Baystate Jeepers

Any one know the average years to expect from a red top Optima ? Mine is 5-6 yrs. old and dont seam to have the reserve it used to have. It actually stop cranking over the engine the other day while repeated starts and cranking trying to reset the TPS. I play the radio while working in the garage also but I figured that shouldnt be the issue. It sits a lot also as I haven't been well enough to drive it much. Thanks FjR68

i thought those last twice as long as other batteries.

I only got 3 years out of my last red top, and I'm about 2 or 3 years into my second one. Word is that they're made in Mexico now and the quality is not as good as they used to be, so you're in good shape if you got 5 or 6 years out of one. The top end Sears Platinum battery is supposed to be good.

I average about 10+ on my Diehards.

Never leaked either, even when I averaged a roll/dump every run.

Last Redtop lasted me 10 years, there is a fresh one in the Scrambler now.

So I guess I will wait till next year to buy a new one or another spiral cell brand. Thanks FjR68

Frank,
I had really good luck with the Excide Orbital battery I originally bought for the Heep.
Thing lasted about 7 years of hard use (back when the Heep was daily driver/weekend warior).

The diehard platinum 34/78dt battery for jeeps is actually an odyssey battery with a diehard sticker. Odyssey batteries are very reliable and last a long time. I've had red tops, yellow tops, and the diehard has lasted the longest. If you wait for a sale you can pick up the battery for just over $150.

johnsxj wrote:Frank,
I had really good luck with the Excide Orbital battery I originally bought for the Heep.
Thing lasted about 7 years of hard use (back when the Heep was daily driver/weekend warior).

I have an Excide Orbital in there too... Still kicking after 5+ years of use and several winters of sitting.

Get a Battery Tender or similar box to keep the charge level up when it is sitting... I've got a Battery Tender Plus that I've found to work well.

JW

Whats the verdict on the new Optima A G M battery charger. Anyone got one yet? I was told to hook my charger to an automotive batt and a second pair of cables to the Optima . It was to help the charger see the load of the plate batt and create a charge rate that wouldnt hurt the drycell. Anyone else do this ? Digital chargers dont seem to be able to deep cycle the A G M batteries without doing this jump thing. Looking at the new Optima Charger. Let me know. Thanks FjR68

the new charger is more then worth it my buddy has one and is amazing. i like the red yellow tops just my opion no problems with my battery.