Ok..this has been beat to death but I still havent got an answer. I have a problem on my truck. I just run it without the engine on for like 10 minutes and my battery dies and I cant restart it due to my alarm.
I am looking at a Yellowtop Optima but someone on here said it has a slow recharge rate, and if you dont drive a lot everyday it will crap out. I drive about 15 minutes to work and back everyday at the least. Will this be enough time to recharge it? And what size Optima Battery do I need for my truck?
One more thing...I mentioned that my alarm wont let me start my truck when my battery dies. I have to disconnect the ground wire from my alarm, and then jump my truck to start it. Anyone else have this problem, and what could be the solution?
Please help me out on this one...I need a new battery A.S.A.P and any help would be awesome. Thanks guys.

 

I don't think I have ever read one negative comment on an Optima.. Whenever my battery craps out, Im getting an Optima.. Most likely Red Top.

 

I hear really good things about kenetic batterys, search around and read some reviews... I hear theyre like having 50 1 fared caps and last for along time... I just bought a yellow top, would have spend that money on a kenetic if i had it to do over again...

 

I agree. I have one in my truck now that is on its third truck in three years. It started out in my first '04 for 8 months and 15k miles. Then I traded it and switched it to the second '04 for 6 mos and 12k miles. Now its been in my '05 for 2 years and 27k miles. Its the red top and I love it!

 

How long would the Redtop last without the engine running while powering a in dash DVD, amp, subs and doorspeakers?

 

Thats a pretty good load for a battery to pull for a long period. My truck has the Audiophile setup and I've let the stereo play for 5-6 hrs at a time while waxing the truck etc. Its always started right up when I'm ready. You're getting into whats called "reserve capacity" with that load. A batteries reserve cap is how long it will handle a 30-50 amp(I believe) load for a time period. Most good batteries will pull that kind of load for 2 hrs max. I would try to figure what amp draw you have and find the highest reserve capacity battery you can. Personally I think you will be fine with the Optima Red Top.

 

Absolutly not true.


I cant attest to a red top in that situation but with my yellow top I have played mine for 3 or 4 hours without a problem...the factory battery would last 15-20 min at most.

I do have a red top in my Formula (hey it matched the car!) and I can honestly say I have played the radio (no amps or anything) for maybe 6-8 hours over several days while changing the rear end out and it still cranked fine.

 

ya i have a yelllow top in my 67 cuda and it cranks that 440 over even after i listen to the radio for 4 to 5 hours, i cant listen to the radio in my truck for 20 min. without almost having to get the jumpbox to start it. i will be getting a red top for my truck here soon!

 

Also if anyone is looking for a Optima you may try looking at an Interstate Battery store (or distribution center...what ever you call it). At least here Interstate Battery distributes Optimas and they sell blemished units out of their distribution centers. I bought my Red Top from there for either $40 or $50...then my uncle went back abou 3 months later and got a yellow top but they had went up $10 (either $50 or $60...I cant remember). Still a heck of a deal compared to retail, and the only thing "wrong" with mine was the sticker on top was ripped 3/4 of the way off. So all I did was pull it the rest of the way off and cleaned the glue residue off and it looked perfect. I posted this several months ago and I know some of the guys on here looked and found the same deal localy.

If that doesnt work for you Advanced Auto sells them as well. To get the best possible price there find the best price you can online and carry it in and they will price match it...at least the do here. Thats how I got my yellow top and I saved almost $40 on it (it was before I knew about the above deal.) Try doing it without shipping at first...sometimes they will want to know how much shipping is though. If they insist on matching the price + shipping remind them there is no sales tax when you buy online (most of the time) and make them take that into account as well. My local Advanced will even match Ebay Buy It Now prices.

 

You can get the Red and Yellowtop Optima,s at COSTCO

 

So if I went with a yellow top I would be fine?

 

Thats what I have and I am 100% happy with it.

 

How far is your commute everyday?

 

Get the Red top if your an everyday driver and get the Yellow top if you run a lot of toys the yellow is meant to be a deep cycle battery but the Red top has a faster recovery rate. I used to sell these things at Sears auto

 

It varies...some days I dont go anywhere and the truck sits parked. Most days I drive about 25-30 miles, but most weekends (including Friday) I may not drive the truck at all.

You have to remember your not recharging the battery from near dead every time you drive it. Usually the only drain thats been on it is cranking the truck up.