For those who thought about using a Optima battery

I installed A Deka 9A34R AGM battery( Deka's version of the Optima) in my truck. I have had it In my truck for two months now and all I can say is what a difference it makes. Cranks over and starts way better than the original battery from the factory ever did. It is actually a little smaller then the 710cca original, so it does require some modification of the battery clamp. The Deka 9A34 has 775cca, 55ah discharge rate, and 120min reserve capacity. Which is a good bit better than the Optima red top and cheaper, its about 150 bucks. I work at the battery plant where these are made. So I have a good view on the quality of manufacturing and it is good. Lots of quality checks and strict specifications.

 

I honestly have to say 2 months ownership is not long enough to rate something that should be good for at the least 3 YEARs. Not trying to poop on your thread. Just seems kinda premature.

 

I realize that, just giving people another option to take since so many have been saying about the problems they have been getting with Optima's batteries. Time will tell, and not many people know about the Deka battery compared to the Optima. Also it has a 2 year free replacement and 85 month prorated waranty.

 

How long does your engine crank? mine takes maybe 2-3 sec. before it starts with the stock battery. That's not a real good test wait till it's 30 below.

 

Good to know another good battery is available but like another said a couple of months is not very long. I have never gotten more than 3 years from a battery until I went to the Red Tops. I had a 93 Toyota 4x4 and when I wrecked it the Red Top battery was 6 years old. My wifes car has a Red Top that's 7 years old now. My GMC Z-71 Red Top is also 7 years old. My Tacoma Red Top is only 1 year old. But I do hope your batteries are just as good or even better.

 

I love Optima Batteries. I have one and I have nothing but great things to say. It starts without any problems. I have actually taken the battery out of the trunk and used it to jumpstart other batteries, then hook it back up and roll off. I have had my battery since 2007 Summer. Best 378.00 ever spent.

 

You must have more than one for $378.

 

That included the conversion kit and the tray holder..

 

I needed no conversion kit or new tray holder. Same positive and negitive terminal location as the factory battery too.

 

Mine is a Dodge Charger. Not the Taco..

 

Well before the Deka battery, the starter cranked slower. Sometimes not fast enough and it would stumble alittle before completely running even when it was warm out. Doesn't do it anymore now. About 2 secs or less to start now.

 

Well since we are on the subject of Optima and time...

I've had an Optima in the Chevelle for six years and it still is going strong. Yellow top.

 

That's one of the older Optima's which are supposedly better then the new ones. And Gelo that is the same battery, just labeled different for the seller.

 

I just bought this one for my 4x4 w/tow package. Can you guys please tell me if it's about the right one? thanks in advance.

 

My brother used to run Yellow tops in his grand prix gtp and killed 3 in two years.

 

I have to jump in here. Quick background: I bought my '06 brand new, put 30K on it, then replaced the factory battery with the 31M Blue top dual purpose Optima...died yesterday after 6 years. I'm pretty happy with it's performance...New England winters will hover around zero for a week or more.

I am agonizing over what to replace the Optima with. Optima reviews the last few years have not been favorable since Optima has moved manufacturing to Mexico.

Odyssey has better reviews but I'm NOT spending 4 bills for a large capacity dual purpose battery. I thought about the Odyssey/Sears Diehard Platinum 31M...then I read BlazeTaco's post. It makes sense to me to seek out U.S. manufacturers. The Deka 9A34R is getting my attention. Any thoughts? Any Diehard Platinum 31M owners out there? I'm reading bad reviews about Sears 3 year warranty policy not being honored.

I have the same Optima 31M in my pop-up and would swap the two batteries from time to time. I don't really need the dual purpose battery in the Taco SO I may just purchase the Deka 9A34R and be done...

 

Maybe I'm just stoopid, but I've always bought batteries at wally world. Never had any issues.

 

Maybe I spoke to soon about not needing the dual purpose battery any more. I am replacing the failed factory inverter with a larger pure sine wave inverter. It would be nice to have another dual purpose battery in the Tacoma for the 400 watt stereo amplifier and the 600 watt inverter...

 

I went through 3 Optima's in 2 years. No more for me.

 

A thought about the Deka's. Many of the Harley riders I know won't use anything else. The big twins are tough on batteries. I personally don't ride a HD anymore went to Honda. Got tired of the Harley being in the shop all the time. I did get 114,784 out of it before it had an argument with a black bear. He and I walked away but the HD was toast.

Anyway back to the Deka's they have a great reputation, in fact that's who makes the HD branded batteries.