Alternative to Optima - Lateral-g Forums

**WSSix** · #1 05-18-2013, 09:29 AM

I'm not too happy right now. My 3.5 year old Red Top that mainly sat disconnected from the car is no good. I'm having a real hard time justifying spending $200 again on another one considering it didn't last any longer than a normal AutoZone battery. Hell, AutoZone will prorate their stuff after 3 years even but not Optima. So what are my options if any? The battery sits in the trunk. I don't have it in a box with a vent so I believe that means I have to use an AGM battery versus a liquid battery, correct?

Thanks

Sorry for the bitch fest but $200 is a lot of money to me and I expect more for the premium price they ask.

**camcojb** · #2 05-18-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSSix

I'm not too happy right now. My 3.5 year old Red Top that mainly sat disconnected from the car is no good. I'm having a real hard time justifying spending $200 again on another one considering it didn't last any longer than a normal AutoZone battery. Hell, AutoZone will prorate their stuff after 3 years even but not Optima. So what are my options if any? The battery sits in the trunk. I don't have it in a box with a vent so I believe that means I have to use an AGM battery versus a liquid battery, correct?

Thanks

Sorry for the bitch fest but $200 is a lot of money to me and I expect more for the premium price they ask.

Have you tried reconditioning it with the chargers made for that purpose? I have saved several that way that I thought were dead. Regular chargers don't bring them back. I have a Ctek like this one, but they make less expensive models.

**WSSix** · #3 05-18-2013, 10:15 AM

I used my Battery Tender Jr all through the night last night. It's a slow charge charger/tender. It showed fully charged this morning as did the gauge on the dash. Hit the starter and it doesn't have the power to start. Look at the gauge and it's down a full volt immediately after trying to start. There's also a small amount of acid that seeped/leaked out of the battery.

What's the difference between a Ctek unit and a regular charger?

Thanks

**camcojb** · #4 05-18-2013, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSSix

I used my Battery Tender Jr all through the night last night. It's a slow charge charger/tender. It showed fully charged this morning as did the gauge on the dash. Hit the starter and it doesn't have the power to start. Look at the gauge and it's down a full volt immediately after trying to start. There's also a small amount of acid that seeped/leaked out of the battery.

What's the difference between a Ctek unit and a regular charger?

Thanks

It may be that the battery is shot, but this is how the Ctek does it. A regular charger can cook these batteries. I've had Optima batteries that would not hold a charge that worked fine after being on the Ctek charger; of course your results may be different.

http://smartercharger.com/

**WSSix** · #5 05-18-2013, 10:44 AM

Thanks for the info, Jody.

If I do decide to get another battery, do you know if I have to use an AGM battery since the battery is technically in the passenger compartment? I've always been told the normal liquid acid batteries have to be in a sealed box that's vented to the outside if they are in the trunk. Something about vapors while being charged by the alternator.

booah · #6 05-18-2013, 07:12 PM

I went with an Odyssey Extreme AGM. Then theres no liquid acid getting flung around , its sealed , its got a steel jacket built around it from the factory and no hydrogen in the trunk/ passenger compartment.

I put my battery in the trunk last year, then got rear ended a few months later and that was the first thing that came to my mind when I finally got the trunk opened.
http://shop.odysseybattery.com/p/pc1200mjt-a?pp=12

I bought a CTEK charger also. Batteries are heavy little suckers