Thread: Optima Batteries

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I recently replaced an Optima that lasted over 5 years, now I need a battery for my latest project. I want to use an Optima but the local parts store manager said they've been having a lot of warranty issues with them.

Anyone had any quality issues with Optima batteries produced in the last year or so?

Is there another battery out there that's as good as an Optima?

I think Odessy batteries are a better choice, but you've had outstanding service from your Optima. JMO

Mike

How do these new batteries hold together under vibration, abuse on hard launches, etc.???

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

How do these new batteries hold together under vibration, abuse on hard launches, etc.???

Can't say from experience Dave, but what I understand from Nathan at XSPower is that their AGM batteries, as well as the newer line of lithium cells are made for racing applications. When I talked to him last about two years back the lithium cells along with their special charger were quite expensive, like in the $2000+ range. You might give Nathan a call - 888 497-7693

Originally Posted by rspears

Can't say from experience Dave, but what I understand from Nathan at XSPower is that their AGM batteries, as well as the newer line of lithium cells are made for racing applications. When I talked to him last about two years back the lithium cells along with their special charger were quite expensive, like in the $2000+ range. You might give Nathan a call - 888 497-7693

I've looked at them, ads all say they're bulletproof---even has one that is the dual voltage (16v and 12v) complete with charger, but yeah, about $2k---wondering if the street units can take the pounding of occasional track time?

I bought into all the hype of Optimas, to only get 5 years from it, to me, is a huge let down. Any Interstate I've had has gone that easily and didn't need special chargers and yes, I'm on my second as it was a direct replacement when the first one failed in 12 months. When this one gets tired I'm probably going back with Interstate as the vendor here won't cover Optimas anymore as he had way to many warranty issues and had to "eat" a few to many to keep the customers happy.

That's been my experience FWIW...

I started using Optima batteries about 10 years ago because they don't gas out when charging like a regular lead acid battery (I had a couple car with the batteries located in the far rear corner of the engine compartment and the fumes tended to eat the under hood paint and battery tray and inner fender,

The first battery I got lasted about 8 years and I was really happy with it. I've bought several since then and have had three go belly up within the first year. The new Optimas seem to either be bad and die quickly or "good" and only last 4-5 years now.

The 100% free replacement (because of the age) doesn't really do you a lot of good when the car doesn't start in a small town that doesn't have an Optima dealer and you're 400 miles away from home........ask me how I know.

I'm told that the reason for the poorer performace is the lower quality of lead they are now using.

I'll still use the Optimas on certain cars that I'm concerned about the battery trays and surrounding areas being eaten up acid on because I don't know of a better alternative, but I don;t recommend them like I used to,

Originally Posted by jayd

I recently replaced an Optima that lasted over 5 years, now I need a battery for my latest project. I want to use an Optima but the local parts store manager said they've been having a lot of warranty issues with them.

Anyone had any quality issues with Optima batteries produced in the last year or so?

Is there another battery out there that's as good as an Optima?

I had one in my 39 Pontiac but it didn't want to stay charged last spring. I had to replace it at my expense as we had moved and I had lost the receipt for it. It was only 2 years old.
I went back to a lead acid at half the cost.

i still use them but switched to the yellow top marine batteries . the red tops had several years of problems. but if you get 5 years out of a battery you have used it up. i've seen them go way longer but i dont push it with things like batteries .

I've got 8 years on my Optima, never a problem, always cranks whatever it takes on a car that occasionally sits for a while. Best battery I ever had.

wow i've never heard about all the problems w/ the newer optimas. good thing, i was just about to put one in my truck...

Optima was bought by johnson controls a few years ago . JCI took the features that made the optima a good battery out for cost saving [ famous last words for good products] then were or did sell name to somebody else not sure who. JCI is biggest battery maker around. They are, like a lot of companys, tryng to made parts last just to warranty time limit .Thats just the way its done .I don,t like it but what you goin do? later Wrechbender

From the JCI web site:
"The wound cell technology of OPTIMA® Batteries was first used in 1969 for the US space programme to power the Lunar Rover. In 1972 this technology was bought by Gates Rubber, and in 1983 the firm began to develop it for automotive applications. The Gylling Group of Scandinavia bought OPTIMA® in 1994, opening a factory a year later in Colorado. In 2000 OPTIMA® was acquired by Johnson Controls. In 2007 JCI laid the foundation stone for a new production site in Monterrey, Mexico, enabling it to keep pace with global demand." Guess when the quality toilet flushed?

A friend who does battery chemistry says that lead purity is everything....the USA sends batteries to China because their lead is crap.....sounds like Autoloc could be in the Chinese battery business......

Sounds like my decision to go to the little Odyssey/AGM PC680 was timed right as my Optima is about 7 years old though only in use 4-5 years. It's probably at the end of it's life, though it is sitting on my work bench with a charger on it after testing fine after its 'last start'. From what I've gleaned, once you kill the Optima's charge, it can be a bear to bring it back to life, though it is possible according to one article I've come across.

What I like about the Odyssey as well as the XS Power 680 size, it's a bit less then 1/3rd the size of the Optima Red Top 24 which opens up lots more space for me in my trunk plus has given me an incentive to clean up some less then great looking wiring - yeah, I know! I was gonna move it out of the trunk, but after making up a box, and starting the new wiring runs, just wasn't happy with the location next to the gas tank.

Optima batterys were good when they first came out. No one I know will touch a red top right now, way too many failures within short periods. My advice is stay away, I have replaced 5 of them in my personal cars. Discharging one seems to make them go quicker. Used to be a fan, not anymore, junk is junk.