Current battery in the TJ finally gave up the ghost? Time for an Optima?

[TJustin]

My Duralast Gold that came with the Jeep has finally given up the ghost. It has effectively corroded the battery cables, and now I'm looking to get a new sealed unit. I've read on the interweb that Optima's quality has declined... Anyone care to comment?

 

[lewis]

I went with the odyssey., It is actually a rebadged odyssey from sears as there die hard platinum. Optima warranty is only 2 years and its done. The die hard lasts 8 years I think which some of it it is prorated at the end but is still better than nothing. Also it is supposed to be designed better for sitting long periods of time and slowly drained without hurting the battery. Liked mine so far.

 

[gertsch]

I'm running a red top optima and it works great! It's never let me down yet and it's over three years old and has supported my winch just fine.

 

[N8RB8R]

FWIW, I bought a brand new Optima red top 3 months ago and stuck it on the garage shelf, went to use it just the other day and it was dead. This one was to replace the last one that only lasted a year in my jeep that rarely ever was started or driven just sat. I would go with the odyssey, everyone seems to be switching to that one with great results.

 

[Badger]

From what I was told recently.....They are now made in Mexico, well for the last 4 years or so. After the move the quality started going down hill.

 

[Kevin B.]

I'm another thats had great service from my redtop, but when it's time to replace it I'll be going with an Odyssey. Buy local, man, and in the US is localier than Mexico.

 

[Stephen]

I bought a used Red Top and have run it now for two and a half years no problem. I think it was a couple years old when I bought it too. That said, I have heard great things about the Die Hard Platinums, so I will likely go that route the next time I need a battery.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I bought my last battery directly from Interstate as a tested used unit for $34, been great for about 3 months now and starts right up even if the Jeep sits for a week or two. I discussed Optimas with their manager and he said they are no longer a good value.

 

[thenag]

I am one of those that has had great luck with optima's. I have had a total of 4 of them and only had one issue, that I don't think is the battery's fault. I love them because they don't corrode cables etc.

In the jeep I am stuck with them, unless I go back to a single battery, due to space of cramming 2 batteries under the hood with a york.

The pair I have in the jeep i had in the bronco, probably got them about 7 years ago. I have run them in parallel with no isolator, people have trail welded off of them a few times, I have run them as a single battery a few times.

In moab the one mounted on it's side leaked, I am pretty sure it over heated and some hood vents will take care of that problem.

The one in my super duty was purchased in December of 07 and is identical to the ones in the jeep and says "made in USA"

It seems your best bet is the Diehard Platinum though...

nathan
99 xj with stuff

 

[Gravy]

can't really go wrong with a gel or dry cell battery it seems.

I wouldn't run a normal wet cell in something that I wheel, they even suck in my dune buggy.

 

[Dominic]

I got sick of crappy optimas. Could have just been my luck but I have been running the diehard palt. (rebadged oddessy) for 3 years now. I love it I will buy another one if this one ever dies.

 

[Herzog]

I'm dreading the day my Yellow Top goes bad because of the all bad stories about the new ones. Picked it up in 2002 and still rockin. I'll probably go odyssey next.

 

[RockMonkey]

Can the odyssey batteries be mounted in any position (upside-down, sideways, etc.) like an Optima? I've been happy with Optimas, FWIW.

 

[Stephen]

Can the odyssey batteries be mounted in any position (upside-down, sideways, etc.) like an Optima?

Yes.

 

[Bart]

If you have a Batteries Plus close by, check them out. They have a gel cell battery that compares to the Optima and they have a higher grade that is made by the original engineer from Odyssey. At least that's the sales pitch I got. I got the lower priced one and it's great so far.