May I gritch....

[UNC017]

...and complain about just how wretched Optima batteries have become?

Daughter called from college yesterday saying her car (the 99 Jeep in sig) wouldn't start- dead battery. Fortunately her college is only 45 minutes away, so I drove up there and jumped the car so she could come home for the long weekend. Call it a premonition, but I had already decided that I was going to teach her how to safely use the portable start-pack and send it back with her when she goes back to her dorm. I don't believe in ESP- I'm sure my subconscious just heard her truck crank a tick slower than normal 2 weeks ago when I last saw her. I checked the charging system and the alternator is kicking out 85 amps at idle and 118 at 2500 RPM, so its FINE.

But I digress... Optimas stink. I used to LOVE those things in the 90s, and I had 2 that each lasted close to 10 years. But they've been lasting less and les time. This one? 8/2010 date code. TWO years. For a $200 battery. UN acceptable. Never again. I've got one Optima left and I don't trust it any further than I could throw it shot-put style.

And yes, she did get training on a jumpstart pack today after I gave her the battery out of the '66, which I can replace at my convenience.

I'm willing to spend a lot for a non-corroding gas-sealed AGM battery, but I'm switching to Diehard Platinum (EnerSys Odyssey) batteries from here on out. Optima is dead (pun intended) to me.

I feel better now.

 

[heyu]

I was almost convinced to purchase one of these but was like ,,,you can buy two fairly big dual post 800cca batteries for the same price,and thats what i did ,,Thanks for your input on this

 

[NHGUY]

I believe Optima was sold off to someone else,and they cheapened the heck out of them.The other alternative is Exide Orbital.

 

[Dave Hess]

Just buy the 'gold' AAP battery with the 40% discount code, no need for an overpriced Optima battery.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Just buy the 'gold' AAP battery with the 40% discount code, no need for an overpriced Optima battery.



+1!

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Just buy the 'gold' AAP battery with the 40% discount code, no need for an overpriced Optima battery.



+1!


That's fine if that's what you want to do. I have a co-worker who buys the cheapest battery he can find ($30-$50 sometimes) and replaces his battery every 2 years. Works for him, but he also trades in his cars about every 5 years. Having a non-outgassing AGM battery that won't corrode parts on my vintage cars is VERY important to me. I'll gladly spend the dollars for the advanced tech, but I will NOT spend the dollars if I don't also get AT LEAST equivalent life, and I know that much longer life is achievable based on past experience. Every source I've read indicates that the EnerSys Odyssey is the battery to get if you want high-end batteries. Still stupid expensive, but as I said, I have my reasons for preferring to spend the money.

Other topics that have been brought up: Yes, Optima was started as a small family company but has been sold (at least once) and I think they belong to Johnson Controls.

Exide Orbital: Tell me more. My previous experiences with Exide were even worse than this last experience with Optima. And I think I even recall that Sears fired Exide as the manufacturer for many of its DieHards around 8-10 years ago because they got so bad.

 

[hemitom]

I had one exide battery that POS didn't make it through one winter. never again.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Avoid Chinamart Neverstart batteries lol

 

[heyu]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Avoid Chinamart Neverstart batteries lol


I never purchased a EverStart but that brand is one of the top rated for quality right now for 2012 ,,just a FYI to anyone else

 

[ctrcbob]

Recently had strange things happen to both OEM Motorcraft batteries in our two cars.

2010 SHO, about two months ago, with 34,000 miles on it. OEM battery died. No warning. Great one day, cranking great. Next morning, DEAD.

2011 MKZ, last week, with less than 11,000 miles on it. OEM battery died. Also, no warning. Great one day, dead the next.

Both were replaced under warranty. Probably died because it gets HOT under the hood in a Florida summer.

Previous car with AAP Platinum (now Gold) at least gave me warning before it died.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Avoid Chinamart Neverstart batteries lol


Everstarts actually seem to have a pretty decent reputation and are made by Johnson Controls. Mine is about 3-4 years old and is doing fine. Besides, Wal-Mart will likely just give you a new battery if you bring in any old dirty, nasty, dead Everstart to the customer service counter.

As for Optimas, their reputation has been slipping. I remember a couple years ago on a Ranger board someone's truck had an underhood fire due to an Optima.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Top Rated my... nvm, I have an Everstart max, at 9 months dead. took it in, 3 yr warranty, in Walmart terms ONE replacement in those 3 years.

