I've just put in an Optima Red Top in the TR. Only had it in there for a couple of months so no real track record there. I'm in need of purchase of another battery for the GS 455 and am considering an Optima Yellow Top unit which is said to have stronger reserves. I'm torn on doing that or going with a powerful conventional battery with 800 or more CCA for the 455? Car sits sometimes for a couple of weeks between drives. Sign in and give me your impressions on Optima battery ownership. Are they really worth the extra $??
Evans, I had an Optima red top in one of my RX-7s and loved it, so much so that I put one in my RX-7 race car as well. I got great service out of both of them. P.S. I'm riding the H1 to work today!!
I've had a red top for a little over a year. I barely drive my GS, as I've only had it out 5 times this year ( :ball: - but I'm sure you understand with the small kids :Brow: ). I do have a negative cutt-off switch, so the battery is not draining as the car sits. No problems so far... Biggest plus??? - You will not rot your core support :TU:
Battery Have had a red top for about 1 year. Doesn't get driven a whole lot. No problems so far. Bought it because of no core support rot. Would do again. JOE :grin: :grin:
I've been through THREE redtops in the last year and a half! My experience is that if for any reason it drains to ZERO you can count on at least one cell dying. My Schumacher battery charger dislikes the battery. Tells me it is unchargeable (most likely because of the dead cell). At least Costco always gives me a new one for free. Wonder if they are catching on? Now contrast this to the 9 year old Motorcraft in my F150. Been inadvertently discharged three times but still going like the energizer bunny. I'd still say though that the pros of this battery are pretty impressive. No liquid to leak, long shelf life (as long as no drains), light weight, small size, 3 year no questions warranty. I have finally found the source of battery drains (thanks MSD uzzled: ) so maybe my luck will change.
Hey Brad, Tell me more on the battery drain problem with the MSD?? I have MSD and I'm having a battery drain problem too. Please enlighten me! Thanks!
I PMed BadBrad on the issue of battery drain and MSD- haven't heard yet from him. Anyone know anything about the combo of those and drain? I tell you..... I'm really getting frustrated with my car! It's been about two years since she was somewhat reliable. Seems like all I do is wrench and throw $ at it. I'm starting to get disheartened and thoughts enter the back of my mind to sell it! I know that if I did I would miss it but those thoughts are returning fairly often. The car still has starter drag and sometimes won't crank but that seems random. It has: rebuilt starter (completely gone through), 1 ga battery cables, fairly new battery, MSD. All connections look secure from batt to ground to starter. Oh yeah, new ignition switch too. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
No. I had 2 yellow tops that went bad on me sitting in my GSX and my 2000 vette over the winter. I'll never buy one again.
Have three red tops (all in Buicks) which have treated me quite well. Knock on wood, but have not broken out the jumper cables since using these batterys. I understand there is one out that looks like a Delco so that it will not stand out so much in the GS. Drained the one in the GN accidentily to nothing with the trunk light in the spring of 2003 and it has been fine, after a slow recharge. Will definately get the one that looks like the older battery when I need to replace one, which hopefully is a long ways off. Had problems with low voltage in Shari's GS for several years. Getting the alternator rewound by a local rebuilder to put out 84 amps at idle really helped, but the dash light would slowly dim at a light at night with air, lights and wipers on. Finally replaced the 10 gage wire off the alternator that charges the battery through a fusible link, with an 8 gage wire directly to the high current post on the starter. Now the voltage at the battery at idle is 14.2 and even the power windows operate faster. The GS used to go through batteries before because of continuous low voltage, please check the voltages and upgrade the harness if you see a voltage drop between the alternator output post and battery.
