Don't worry about the alt. If the max capable current is reached then it is reached. That's it.The batteries demand the current.
have always in mind that the factory (Jeep) goes with the cheapest or better expressed necessary battery. Yes, they do save money here.
Do you already have a yellow optima? How old is it?
Maybe it is better to get SOC and remaining ability to hold capacity tested?

 

[SamM]

That's ok, no offense taken. I was just trying to explain that the 7-pin connector already has this capability. I did have my dealer add that but it comes with the Tow Package when ordered with the Jeep. The connector that I am using is from eTrailer.com. Seems to be pretty good quality. It is 8' long and will easily make it into my battery box. I'd like to use a Goal Zero Yeti 1250 power pack and an extra deep cycle battery.

My Optima YellowTop was returned yesterday, because it does not fit my Jeep. That was the reason for this thread. I may go with the Odyssey batteries now.

SamM

 

[OptimaJim]

Bill, any battery for that application outside of the 34R would be considered a custom fitment, so it would probably be whatever YellowTop(s) would fit best. Obviously, the larger the battery, the more reserve capacity. The other significance of using larger batteries is that generally speaking, the shallower the discharge cycle, the more cycles a battery will be able to deliver and the longer it will last.

Weasel with a Diesel, I apologize for the poor service you received via e-mail and the issues you had with your batteries. That is surprising to hear, as when we see reports of independent testing of our batteries, whether it is reserve capacity or cranking amps, the results are typically higher than the stated ratings. We do still manufacture all of our own batteries in our own production facility and they are the only batteries produced there. We never re-brand or re-spec them for any of our retail partners.

I would caution anyone considering significant electrical upgrades to their vehicle to consider the big picture. The electrical system is only as strong as it's weakest link, whether that is the battery, the wiring (including ground) or charging system. Most vehicle charging systems are designed to maintain a battery near a full state of charge, not recharge a deeply-discharged battery (or two or more). Asking that task of a stock alternator can significantly shorten alternator lifespan.

Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries
www.pinterest.com/optimabatteries