In this case, buy the cheap walmart battery, paying extra for a longer warranty is ridiculous when theyll only honor it once in that span of time.

Buy a 3 year battery replace it in 8 months, if it dies in 4 months it will only be 1 YEAR on something rated 3.

The Service Manager told me she gets alot back, theyre not that great. Made by Johnson Controls, they also make AAP last time I checked and DieHard

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Top Rated my... nvm, I have an NEverstart max, at 9 months dead. took it in, 3 yr warranty, in Walmart terms ONE replacement in those 3 years.

In this case, buy the cheap walmart battery, paying extra for a longer warranty is ridiculous when theyll only honor it once in that span of time.


Fixed

 

[JHZR2]

Honestly, while I'm a big fan of vrla batteries in a lot of applications, I don't see why folks would choose a non-serviceable AGM battery in any application where it isn't installed inside the vehicle (under seat or in the trunk).

AGM off gasses at rates above roughly C/3, so if the alternator is putting out 80-120A and most of it is going for battery charge, that's more like 1+C rate. You'll get irreversible offgassing, which will cause an early death.

 

[heyu]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Top Rated my... nvm, I have an Everstart max, at 9 months dead. took it in, 3 yr warranty, in Walmart terms ONE replacement in those 3 years.

In this case, buy the cheap walmart battery, paying extra for a longer warranty is ridiculous when theyll only honor it once in that span of time.

Buy a 3 year battery replace it in 8 months, if it dies in 4 months it will only be 1 YEAR on something rated 3.

The Service Manager told me she gets alot back, theyre not that great. Made by Johnson Controls, they also make AAP last time I checked and DieHard


Not here to dispute just pointing out 2012 facts of this situation http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/car-batteries.htm

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Top Rated my... nvm, I have an Everstart max, at 9 months dead. took it in, 3 yr warranty, in Walmart terms ONE replacement in those 3 years.


Mine is still going strong and hasn't even had the terminals cleaned since being installed 3-4 years ago.

A few years ago a friend of mine had a ratty old Nissan Sentra that wouldn't start. The battery wasn't the main problem, but we decided to take the old, dirty Everstart to Wal-Mart with no receipt and see if they would replace it. The woman at the counter took one quick glance at it and told us to go grab another battery off the shelf. The one we took in had to have been at least 2-3 years old and looked like [censored].

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I just replaced a 4 year old napa gold battery. Was hoping it would last longer


Originally Posted By: ctrcbob
Recently had strange things happen to both OEM Motorcraft batteries in our two cars.

2010 SHO, about two months ago, with 34,000 miles on it. OEM battery died. No warning. Great one day, cranking great. Next morning, DEAD.

2011 MKZ, last week, with less than 11,000 miles on it. OEM battery died. Also, no warning. Great one day, dead the next.

Both were replaced under warranty. Probably died because it gets HOT under the hood in a Florida summer.

Previous car with AAP Platinum (now Gold) at least gave me warning before it died.


You're probably right on the heat killing them.

Locally, the older motorcraft batteries had the reputation of going 10 years. I've seen many-a tauruses and focuses in the junkyard with the original MC batteries!

 

[wirelessF]

I'm guessing the Made in USA ones are better? When did they started outsourcing?

My bro bought a used Optima battery at the Interstate battery store and he came across one of the older Made in USA Optima redtop batteries. I guess these weren't junk since it lasted this long.

When I replaced the 5 y/o Exide in my Chevy I went with the Super Start Extreme AGM battery. It's a relabeled Deka battery and found it way better and cheaper than the Optimas. Made in the USA too. I'll see how long this battery will last.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Avoid Chinamart Neverstart batteries lol


Seven years and counting for the Everstart-MAXX in my Caddy, cranking a 542ci engine through long, hot cables. Absolutely no complaints! I recall Wal-Mart batteries are made by Johnson Controls (Interstate).

 

[JHZR2]

I think my Deka AGMs are 2008 models, one has been essentially perpetually undercharged bc of being used on an older car. Both are great and showing no signs of giving up

Are some on here implying that AAP batteries are the same as Walmart?

I've been a bit disappointed by the WM battery I have in my 98 chevy, and I'm on my second, with one warranty swap. I was thinking about am AAP silver.