Optima batteries will explode into a cloud of asstasm without warning bringing the armies of teh suk down upon you. The best battery/service combo you can buy is the Sears Platinum AGM (made by Odessy). If you're afraid of spending $200 + for something good, then buy whatever is cheapest because Optima stopped being any good after the 90's ... true story.
The factory Red Top in my Jeep vomitted after 2 years and the Yellow Top I replaced it with vomitted 2 years later.
I think they were made in USA in the 90's. For quite some time they have been made in Mexico. Quality seems to have greatly suffered. I only still use them because I have battery mounts for them. Otherwise, I'd be using a high quality standard battery. I would never replace a standard battery with an Optima -- like in a car or tow rig.
I had a yellow top from the 90's last for 11 years in a Jeep. The battery was completely discharged about 1/2 dozen times through winching, sat for a couple 6 months stints without being used, and saw -45 degree F weather one winter. I sold it with the Jeep still working perfectly.
I have a red top in my buggy that is 6 years old. Never abused but sits for long times without being used. Still working perfectly.
Two years ago I bought a pair of yellow tops to use with the Painless dual battery kit. They never seemed to charge correctly and were very weak. Ran them down once and never could get them to charge again. Used a 1 amp trickle charger with a charged good battery. Still didn't work. I understand there are special chargers for the sealed cell batteries that don't require the above trick. Does anyone have experience with these special chargers?
I find it curious that when I took the batteries to be disposed of at the dump, there were several other Optimas sitting on the discard palette. With mine, that palette had 5 Optimas and about 15 other batteries.
I replaced them with a pair of red tops. One of these seems to be going bad. It only charges up to 11 something volts.
