Optima Yellow Top

[trevanator]

Hey guys quick question about the deep cycle optima yellow top batteries. I plan on getting one probably tonight but my question is I have a few to choose from so which one should I get. Other than size and cranking and cold cranking amps is there really a difference?

 

[Fidget360]

I think the only difference between them is dimensions.

They're great batteries, but they changed manufacturers a few years back, so they're not as good as they used to be. I had a customer a while back who was running his same one for 10 years and still had no problems. The new ones aren't as good, but they're still great.
Now the Odessy (sp?) gell cell batteries are made by teh same ppl that made the optimas back in the day.

just some food for thought.

 

[trevanator]

Hmm I will I will check into those but since I kinda need a battery tonight or within this weekend so I am thinking the optima plus are they completely sealed batteries? thats something I like about them

 

[StealthXJ]

<SNIP>
Now the Odessy (sp?) gell cell batteries are made by teh same ppl that made the optimas back in the day.

<SNIP>

That's not true.
Hawker makes the Odyssey batteries and never have made the Optima.
Optima and Odyssey are a LOT different.
Optima isn't in the same league at all as the Odyssey battery.


Fred

 

[StealthXJ]

<SNIP> optima plus are they completely sealed batteries? thats something I like about them

No, that's false.
The Optima's will outgas and they suffer evaporative loss.
The Odyssey batteries don't outgas (unless massively overcharged and then only slightly) and the don't suffer evaporative loss.
Hawker (who makes the Odyssey) makes SLA (sealed lead acid) batteries for air planes and are second to none.

The Odyssey batteries can be, safely, mounted inside the vehicle. The Optima's can't (outgassing).

BTW, the Sears Platinum is a Odyssey battery.



Fred

 

[trevanator]

So the optimas are not sealed batteries? Thats what Ive thought from the beginning. What about the people that have them mounted sideways upside down etc that I have seen? I am just curious now. I think I still plan on buying an optima because of all the good things I have heard but these odyssey batteries are ones I have never heard of

 

[casm]

Allow me to make a suggestion: use a red top instead unless you're doing something that requires the deep-cycle capability of the yellow top (i.e., winching).

I've run both at different times, and have to say that unless you're putting severe and/or extended draw on your battery there's no advantage to the yellow top. In my case, we were running mainly radio gear at the campsite for long periods of time, so it made sense - but once that was no longer happening (and the yellow top finally croaked), just running a red top made a lot more sense.

In either case, I'd strongly recommend getting one with the highest CCA rating that will physically fit and upgrading both the mains and grounds to something beefier, especially if you're doing high-demand stuff - the stock wiring really leaves a lot to be desired in that regard.

 

[StealthXJ]

So the optimas are not sealed batteries? Thats what Ive thought from the beginning. What about the people that have them mounted sideways upside down etc that I have seen? I am just curious now. I think I still plan on buying an optima because of all the good things I have heard but these odyssey batteries are ones I have never heard of

Well, they're "sealed" in the sense that they don't contain liquid, however, as I mentioned, they outgas and suffer evaporative loss.

It's rare, out here in AZ, to hear anything good about the Optima's. Most of the time they last right about 2 years (a few people here have had good luck with them) and when they die, they die like the typical "car" battery.
That is, starts fine to go to work. Leave for lunch and totally dead.

The Odyssey's (Sears Platinum's are the same) have been around for the long, long time. Don't know why you haven't heard of them.
They're MUCH better than the Optima's and they don't die (suddenly) like the Optima's do.



Fred

 

[trevanator]

@casm I have thought about getting a red top instead but with the lights I have and the future winch planned I thought why not go for the yellow top but I will check into the red tops as well from your suggestion because the winch is down the line some time and the lights probably wont pull very much and will be mostly on only when the jeep is on so thanks for the thought

@ stealth xj okay I gotcha on the sealed now i understand what you mean. I will take a look at the sears platinums and see what they have to offer as well it may be worth waiting to get one and use my vatozone gift cards for other things

Thanks guys and have a happy new year