Redtop 34R battery question

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:17 pm

Well, my wife's 06 appears to need a battery. It has long crank times first thing in the morning, and even after bleeding the air from the filter head, it does not help. I though it was from the biodiesel, but not so. The battery tested low, so I put a charger on it this AM and left it for 30 minutes... the amp meter had pegged and tripped the safety inside the charger several times. After 30 minutes, it started like it used to. Anyhow, I want to get another redtop, I think. They show on Optima's website that the 34R is the correct battery to replace our stock 4868999AC Mopar unit, however, the terminals appear to be closer to the center than on the stock 700CCA unit. I think this would be a problem since the negative cable terminal bends down around the side of the battery. Can anyone confirm this? Has anyone bought the new(er) 34R redtop? Thanks!

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:21 pm

Sears Platinum P-1 34R fits perfectly (turned around) and gives extra power along with ASM technology. Most people here seem to be going with this one. Got mine on sale for $210.

DOC

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:35 pm

Lots of chat on the forum about the lack of quality on RedTops in recent years. Yes the 34R is the "correct" replacement but any 34 with terminals close to the sides will do, just mount the battery with the positive on the drivers side (yes I know right hand drive may be different).

IMHO you need to look for 800CCA+, AGM technology, terminals that fit. I'm running the Sears Platinum P-1 standard 34 reversed (+ cable fit fine - hand to slightly bend the - cable to fit but no big deal) excellent battery, lots of power, excellent warranty, pricey. My son stoutdog is running an Interstate Mega-tron 85 month (MTP-34), good battery, decent power, decent warranty, not as pricey as the Sears.

There are other group 34 batteries in use.

FYI be aware that lots of battery dealers, especially the discount walmart costco types, will look at the "book" and tell you they don't have a battery listed or refuse to sell you one because none is listed.

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 12:38 pm

DOC4444 wrote:

Sears Platinum P-1 34R fits perfectly (turned around) and gives extra power along with ASM technology. Most people here seem to be going with this one. Got mine on sale for $210.

DOC

I was thinking about that, but with the holidays and other expenses, its more than I can spend at the moment. I can get the redtop for around $150 after some discounts. If I did not just buy tires using the zero interest deal on my Sears card, I would probably buy this battery... I wonder if they have any discounts for Sears batteries or a sale coming up very soon? I am afraid to push her battery much longer, especially since it will be in the single digits for lows this week.

jeepdan · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 4:56 pm

If there is way that you can afford it now, I don't think that you will ever regret buying the Sears P1.
After two red tops in six years, I installed a P1 in CRD #1 last month, it has NEVER cranked over as fast as it does now.

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:45 pm

jeepdan wrote:

If there is way that you can afford it now, I don't think that you will ever regret buying the Sears P1.
After two red tops in six years, I installed a P1 in CRD #1 last month, it has NEVER cranked over as fast as it does now.

I am going to see if I can find a discount coupon that sears send from time to time and probably get one. Optima never answered my question about the terminals so p*ss on them. Does anyone have a link to the correct one for our Jeeps or is the Sears catalog actually correct?

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:08 pm

papaindigo wrote:

There are other group 34 batteries in use.

FYI be aware that lots of battery dealers, especially the discount Wal-Mart Costco types, will look at the "book" and tell you they don't have a battery listed or refuse to sell you one because none is listed.

Your correct about that I am using a standard group 34 Advance Auto Gold battery in mine. WHEN I bought it they only listed the optima as a replacement but they sales guy was willing to try to fit it in which it did fit backwards. Its was like about $105 out the door with taxes and what ever fees they tack on 2 years ago, way cheaper than the red top with better warranty but older battery technology.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... TTAM2_____

Yes many places will not try anything not in the book and will just send you on your way... My local Sam's Club would not sell me tires in 245/70/16. The book they had said 225/75/16, they claimed nothing else would ever fit even though I rolled in with 235/70's on. When I told the tire guy I had a different size than that on he acted like he was shocked the wheels still went around. SO if you get that attitude move on other places will do things that aren't in that little book.

DynoPax · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:48 pm

I bought a Deka Eliminator 2 months ago... The lil' tank starts up swiftly, not like before with the old Optima, where it would turn 3-4 secs. Though pricey, it may be a better bargain on your side of the fence (as it usually does :roll:

)

greggmig · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:45 am

Back in the fall I had to finally replace my origanal red top. My local samsclub had a perfect replacement redtop but the terminals are closer to the center than on the origanal. The positive terminal was fine, the gound because of the bend caused a slight problem, however all you have to do is straighten the bend out slowly and everything is fine. It was night and day on how fast she spins over now fires right up no more cranking over and over.

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:50 am

Well, after contacting the ever so helpful people at Optima :roll:

I decided to go with the Sears Platinum. I have not bought it yet as I need to wait until pay day for my wife, as well as some payments from customers to get the thing. Optima apparently changed their warranty, and it looks like a sucky warranty now. Additionally, they were not at all helpful. Given the price of them, and the hype, you would think they would have better warranties and customer service. Oh well, their loss. Thanks for the advice and tips, all!

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:33 pm

Optima was sold to another company and they are not what they were.

My Sears P1 cranks my CRD faster then either of my two red tops did :SOMBRERO:

MRausch82 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 7:46 pm

Joe Romas wrote:

Optima was sold to another company and they are not what they were.

My Sears P1 cranks my CRD faster then either of my two red tops did :SOMBRERO:

My experience was not so great with their customer service help, or lack of help I should say. That and seeing how their warranty has changed, I will not buy their products in the future. As soon as I can, I am buying the Sears Platinum.

Redtop 34R battery question

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