The car in question is my 68 Camaro, with LS1 & 6 speed. Not driven much recently. Lives with a Ctek battery charger attached. Has an immobiliser & E-Stopp brake. No electrical changes in years.
Last May the battery had suddenly died completely, this battery was around 3 years old. Replaced it with another Yellow Top, it was dead in 4-5 months, during that time it had fully charged and all signs on charger were correct. So it was replaced. I purchased another battery charger in case it was the culprit. Yesterday I go to car and again another battery has died completely, again 4-5 months old. This one I had done a couple of drives, and charger showed all was good until I checked yesterday.
The last 2 batteries have been replaced under warranty, but what are my possible options to look for, or a different brand of battery?
we all love th elook of the optima battery. Shoot i have 3 or 4 of them myself.
But, when they stopped making them in the US the quality has dropped.
I have spoken with several 'employee's at various different events such as sema, and they will tell you the batteries are better than they ever have been.
But that is simply not true. they dont last like they did 20 years ago.
I must “weigh in” on this topic. I have experience with four different battery brands, as a gearhead, since 1974. My current 1968 Camaro uses a trunk mounted ODYSSEY battery with way oversized Navy strand cabling to proper termination points using nuclear grade terminals gold plated and torqued to spec. Here is what I have discovered:
Optima makes the prettiest battery.
Optima is the worst battery I have ever owned because I care about performance, not just looks.
When I replaced my red top Optima with an “Odyssey”, my Autometer full sweep fuel level gauge suddenly worked perfectly, my variable speed dual fan controller no longer required a “patch job” capacitor, and I could share several immediate improvements in my EFI, (F.A.S.T. XFI, 2.05) that fed the 572..,
Bottom Line is you gotta draw your own conclusion,
As for me, I won’t touch another Optima.
Last edited by 572Camaro; 03-03-2024 at 06:20 PM.
Reason: OOPS, apparently I forgot one detail regarding my experience with Optima batteries.., I ONLY used a new Optima battery charger. Never did I allow the Optima to overcharge or go dead.
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to 572Camaro For This Useful Post:
I have had experience with Optima Gell Cells for years as I actually sell them as well. I think the secret to success on these batteries is the battery chargers. Keep them alive with a good maintainer charger and never over charge them with a booster charger and they seem to last.
I have had experience with Optima Gell Cells for years as I actually sell them as well. I think the secret to success on these batteries is the battery chargers. Keep them alive with a good maintainer charger and never over charge them with a booster charger and they seem to last.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhutton
I have used several Odyssey batteries with good results but I also use their charger which I think helps.
Don
Starting to feel it could be overcharging. The Optima charger is not available in Australia. I have reached out to Optima Battery distributor but no response to date. I tried my smaller Ctek MXS 3.8, and this charged it up. I am now disconnecting charger for periods, as auto elec noted very small drain when off, will see how we go.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Optima Yellow Top failures
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