Optima yellow top

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:19 pm

Just curious if anyone is currently using an Optima yellow top battery. I'm looking at getting one this summer for my trip out to Utah. I'll have a fridge in the car along with lights and computer installed in the Jeep by that time so I think the yellow top will suit those needs just fine. Unless someone thinks that the red top should work just fine with all those electronics on board...let me hear some opinions if ya don't mind...THANKS!!

-Scott

KJ_Dave · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:46 pm

The yellow top is a great multipurpose battery. It is dual purpose starting and a deep cycle battery. The thing is though are you going to use all this stuff while the engine is off? I would normall use all that when the engine is on. In that case the alternator is doing most of the work. I would upgrade the alternator to a 160 amp one before I would get a new battery. Just my opinion based on past experience. Others may disagree.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:29 pm

Ive had the Optima Red-Top for a year now and Ive never had a problem with it.

Some people say that they will not hold charge but my BCM has drained it twice now and it still does great. Ive just got to pull the fuse for the BCM when its going to be parked for more than a few days.

meduncan · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:39 pm

I've got the yellow top and accidentally ran a little fridge cooler for about 8 hours off the battery (left it plugged in and went off to do stuff). Came back and the battery was just low enough that it wouldn't crank the engine but lights, guages, etc all worked. Took a jump and the battery has held a charge just fine. Learned my lesson and now I always check to make sure I unplug the fridge if I'm going to be away from the KJ for a long period of time. I'd highly recommend the battery since it holds up to abuse (both depletion and trail) very well.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:16 pm

Thanks for the replies thus far...BUT now....did you just put it in and put the cables on and drive away or were there any special modifications you had to do beforehand

jason thompson · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:34 pm

My .02 on batteries is this
They all have warrantys for a reason
so if they go dead you can get a new one
I have had a red top a yellow top and a "premium" brand reg. old battery with a 3 year warranty
they all do the same thing on my jeep ,go dead

I run all kinds of current off of a regular old 700 CCA battery in my work truck
I have a 700/1400 watt power inverter that I use to run a 5 amp grinder or a 7 amp 1/2 drive electric impact
and as long as the engine is running I can use the head lights as work lights ,they dont go dim

I personaly would not spend the money for the optima for what you are doing the standard batt. will be fine
they are all rated for X amp hours and while the optimas may be slightly higher the cost is not worth the gain
if you want to truely gain the ability to run stuff with the engine off then your best bet is to get a dual batt system with an engine off dissconect
and a regular old deep cycle battery from walmart or some place like that then kill it just befor the warrant runs out and get a new one

The syatem that I am going to put on the TJ ,when I need to, will be a standard batt. for starting with a deep cycle for winching and other high currant loads

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:36 pm

I was reading on ROF the other day that the Optimas were not as good any more since they were bought out a year or two ago. Was trying to find the post just now but couldnt. Seems like what all companies do these days the new company is making them cheaper so they dont last as long or hold up as well. They were talking about the Odyssey PC1500DT but its like 225/250 bucks. Would really check out the warranty etc on the new Optimas before I would buy one now.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:46 pm

I've had my yellow top now for a year with no problems,used my winch many times(zero problems),used my stereo for hours with the vehicle off and no problems(2 10" subs with a 750 watt amp).Had a red top in my KJ before with no problems ether,it even sat hooked up in the KJ for a year while I was deployed,still started like I drove yesterday.I only switched because of the winch,my red top was 4 years old and my dad is still using it on the farm with zero problems.I think they are worth it,just my opinion though.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:02 pm

2006KJSPORT4x4 wrote:

Thanks for the replies thus far...BUT now....did you just put it in and put the cables on and drive away or were there any special modifications you had to do beforehand

Mine dropped right in. I had to bend the connector just a tad though. You will see what Im talking about when you go to put the battery in. The connectors right now have a 90 bend in them and it wouldnt let it connect to the post on the new optima.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:10 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

2006KJSPORT4x4 wrote:

Thanks for the replies thus far...BUT now....did you just put it in and put the cables on and drive away or were there any special modifications you had to do beforehand

Mine dropped right in. I had to bend the connector just a tad though. You will see what Im talking about when you go to put the battery in. The connectors right now have a 90 bend in them and it wouldnt let it connect to the post on the new optima.

Well I used the bigger group,34 I think, I had to trim one side of the battery tray(torwards the left fender) for it to fit,and like Jeepjeepster said you have to bend the factory terminal ends a little to get them to fit on the top posts.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:28 pm

thanks again guys for the help...price shopping now...seems like I can't find a yellow for less then $200 or a red for less then $150....anyone know where the best deal on these might be? yes I know you get what you pay for would be a slogan here but just trying to save the pennies for other mods that need to happen....o lord i'm sick, I got that j.e.e.p. bug..LOL :twisted:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:33 pm

2006KJSPORT4x4 wrote:

thanks again guys for the help...price shopping now...seems like I can't find a yellow for less then $200 or a red for less then $150....anyone know where the best deal on these might be? yes I know you get what you pay for would be a slogan here but just trying to save the pennies for other mods that need to happen....o lord i'm sick, I got that j.e.e.p. bug..LOL :twisted:

WOW! I paid like $120 for the red top at advance auto(in SD) in '02 and $130 for the yellow top at GI Joe's(Lakewood WA) in '06.Do you have a 4wheelparts store near by? Or try a place like autozone or advance auto.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:37 pm

those prices I listed are from the advance auto and auto zone nearby...as for 4Wheel Parts I haven't checked them out but I need to go there sometime and get some Hi-Lift jack stuff so i'll have to check their price...

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 06, 2007 10:16 am

I've noticed with the increase in popularity of the Optima battery that the price has also gone up. I bought a red top ($110.00) almost 5 years ago for my Mustang and it's still going strong but now at the same exact store the price is $150.00 for the same battery. I guess that is inflation or the free market economy at work for you...

If you have a membership to Costco or SAM's you might be able to find a yellow top at a discounted price...

libby · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:23 am

I've worked full-time and part-time at a major auto parts store for the last eight years. I have a red top in everything I own (the discount helps). Optimas are better than the premium store brand batteries in quality and power. They're printed cranking power and reserve capacity is greatly under rated. One day I put a brand new red top through a few tests. It had over 1000 cranking amps. As for the cost, its worth it to not have to worry about leaving the lights on for awhile or playing the radio too long. The red top is great for a daily driver, the yellow if you have a winch or rarely drive it.

BTW, all battery prices have increased substantially in the last 3-4 years, not just optimas. Optimas used to be $109 and the premium store brand equivalant was about $60 about 4 yrs ago. Now that same store brand is about $95.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:51 pm

I don't think anyone has mentioned it but the CRD's came with redtop optima's :!:

Kniggit · **Posted:** Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:03 pm

I'd been thinking about mentioning that but I doubt they care that for $3000 extra, or $2000 if you wanted an auto, that you get a better battery.

K

Optima yellow top

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