Dry Cell Battery Benefits (Optima)

I'm looking to hear some technical and specific benefits (or liabilities) to using a dry-cell battery in my Tacoma. Specifically I'm looking at the Red-Top Optima brand as that is the only one I've seen in local stores.

Some background, I've used the Red-Top Optima before and have had good luck with it. Nothing extraordinary. I liked the lack of maintenance aspect. But is it better than a similarly priced wet-cell battery? They run around $120-$150.

I recently bought a 95 Tacoma and was debating if I should continue using dry-cell. I am wanting hard justification to spend the extra cash.

 

The justification is knowing that you are getting the best stuff for your baby. The 675 cca Kirkland costed me like $70 and does everything I need it to.

 

And WHY is it the best? What, specifically makes it better?

 

Well... in the end, it is just a battery. It won't make your car perform better in any measurable way. What makes it different is that it is an AGM or absorbed glass mat battery. Instead of being filled with acid the acid is contained in a "mat". The advantages are a more "efficient" battery that will typically last longer and provide a higher specific power. They use a higher quality lead, can discharge deeper, cannot be spilled and do not need to be serviced.

Basically, it is a higher quality product that, in theory, will outlast your typical flooded battery, though for the last 5+ years Optima (Exide) QC has been questionable.

If you really need the benefit of an AGM battery look into Odyssey batteries. They are generally considered to be a higher quality product, though Optima has incredible name recognition/marketing power.

 

Please see Section 7 in the Car and Deep Cycle Battery FAQ on www.batteryfaq.org for the differences between wet and AGM starting batteries. It really hinges on application and TLC.

 

I've owned both red & yellow. Other than what's already been mentioned....

The Red Top wasn't impressive (to me) compared to the yellow top. It was installed normally in a daily driver and wasn't given any abusive treatment (so to speak). It failed after so many years...not any different than a standard battery.

The Yellow top was installed in our Jeep (offroad rig) and it was one of the best batteries we've owned. It sat in the garage for long periods without being driven - battery never drained. I left my lights on and it drained the battery - charged it up and it was back in business like nothing ever happened. We bought it for the power needed to run a winch - and it handled every situation without a hiccup. We had that yellow in the jeep for probably 6 years and we sold the jeep with the yellow top in it.

If it were me....and I wanted a heavy duty battery for my truck, I'd get the Yellow top.

 

I use a yellow top. Figured I'd give my truck the best. No specific reason, no off roading or any add on accy's that draw amps

 

I put a red top Optima in my lil' 93. Yes was pricey, but was impressed with what I read online. Thought I would 'play their silly game' with its high price. I think it has gone beyond at least one good battery for life as of this writing. Think it went in around 2001. Truck was an outside car then. Garaged now. I do make a point of removing the cables and polishing the terminals once a year.

 

Eleven years is impressive. You will be approaching $10 per year shortly.

 

If you decide to go with an AGM, consider the Sears Diehard Platinum. When I bought one for the wife's car in 2007, the Diehard cost the same as an Optima, had a better warrantee, and performed better in independent test by Consumer Reports.

 

The advantage of a dry cell over a wet cell...
is that the glass mat or gel cell batteries will handle
vibration and jarring better then the a wet cell battery.


^ this is probably more valuable off road... then on.

 

put a red top in my 99 and have drained it to bone death empty atleast ten times.

each time it charges right back up and works like a champ. have never been left stranded because of it.

(my door switch was malfunctioning limiting the ding for headlights left on, just sometimes.)

 

Do you know who is manufacturing the Diehard (Sears) or Durlast (Autozone) branded Platinum flat plate AGM batteries and the length of the free replacement warranties? Normally solid lead plates will handle vibration better that pasted plates, but are more expensive to manufacturer. The thickness of the plates generally will determine longevity for healthy batteries.

 

Have had optimas and like any other battery they can take a crap too.

If you look up reviews and info most have stated their quality took a turn south over the last few years.

Personally I would not buy one again. I went with a top of the line wet unit. Been happy.

Just letting you know to check reviews on non biased places as well to some more info. One of the best places to get a true review is Amazon

 

From Sears:

4-year FREE Replacement, 100 Month Pro-Rated Limited Warranty
740 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) - Reliable starting power in all weather conditions, due to the use of 99.99% pure virgin lead plates and tin-coated brass terminals
100 Minutes of reserve capacity - Ideal for luxury vehicles with multiple electronic accessories
Longer off-season storage time – Ideal for show cars & classic cars
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) construction - Provides mounting flexibility & guarantees longer service life
Worry and maintenance-free operation - High purity grade acid held safely in place by glass mats makes a non-spillable design that gives mounting flexibility
Military-grade construction & proven vibration resistance – Ideal for off road applications

And from what I remember, Odyssey makes the Die Hard Platinum.

The Dura last has 3 year free replacement...not sure about the other details. Feel free to check out Auto Zone's website.