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.)

 

[Twizzle]

I recently ran into a problem while i was about to install my GM MAF Blow thru setup..... its too big to squeeze between this huge battery. since i heard battery relocation screws with starting quickness, i want to know if the Optima batteries are significantly smaller than a stock sized battery because if it is, i dont have to relocate and i can still fit my blowthru setup...hopefully.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

No opitma's are not that much(if at all) smaller than a stock battery.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

Heres the dimensions for a yellow top (red top is similar)

9 5/16 x 5 1/6 x 8 15/16

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

Here are a red top's dimensions.

10x6.8x7.8

 

[Twizzle]

yeh, def. not gonna work. ill relocate and get a yellow top anyway!

 

[stangtt]

If you use sufficient size cable (2 or 0 guage) you wont have any issues starting.
Also if you are running a sound system, the Blue top has extra posts. Very nice for powering up extra componets. Its the marine version of the Yellow top.

 

[jimmybosox]

Anyone know for sure what model # will fit and work properly in the stock location on my 97 TSi AWD?

The Optima website says there are no matches for this vehicle.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DevilSperm]

not that it answers your ?'s but i have a red top in my 1g and a yellow top in my 2g...both fit fine with a tiny bit of bending of the battery hold down

**edit** i should add that my 2g is n/t

 

[UrMyStlkAl]

hmm, my red top fits perfect in my car. I'll go outside later and check for a model number

 

[AWDtsimang]

any more info? i'm also looking to purchase a new battery. thanks

edit: looks to be pt# D34/78 from the www.optimabatteries.com website

 

[Crazyjoker777]

just wondering if any1 that has a optima yellow top in their 2g turbo eclipse which yellow top you used cause there are different sizes. I want it to fit without me having to do to much (preferably none) so if any1 could get me a model number it would be great and worth a rep point.

 

[EvolvingGST]

just a thought, optima only makes like 3 different sizes, its the one in the middle. The small one is for like roadsters and the big one is for trucks. So that leaves only one for you. BTW, why do you want a yellow top? The only reason you want a yellow top opposed to a red top is if you are running a stereo system. Since it is a deep cycle battery, so that means besides that the red top is far superior in every other way.

 

[CrazyClipse]

I got an Optima a few years ago and it died 3 times within 1 year.

Back last summer when I had my car painted, the body shop did a rapid charge on it since it had died from the doors and hatch constantly open and off. Rapid charhing it fried the coils. The newer ones I've heard have a WARNING label on them not to rapid charge them so... just an FYI so your not out of $150 for a fuggen BATTERY like I was. oorme:

 

[Crazyjoker777]

well i believe a yellow top is better suited for me i tend to use alot of power
1500watt amp
2 - 400 watt amps
underglow
8 interior neons
3 tvs
400 watt power inverter
playstation
3 strobes

i do have a upgraded alt and it handles my stereo fine (no dimming or voltage drop) but i would like to leave my underglow on while im parked so i believe the yellow top would better suit me but feel free to prove me wrong

 

[doug]

I have an Optima blue top in my car (same as yellow but with an extra set of terminals). It is a tad large for the battery tray, but otherwise it works great. The Optima web site says that even though it's a deep cycle, it'll be fine as your primary starting battery as well. I went with the Group D34/78, which is the largest one (10" long), but any of the others will be fine as well. I suggest using maybe a Group 75/25-- it has 650 CCAs (vs. 750 for the D34/78) but is slightly shorter, so it should fit into the battery tray better than mine.

 

[tighty]

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if this battery will fit and work correctly in my 97 GST?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31284&item=4546686209&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

My old battery works...but it looks leaky and the positive terminal is constantly corroded. I am running a pretty big sub amp and 2 12's, and another amp to power my components so my dad thought that maybe I was overcharging the battery which was causing it to leak. Might as well change it anyway since its crappy and old and been there since I bought my car a few years ago...so I wanted to buy the best quality I can...and I like the blue tops cause they have the extra terminals and they're blue..

So will it fit correctly and not fug anything up?

Thanks.

 

[buscodsm]

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the blue top optimas are for marine use. However if I am wrong if it does not fit all you would have to do is relocate the battery to the trunk.

 

[tighty]

They are supposed to be for marine use but I have seen many people on here using them. I already have a ton of stuff in the trunk (sub box + amps + bleh) so there is not much room to relocate it back there and I really don't want to run wire all the way back again. If it fits, or there is one that will fit, I'd rather put it in the engine bay.

Thanks for the response.

 

[GPTourer]

I think a yellow top would be a better choice. But I had no problem getting a red top into my GS-T. I think they are the same size. In my old car I had two amps and two fifteens and then later three tens (instead of the 15's) on a yellow top with a 1 farad cap. IT worked great. Kept me from burning out my alternators which had been a problem before.

 

[sjwelna]

If you want one for use with a big powered stereo, look into getting a yellow top, they are specifically designed for that use. The blue tops are for marine use as was stated above. I ran a yellow top in my car for over a year with no problems whatsoever, fits fine on the battery tray.

-Steve

 

[tighty]

So what would be the down sides to using a blue top though?

 

[98autogstspyder]

this battery does fit. a member in the south florida dsm uses it. his name is " doug " on these boards. check out his profile and look at the pictures. its been done

 

[GPTourer]

So what would be the down sides to using a blue top though?

I'm not sure. I would compare the cold cranking amps of each one, versus the fact that yellows are better at recovering when run down from heavy accesories. Marine batteries probably are based on the same principle, but are designed for boats. Reds have more starting power. Why pay extra (I realize you are buying it used) for something designed to survive in salty conditions on a boat when that concession might compromise maximum performance for automotive use?

 

[Turbo Talon DL]

Just because it was intended for marine use only means that its overkill for a car, which is good. If it can last out on the water, it will certainly last in a car. Believe me, i've seen vehicles that live out in the water, i was in the Navy. Running 2awg wire to the back of the car is not hard at all. Installing the circuit breaker for the wire is not hard. Building a box is not hard. The charging requirements are ok, 13.8 minimum for this battery. Its not for deep cycle, so dont kill it by running the stereo with car off. I have an Optima Yellowtop for a Honda Civic. Its in my trunk. The car has sat for almost 3 months and still has a good charge.

 

[tighty]

Just because it was intended for marine use only means that its overkill for a car, which is good. If it can last out on the water, it will certainly last in a car. Believe me, i've seen vehicles that live out in the water, i was in the Navy. Running 2awg wire to the back of the car is not hard at all. Installing the circuit breaker for the wire is not hard. Building a box is not hard. The charging requirements are ok, 13.8 minimum for this battery. Its not for deep cycle, so dont kill it by running the stereo with car off. I have an Optima Yellowtop for a Honda Civic. Its in my trunk. The car has sat for almost 3 months and still has a good charge.

So what your saying...is that it won't hurt to use it...but I will have to relocate to the rear of the car...because it won't fit under the hood?