quality of optima batteries

[Boost]

Could never bring myself to spend the money on an Optima. Just got a new pair for the Blazer today after having some issues. I've had good luck with the Duralast Gold versions from Autozone and have been running them since the mid-90's. They have a 3 year free replacement and an 8 year pro-rated warranty. The set I replaced today was right at 6 years old and had a rough life in an off-road vehicle, winching, sat around a lot between being started, and had been drained and recharged several times (sometimes the diesel is a bare to start when real cold).

Basically walked out of the store with a pair of dual terminal group 34 1000CCA batteries for the price of one, which I didn't think was bad considering the olds ones were 6 years old. Optimas were around $190 per battery.

The factory GM battery in my '03 went out after 7 years and I replaced it with whatever the Advance Auto Parts "premium" house brand is. Think I got 35% off by using a discount code online and them store pickup, and thus the reason I went that route.

x2

[TomH]

Optima was sold and is now made in china I believe.

Optima is a brand of Johnson Controls (JCI) out of Milwaukee. They make stuff all over including China, Mexico, Europe, and the US. (There was a blurb this summer about JCI doubling their plant in Toledo to make AGM (Optima) batteries.)

[C.P.]

I put 2 in my Blazer about 6 months ago, no problems at all.

[94Dodge Truggy]

I put 2 in my Blazer about 6 months ago, no problems at all.

Not enough time. Give it 3 years and abuse and check in with a report. Hopefully it was just a bad batch.

[Trigger]

Aren't the Diehard Platinum batteries the same as an Odyssey? I thought I read that somewhere.

[yellowjacket]

talked to scott about interstate...he thinks they are wet acid type, im really hopin to stay with an agm or dry so guess ill be lookin in all other directions.

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[KillerKoatings]

I went with the the die hard platinum which I read was the same as the odyssey. They aren't cheap but are suppose to be really good. I've haven't tortured it yet so I guess we will see how it holds up.

[C.P.]

Not enough time. Give it 3 years and abuse and check in with a report. Hopefully it was just a bad batch.

I hope they work out. I swore them off years ago, but needed them in a pinch. I would rather have lead/acid but they are mounted inside the truck.

[carwash]

talked to scott about interstate...he thinks they are wet acid type, im really hopin to stay with an agm or dry so guess ill be lookin in all other directions.

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Liquid should be just fine for you Rob. Batteries don't spill sitting on a shelf in the shop, or in a rig that doesn't move any further than it can be pushed around on the floor.

[yellowjacket]

......:p funny dude!

i was expecting a rollover battery acid ball valve joke from ya! let me check here...yep....the worlds longest build thread belongs to someone else here besides me, so im good!:) how long was that...?

id probably be ok cause i have a sheild between batt and passenger compartment but rather be safe than sorry. from what im hearin here i think ill steer clear of optima for now though

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[gothodgie]

http://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-cor...a-yay-nay.html

here is some good info on optima batteries... if you go thru the thread there is a guy from optima(optima jim) that answers a bunch of specific questions too...

There is a ton of info in that ^thread^, some good and some bad... From what i remember reading there was an issue with a batch of batteries when they first changed manufacturing locations... Also that there has been much better reviews of of the yellow and blue Optimas...

I personally have only owned 1 optima over the years and it was when they first came out about 15 years ago... They cost too much these days...

I have had good luck with the Advance premium batteries... I have a starting and deep cycle in my cruiser and have not had any issues with them... The starting battery is about 2 years old and starts everytime i want it too..

[JeffK5]

I know at one time the Optima was the only battery that would not physically bust from the pounding they got put through in the hill-climber rails.