I'm thinking about an getting an optima yellowtop for my cj/yj project but have seen controversy about quality. I want a sealed battery with lots of cca and that will have no problem running lights, stereo, or a winch. What are people using on here? And where is the best/cheapest place to buy. I know it used to be Costco but it looks like they no longer carry optima.
Battery opinions
- Thread starter BEAR
- Start date
- Location
- Stinkwater
The Sears Platinum is supposed to be a rebadged Odyssey. Low Range just started selling a Deka which is another AGM style. I've been running a Red Top for four years and abused it once or twice, and I think it's starting to go. I don't know if I'll be sticking with Optima or not.
jeepin4x4james
WAAAAA
- Location
- Bluffdale, UT
Sears platinum > Optima
Spendy, I believe I paid $220.... But the reliability and longevity over the Optima is worth it.
JP had an article where they abused/compared batteries.... Was it this month?... I don't remember
Spendy, I believe I paid $220.... But the reliability and longevity over the Optima is worth it.
JP had an article where they abused/compared batteries.... Was it this month?... I don't remember
Rogerwh0
Member
- Location
- Vernal Utah
I am running a yellow top and have loved it. It has been used lots of times for winching, it never has let me down. The truck sits 90% of the time, always starts the truck even after months of sitting. I just bought 2 of them from 4 wheel parts, $260 each deliverd to my door. Exide makes a sealed gel cell you can get at IFA. I bought one 2 years ago for $160 it has worked flawlessly also, however I did have to get it warrantied, it got slow to crank after about a year. IFA handed me a new Exide no qustions asked. It had IFA's sticker on it but I had no receipt. I was very happy to have a new battery with no betterment charge.
Jinx
when in doubt, upgrade!
- Location
- So Jordan, Utah
2 red tops in the CTD
1 yellow in the scrambler.
Seem to take the abuse.
Both sit most of the year.
(I need to play more)
1 yellow in the scrambler.
Seem to take the abuse.
Both sit most of the year.
(I need to play more)
JL Rockies
Binders Fulla Expo
- Location
- Draper
Optima batts will explode into a cloud of asstasm without notice
Sears Platinum is the best battery investment at this time.
Sears Platinum is the best battery investment at this time.
RockChucker
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Highland
I have been running a Yellowtop for about a year. I have to charge it every six weeks or it dies. I don't have any current draw either. I won't be getting another optima. time to go to something else.
kellerexpress
Active Member
- Location
- Spanish Fork
X2 on sears platinum
This is what I'm talking about. I wonder what changed in them? My 11 year old battery rocks, but the new ones suck.
TurboMinivan
Still plays with cars
- Location
- Lehi, UT
This is what I'm talking about. I wonder what changed in them? My 11 year old battery rocks, but the new ones suck.
Optima's quality (and thus reputation) has taken a major nose dive since they were purchased by Johnson Controls, who moved their manufacturing to Mexico.
As has been said, the Diehard Platinum (a rebadged Odyssey) is the cat's meow as far as current batteries are concerned. If you're curious, it comes with a no questions asked non-prorated 48-month full replacement and 100-month prorated warranty, better than any other battery warranty out there.
This is what I'm talking about. I wonder what changed in them? My 11 year old battery rocks, but the new ones suck.
Shane, you welded off my optima's years ago and I am still running them in the xj, the label says "made in USA, Colorado"
I know I got those before I moved to SL and I moved to SL in 2005, so they are at least 8 years old.
Sucks because I can't fit two anything eleses under the hood of the xj, guess I will have to go back to one battery.
Nathan
jeep-N-montero
Formerly black_ZJ
- Location
- Bountiful
I run tested used Yellow tops in both of my Jeeps and they will sit for a month at a time or longer and have started without a hiccup every time I turn the key even in the winter. Some folks "kill" their Optima prematurely due to having a weak alternator that can't keep up with recharging them, then they bring the battery in thinking it's dead when it just needs to be PROPERLY charged, and the same people will slowly kill(discharge) a new battery and start the cycle over again. These Optimas end up getting a proper charge and load tested before they are sold again at great savings, these are what I am running and love them.
brandonlmb
brandonlmb
- Location
- Farmington
I have gone through 2 yellow tops in the past couple of years, I would look into another brand. I have also been told the sears battery is the way to go.
Maverick
old-school
- Location
- Anywhere, thanks to my geeky droid
Not impressed with my yellow top, purchased maybe 5 years ago? Especially listening to the stereo for a while with the battery off. Or after letting it sit for a couple of weeks. Constantly recharging it.
Seems like when I was a stinky teenager I could listen to the stereo blasting in my bronco for hours, then start it up and drive home.
Brett (had a red top that I finally killed after 12 years or so)
Seems like when I was a stinky teenager I could listen to the stereo blasting in my bronco for hours, then start it up and drive home.
Brett (had a red top that I finally killed after 12 years or so)
Hardcastle
Active Member
- Location
- Mantua, UT
I had a red top optima in my 4runner for the entire 5 years I owned it. It survived rollovers and stupid loud stereos and never failed me. I sold it with the truck. My FJ40 had a blue top in it when I bought it. I've been driving that around for 4 years without any battery issues. Based on my experience when the time comes I'll go for an optima. I'll make sure I buy it from a local supplier who will stand behind the warranty just in case.