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Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 988
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 1:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Nobody wants voltage drop when running an amp regardless of size. It causes heat, poor audio clarity, loss of power, damage to amp and alternator. I have a 100 amp alternator running my DX500 Texas Star. With a Sears battery I was getting drops well below 13.8 volts with amp at full power. I just popped in an Optima red top battery and now voltage will not go below 13.8 volts AT ENGINE IDLE!!! With amp at full power!!! In fact when I first key voltage will decrease to 13.8 and then shoot right back up to 14.2 -14.4 volts!!! Even with the engine off I did not see the batery go below 12.2 volts. The Optima is almost twice the weight off a conventional battery and even a little smaller. They have a 3 year warranty. You can even use an Optima tipped over on its side with no worries. One more thing, car audio buffs who use the battery claim that the power is also much cleaner than others and audio sounds a lot better. I am noticing less just a little less static and interference in my recieve. Now this is my immediate response of the battery so the real test is when I really put it to some heavier use all day long using accesories and such. Hey they are not cheap but I do believe they are worth each penny.
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Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad

Post Number: 710
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 1:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Exide sells a spiral cell battery that is almost identical if not identical to the red-top for less money. I'm planning to put one in my car, people have been having great results wiht the Exide! Just FYI.

Chad
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Alsworld
Advanced Member
Username: Alsworld

Post Number: 994
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 9:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I just put an Optima Red Top in my Silverado. Got 5 1/2 years out of my old beloved Diehard, but it was on it's last legs. I studied up on the Optimas quite a bit before laying down the cash. 3 year full replacement warranty is great. Because it's a closed cell spiral gel battery, it virtually eliminates gassing, which in turn eliminates corrosion at the battery terminals. Normal batteries are tested to 4,000 starts, whereas Optimas are tested to 12,000.

The Exide I was looking at originally (Not the spiral Chad refers to, but a "normal" battery with dual top and side terminals) that had the CCA's I was looking at costed around $90 + tax. I bought the Optima for $50 more. I'll consider it a long term test.

I can attest that the military uses Optimas in the severest of conditions and they work extremely well.

I see numerous batteries for sell that look like Optimas in another companies packaging/label, just like Chad refered to. I wonder who makes those batteries? I have my suspisions...

Alsworld
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Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 989
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 12:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Not sure besides online where to find an Exide. The online prices were crazy compared to the auto store I went to. My Optima cost me 110 bucks. If I had reserched the Exides I may have considered but I'm glad I bought the Optima.
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Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad

Post Number: 712
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 9:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

NTB sells Exide.

I know a bunch of guys running them as opposed to optmia's and have had optima's.

They are holding up well and they say the outer machining process is the same as the Optima but a different color.

Cool thing about these batteries is that you CAN buy them off of the net because they are sealed and can be shipped.

I plan to buy an Exide very soon, the stock Honda batteries really, well, deserve explicatives. I'll let you all know how it performs and get you some pics. This is due to a recent audio upgrade and the fact that if the car sits for more than a few days the battery is weak as all get-out.

Chad
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 2503
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 5:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

my davemade pulls a lot more amps then 'wires dx500, but with 2 optimas & a 117 amp alternator, i could hold volts & wattage real well. when i sold my boat i had to put 'em back in it, & with a single stock battery, it can't hold. kid vicious has heard me twice stop at a traffic light & fade out, only to reappear as i moved away. as for cleaner audio on xmit-if you have clean, full power supplied, it will help what you have continue 'out'. there is a difference.
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Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 997
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 7:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for the info on the Exides Chad. Post some pics when you can and let us know how things work out. My next plans for the future are multiple gels in series for the serious mobile. Have already researched the more affordable batterys.73
Hey Pat this weekend I'm gonna expirement with my mobile setup some of your suggestions. Keeping my fingers crossed for improvment. 73
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Sparkomatic
Intermediate Member
Username: Sparkomatic

Post Number: 395
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 7:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I use the Optimas because they will never leak acid and the terminals never need to be periodically cleaned. They will only gas if they are being severly over charged.
I certainly don't notice less voltage drop over lead/acid batteries but batteries will never make up for an inadequate alternator.
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1078
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 12:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I agree Sparkomatic. My 100 amp alternator does the job. The batterys in any installation is just for peaks. I know of a guy who says he runs a 2 driving 8 with one stock alt, and 2 deep cycles. I wonder if he had an upgraded alt. and just one good battery if his stuff would be more effiecent?
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Pistonpopper
Junior Member
Username: Pistonpopper

Post Number: 28
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 2:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ok, I was just wondering what size of an amp I could run without having to go with a bigger alternator and extra batteries? Given that I have an Optima, which sounds like it could run me some bucks, if I have to get one of them to start running an amp in the mobile.
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Wolverine
Advanced Member
Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 609
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 5:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Which Optima is better for running amps, in a car? Red or yellow??, and why?.
Wolverine
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1079
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 7:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It depends on how big your stock alternator is. My opinion I would not go any bigger than a 4 pill 2879 with a 100 amp alternator and a good battery. Even that install takes planning and care.Important to keep volts up! Use heavy power cables to amp! Remember that your accesories like headlights and tail lights heater and various other items must have a proper power supply at the same time your amp is on. So far this winter with headlights, wipers, heater blower on I have had no trouble with running the amp.
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Wolverine
Advanced Member
Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 610
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 4:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My alternator is rated at 110 amps. I did a search on the internet, and it reads that the yellow optima is good for cars that use big audio amps and speakers. So I'm guessing, that since audio amps can draw massive amps, which is no different than RF amps, which require hi amps (4 pill 2879), then the Yellow optima should be better than the red optima, for this application, in my humble opinion. Hope I'm right.
Wolverine.
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Cornbrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Cornbrown

