Optima batteries [Merged 10-6]

[logic]

Hi,

I've been doing a little battery research. I've settled on Optima, based on comments I've seen regarding them and the fact that they're a sealed setup. I'm now looking at the various versions of batteries that they produce, and I've noticed very little difference (from reading over their techinical specifications) between their various "colors" (red for engine use, blue for marine, yellow for deep cycle applications). For reference, here are links to the specs they publish for each major type of battery:

The "Red Top 34" engine starter battery:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/pdf/34.pdf

The "Blue Top 34" dual-terminal marine starter battery:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/pdf/34M.pdf

The "Yellow Top 34" dual-terminal deep cycle battery:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/pdf/D34.pdf

My question, then, is simple: what's the difference, besides packaging? The marine battery literature makes claims about not discharging as much over time and recharging faster, but that would seem to be about it between the red and blue (the yellow has a few obvious differences, such as resistance and power output). Am I misreading, or is there really very little real-world difference?

For the curious: the reason I'm asking is because I'd like to be able to run the blue-top to match the rest of the underhood setup (along with any advantages that might come from the discharging characteristics; it sounds like the perfect setup for a car that's stored over winter, for example). That's the kind of eraser-head riceboi I am.

(I was a little unsure of whether to post this in the Basic/Newbie forum, or in the 2.0 Turbo Performance forum. Mods, please feel free to move if you think this is too basic.)

 

[dookie]

anybody use a blue top instead of a yellow top for their 2g, just wondering if the d34m will fit? Thanks.

 

[Slappster]

That battery is meant for boats. Major overkill for any car.

 

[Beef Jerky]

Yeah, that's a marine battery. The optima battery meant for normal automotive use is the red top. The yellow is considered a standalone battery.

 

[dookie]

I was told the blue or yellow was better than the red top if you have a high powered stereo, and the only diff between the yellow and blue tops were the extra posts on the blue, anyways thanks for the replys just wondering what to go with, need some reliable juice for the amp.

 

[Beef Jerky]

Actually batteries don't make a difference in the world with your stereo unless you plan on playing it with your car not running (off). Your car's electrical system primarily pulls from the alternator once your car is on. If you're looking for more juice for your amps, then you need to look into a high-output alternator and possibly upgrading your factory wiring to a thicker gauge.

No offense, but whoever told you that stuff doesn't know what the heck they're talking about...

 

[Creed32]

actually you would think a battery doesnt make a difference but it does. i actually am using optima red top battery. i wanted the blue top as well but i sadly found out it was a deep cycle battery. so do want you want, but no good for a car.

 

[Slappster]

Just get the red top. Even the yellow is more than needed. And you won't hear any difference on a stereo unless your current battery just doesn't work.
While your at it you can move the battery to the trunk. Unless your fwd then keep it where its at.

 

[RipperXX]

You need a biger alt to put out the power yes, but you also need a battery campible of storing the extra engergy. You need to do both upgreads at the same time.


But thats just my logic.

 

[97GS-TSpyder]

y need to rn what you have up front...wired to another battery n the back with a good Cap and you should be fine man

 

[ice4life8269]

Originally posted by Beef Jerky
Actually batteries don't make a difference in the world with your stereo unless you plan on playing it with your car not running (off). Your car's electrical system primarily pulls from the alternator once your car is on. If you're looking for more juice for your amps, then you need to look into a high-output alternator and possibly upgrading your factory wiring to a thicker gauge.

No offense, but whoever told you that stuff doesn't know what the heck they're talking about...

Beef, you're an ALL-AROUND kinda guy too. . Rip is right too. a alternator with a higher output could over-charch a regular battery. so you do need to upgrade both. I'd go with the yellow top though. It looks better IMO

 

[Beef Jerky]

Originally posted by ice4life8269


Beef, you're an ALL-AROUND kinda guy too. .

I try....



Did you ever get that CAI set up?

