Optima Yellow Top

Hi, I'm on my second red top, first lasted 12 years but this one only 6 years. I think it's because at the start of the pandemic I did not drive it much and it discharged a few times. Or it maybe just that its within the expected life range.

I' thinking even for a a starting battery I should get a yellow top because there is only 50A difference on the CCA? Then even if I discharge it a bit it won't reduce the life much.

Thanks

 

The first lasted 12 years because Optima used to be a good brand. Then they were acquired and eventually closed their US plants, moved production to Mexico and started cost cutting and the batteries went down hill and are no longer what they used to be. They are not a recommended brand.

A Northstar battery (Made in the USA) will significantly outperform a yellow top, last longer and have 100 more CCA. See this thread for deep cycle battery recommendations:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-northstar-agm-battery-voltage-booster-upgrade.604478/

 

What Crash said above, an agm with a voltage boost will last a long time and tons of reserve and you can discharge it 50-80% hundreds of times without killing it.

Also, if your truck sits for long periods of time, this is a great charger to top it every month, or so. (they also have a 20A)

https://www.vmaxtanks.com/BC8S1215A-12V-15A-8-Stage-Smart-Battery-Charger-Maintainer-_p_218.html

 

Thanks guys, great info. After researching this it appears the Northstar is a not an easy fit for the Gen 1 (terminals wrong position) not to mention the charging issues.
The Odyssey ODP-AGM35 seems to be a direct fit, but I will take measurements to be sure.

 

Northstar has all kinds, just have to look through their site. Odyssey and Northstar are very similar with CCA and group/size. Looks like they're owned by the same company now.

 

FWIW I've been happy with odyssey the past decade.

 

Just beware, the Odyssey top dimension is about 1/2" shorter than the OEM battery designed for the bracket on gen 1. I tried gluing a small wood block to the bracket angle but finally just drilled the spot weld on the angle piece and welded in the new location. I have seen cars where the batt fell into the fan so for sure on 4WD you want the batt well secured.

Because i had the Optima I had misplaced the original tray and I got a new one but it is not worth $35. It has a very small lip which probably wont catch the batt if it slides over.

I don't understand why they even bother with battery group numbers, it seems like its almost meaningless.