Post Number: 124
Registered: 7-2005


Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Go with the yellow tops. They have the deep cycle feature that you need.
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1082
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah guys you make a very good point but I must disagree with the yellow top battery. My reason for going with the red top is that I will never drain it down and recharge it. My amp draws nothing close to what a huge car audio amp(s) will draw for long periods. Also when you drain a deep cycle you must charge it back up slow. The yellow tops give long draws of power for long periods of time until they need recharged. My alternator powers my amp and the red top only supplys the peaks I need. Yellows are made to drain and get charged again slowly. Not a good choice to replace your primary battery with one for just a cb amp. Use the yellows in banks in the trunk hooked up to an isolator to power kilowatt amps. Now guys this is my opinion I have gotten from research so maybe you have had some good luck useing a deep cycle battery as the the primary power source in your vehicle. Personally I would avoid it.73
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1083
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 12:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I discussed this with a friend who uses the yellows for his Cadillacs hydraulics. You can use the yellow OPTIMA only for your primary if your alternator cannot keep a regular battery charged under a heavy load. So if your killing starting batterys with the motor running with a cb amp then you should go yellow top. A yellow top is overkill for just a 4 pill amp. Wolverine, your 110 amp alternator will power any 4 pill no problem and any battery as long as its good will work well. I like the Optima for the increased performance. 73

Cornbrown, Your avatar is so small and hard to make out. After looking at it for awhile it appears to be a guy holding lightbulbs over a mobile antenna. I just noticed it! So is that guy still walking with the living?
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Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad

Post Number: 746
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I agree with Hotwire, red tops are best for the app, even for car audio they are tops as long as you are not showing the rig and running with the engine off, at which point an isolated yellow top (or bank of) and a red top under the hood is the best bet.

Even smaller shows will supply you with 120VAC for a power supply/charger in the car audio arena. ALSO under normal circumstances car audio is less brutal than RF as long as we are talking AM broadcasting. There is no carrier in car audio :-)

Chad
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Wolverine
Advanced Member
Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 612
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 5:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for the advice Howwire, I wonder which optimas are being used by Patzerozero. I also liked your explanation for using the Red Optima, just for the peaks. Maybe a yellow would be overkill for just a 4-pill amp. Thanks for the info once again.
Wolverine.
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Cornbrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Cornbrown

Post Number: 126
Registered: 7-2005


Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 7:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I run a Fat Boy 8 pill in my mobile. I use two yellow top batteries in the trunk to power the amp. In all my installations I allways went bigger that what I thought I needed, and seem to work for me. When it comes to RF amplifiers its allways good to to have more than just enough to power the amp. All that being said if you have enough alternator the Red Top will be enough for a four pill amp.
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1089
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 11:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

No problem at all Wolverine! One more fact about the red top is when you key your amp the battery will deliver more on demand amps than a yellow top. This goes for all starting vs. deep cycle batterys. Starters have higher cranking amps for the first 15 seconds of use of course for turning over a motor. Be sure never to let a red top go dead. Unlike a yellow top that goes dead a redtop or any type starting battery will never charge back to 100 percent again. Hey go with the red top and it will last you for many years of high performance use. Nice to chat with ya! 73
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 2603
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 3:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i used the D34 red top only because i got a good deal on them at the time. they were originally in my I/O boat, & the difference in capacity between the red & yellow never made any difference. i'd cruise across the bay, dock at the marina, run the stereo off it, sometimes for a whole weekend without starting the engine, then come sunday nite or monday morning, it'd start right up. 2000CCA available with a 117 amp alternator NEVER gave me any trouble when drawing 150 amps, with the headlights on. maybe because of the higher peak watts & lower key, the alt was able to keep the batteries at a higher % of charge? the yellow tops have considerably lower CCA, & capacity is only another 10 minutes, so even in my boat i felt red was better. for the moment i am using just 1 870 CCA battery & see significant voltage drop at under 2000 engine rpm. 2 more optimas will be coming soon.
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Sparkomatic
Intermediate Member
Username: Sparkomatic

Post Number: 415
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 1:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I use nothing but Yellow Top Optimas. I have been running 2 Yellow Top 31 series in my pickup tool box since 1999. I do a lot of keying with the engine off so it works great for me. The Optima Red Top is a great battery though. No leaking acid and will only vent hydrogen if you SEVERELY overcharge them.
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1922
Registered: 1-2005


Posted on Sunday, October 22, 2006 - 12:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I imagine if you do a lot of keying with the engine off the Yellow tops are the way to go for those long draws of high amps for extended periods.
I just prefer the Red top because I use ssb most of the time and just need quick bursts of amps. If I use my radio without the engine running I run the amp real low on watts. With only batteries you have got to watch those volts. Going under 12 volts is bad news.
The idea is to have the alternator power the amp and all the battery does is help supplement the peaks.
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Chad
Senior Member
Username: Chad

Post Number: 1164
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Sunday, October 22, 2006 - 10:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hotwire, Have you looked into the Exide Orbitals yet? Just like a red top for less money! Although I do not have one, many have said that they are usually fresher (sometimes have to order)and are a much better value. I plan to order one VERY soon for the Escape Pod. The Delphi nasty stock battery is not cutting it!

Chad
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1933
Registered: 1-2005


Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 - 12:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Chad, No sir I have not looked into them. As long as the Optima is doing its job or I need another battery I won't be in the market. I will be checking them out though!

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