 

[Dragonsys]

Originally posted by Creed32
i wanted the blue top as well but i sadly found out it was a deep cycle battery. so do want you want, but no good for a car

ummm.. All Optimas are Deep Cycle Batteries

What does deep cycle mean?
Deep cycle means using the battery in an application that will typically discharge 60% to 70% or more of the batter y capacity. An automotive battery is an SLI (starting, lighting, ignition) battery. It's plates are designed to deliver maximum power for a short duration. Starting a car typically discharges an SLI battery only 1% to 3%. When an SLI battery is used in a deep cycle application, or in a vehicle with heavy accessory loads, the battery life will be shortened proportionally to how deeply it is cycled on a regular basis.

When should I consider a deep cycle?
Any time you need the battery to supply all the operating power for a vehicle or other device. Additionally, deep cycle batteries should be used in vehicles that have heavy accessory loads where the alternator cannot maintain the battery in a fully charged condition.

 

[ECLIPSE4x4]

moved to general tech

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by ice4life8269

a alternator with a higher output could over-charch a regular battery.

Bah, that's what the regulator prevents.

 

[Fryguy]

Well my battery died, and since I have a high-wattage sound system, I'm going to get an Optima deep cycle battery to replace it under the hood (better than redtop under the hood for constant high current draw). I've checked around though and it seems like there are 3 sizes available. Which one can/should I get for maximum amperage without having to do customized mounting?

 

[dookie]

the 34 series fit in my 95 gst, just had to cut the ends of the plastic tray.

 

[doug]

If you're that concerned about running your sound system when the car's off, get the yellow top IN ADDITION to a regular cranking battery and put the yellow top in the back somewhere. If you don't run the stereo with the car off too much, there's no need for a yellow top anyway- just get the red, and maybe a high-output alternator.

 

[Fryguy]

I actually don't play music with my car off at all, I just want a battery that can take the abuse of being discharged and charged quite a bit and not lose full potential. A yellow top does this for me.

I just went out to autozone and bought one today. I got the one that is just a lil bigger than normal, and dropped it in. Works great.

 

[doug]

My understanding of deep-cycle batteries is that if you don't discharge them "deep" enough often, they lose their effectiveness. That's why regular starting batteries (such as the red top) are of different design. I wish you the best with yours, but I would not choose a deep cycle battery as my main car battery.

http://uuhome.de/william.darden/dcfaq4.htm:
Car (Starting) batteries are especially designed for high initial cranking amps (usually 200 to 400 amps for a few seconds) to start a car and for shallow (3% or less) discharges. They are not designed for deep cycle discharges. Deep cycle batteries are designed for prolonged discharges at lower current and not for high current discharges. The plates in a car battery are more porous and thinner (.04") than in deep cycle batteries (.07" to .265"). They use sponge or expanded metal grids instead of solid lead. Deep cycle batteries are used for applications that will consume between 20% and 80% of the battery's capacity before the battery is recharged.

 

[Jason84]

well im mounting my battery in my trunk. and im going to run an optima battery. which kind should i get?

also any idea what size fuse i should use for it ? (to run the wire up to the front)

 

[jdmawd]

Originally posted by Jason84
well im mounting my battery in my trunk. and im going to run an optima battery. which kind should i get?

also any idea what size fuse i should use for it ? (to run the wire up to the front)

i did mine like this

 

[Jason84]

where did you get that fuse and what did it cost ?

im running welder cable same as 4 gauge tad bigger but way more flexible.

also the negative side you just ground to the chassis correct ?

 

[jdmawd]

you can get the breaker from any car audio place and you can ground the negative cable to the frame or strut tower.

 

[Jason84]

ok thanks. going there in an hour so they probably have one i hope..

my dads old highschool friend owns the local shop here in town. hes a cool guy and has a kick ass porsche 911 TT hes got like 200gs in the dang thing..

 

[sophat34]

you should fuse it in the front as well, or put a circut breaker up front. I cant remember why but there was some reason. optimas are built for diffrent purposes. blue tops are marine batterys, reds are for autos, and yellows are for autos with accesorys there deep cycles. least thats what the ad says