Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? #2190561
11/06/16 10:53 AM
11/06/16 10:53 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
3
360view Offline OP
Moparts resident spammer
360view  Offline OP
Moparts resident spammer
3

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
What are your good or bad experiences with
non-conventional lead acid battery designs,
particularly in
useable lifespan of the battery
versus buying price?

The spiral internals of the Optima look interesting,
but some reviewers report that they fail soon after the 2 year warranty is up?

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2190565
11/06/16 11:00 AM
11/06/16 11:00 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
M
Mr T2U Offline
master
Mr T2U  Offline
master
M

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
the classic case AGM battery in my 72 roadrunner lasted 15 years before it wouldn't hold a charge properly.
never used a battery tender on it. stored it inside my house during winter storage. springtime i gave it a charge, with a charger designed for AGM battery, before installing it.


perception is 90% of reality
Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2190575
11/06/16 11:12 AM
11/06/16 11:12 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
feets Offline
Senior Management
feets  Offline
Senior Management

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
My original Optima was an awesome piece that lasted 12 years.

The Optima in my truck is 5 or more years old and I'm starting to question its reliability. The truck is rarely driven but has been turning a tiny bit slower when I try to start it.

I, too, have heard some bad rumblings about recent production batteries not lasting that long. The rumor is that they offshored production and used recycled materials that aren't up to snuff.

I can't confirm that.


I can tell you that 3 years is the average service life out of a car battery in north Texas.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2190592
11/06/16 11:31 AM
11/06/16 11:31 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,544
md
M
mopars4ever Online content
I Live Here
mopars4ever  Online Content
I Live Here
M

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,544
md
I had a red top Optima for 10 plus years until my charging system recently started to overcharge and ruined it. Honestly the car sat for long periods and I never really kept it charged like I should have but it still ran strong. I replaced it with another rep top. So far so good.

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2190596
11/06/16 11:38 AM
11/06/16 11:38 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,791
MI, usa
dvw Offline
master
dvw  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,791
MI, usa
My experience has been they last a long time. Last one I killed lasted 13 years. I have also learned I don't car for them in a race car that requires charging. The reserve capacity isn't great enough. They don't regain a lot of capacity unless slow charged. Therefore if you run a small alternator and big power draw they didn't like to go more than a few days of racing with out a slow charge. That made 3 day and some 2 day events tough unless you could plug in the charger or run the generator over night.
Doug

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2190690
11/06/16 01:49 PM
11/06/16 01:49 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
M
Mr T2U Offline
master
Mr T2U  Offline
master
M

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
one thing to remember about AGM battery is proper charging.
a regular battery charger won't charge them without a special process.
you ether attach a good battery to the AGM one with good jumper cables. then hook the charger to it or use a charger designed for them.
special AGM chargers have dropped in the last few years. getting the proper one is reccomended.

also if you have a low battery in your car the alternator might not charge it properly.


perception is 90% of reality
Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2190802
11/06/16 05:08 PM
11/06/16 05:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,363
Cotati, CA
Dave Hall Offline
top fuel
Dave Hall  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,363
Cotati, CA
I've had Optima yellow and red tops all work great for years. I was completely satisfied with paying a little higher price for them.

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2190851
11/06/16 06:57 PM
11/06/16 06:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
3
360view Offline OP
Moparts resident spammer
360view  Offline OP
Moparts resident spammer
3

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
Any experiences with the Blue Top Optimas?

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2190882
11/06/16 07:44 PM
11/06/16 07:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,363
Cotati, CA
Dave Hall Offline
top fuel
Dave Hall  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,363
Cotati, CA
I had those in my boat as well, lasted all the 8 years that I owned it. It was a v-drive that got very little use.
[img]https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t...amp;oe=588B1D1F[/img]

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2190884
11/06/16 07:48 PM
11/06/16 07:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,644
So Near, Yet So Far
topside Online content
Too Many Posts
topside  Online Content
Too Many Posts

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,644
So Near, Yet So Far
I got almost 10 years out of one, 7 so far on another.
I usually get 5-7 years out of any battery - except ones I bought from WalMart, those either leaked or died within a year - as I put trickle chargers on them, but I use the Optimas for cars where I want no chance of any damage from terminal corrosion or acid.
Schumacher has a trickle charger that also works on AGM, and I saw the other day that Duralast (AutoZone) also sells one. Usually around $28.

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2191203
11/07/16 03:25 AM
11/07/16 03:25 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 125
Iowa
D
dsp Offline
member
dsp  Offline
member
D

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 125
Iowa
I still have the very first AGM battery I purchased - it's now 16 years old! I've also installed a few Die Hard Platinum (Odyssey?) batteries in family members cars. I'm bummed that Sears quit selling the Die Hard Platinum. AGM batteries do require a special charger.

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: Mr T2U] #2191210
11/07/16 04:25 AM
11/07/16 04:25 AM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,847
Oakdale CT
gdonovan Offline
I Live Here
gdonovan  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,847
Oakdale CT
Originally Posted By Mr T2U
the classic case AGM battery in my 72 roadrunner lasted 15 years before it wouldn't hold a charge properly.


I got 13 months out of mine purchased in 2012.




"I think its got a hemi"
Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2191765
11/07/16 09:30 PM
11/07/16 09:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,967
S.I. N.Y.
1MYTGTX Offline
master
1MYTGTX  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,967
S.I. N.Y.
Im on my second one of these beauties after 10 years...



1MYTGTX
Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2191858
11/07/16 11:25 PM
11/07/16 11:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531
Jacksonville, FL
Chris2581 Offline
master
Chris2581  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531
Jacksonville, FL
12 years on a red top Optima. I let it go with the truck when I traded it in,and so far the new owner still is using it.


Nautilus Racing-
We use Superformance gaskets and Turbo Action converters/products.
Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2192089
11/08/16 11:50 AM
11/08/16 11:50 AM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
3
360view Offline OP
Moparts resident spammer
360view  Offline OP
Moparts resident spammer
3

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,162
USA
Anyone have experience with the Exide built AGM batteries?

Notice their graphs

http://www.exide.com/Media/files/Downloads/TransAmer/Products/Edge6pgMKTG27830_8-14.pdf

The local Rural King store stocks these

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 1MYTGTX] #2193442
11/09/16 09:00 PM
11/09/16 09:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 338
Montreal Quebec
STROKIE Offline
enthusiast
STROKIE  Offline
enthusiast

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 338
Montreal Quebec
Originally Posted By 6T9_CHARGER_RT
Im on my second one of these beauties after 10 years...



up

I have the same lightweight (26 pounds) battery on my 11.5 to 1 451 since 8 years...

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2193468
11/09/16 09:37 PM
11/09/16 09:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
M
minivan Offline
master
minivan  Offline
master
M

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
Originally Posted By 360view
Anyone have experience with the Exide built AGM batteries?

Notice their graphs

http://www.exide.com/Media/files/Downloads/TransAmer/Products/Edge6pgMKTG27830_8-14.pdf

The local Rural King store stocks these


EVery time I had a problem battery it was an Exide...

Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: minivan] #2193493
11/09/16 10:04 PM
11/09/16 10:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
feets Offline
Senior Management
feets  Offline
Senior Management

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
Originally Posted By minivan
Originally Posted By 360view
Anyone have experience with the Exide built AGM batteries?

Notice their graphs

http://www.exide.com/Media/files/Downloads/TransAmer/Products/Edge6pgMKTG27830_8-14.pdf

The local Rural King store stocks these


EVery time I had a problem battery it was an Exide...



I've been looking at one of those for the Imperial.

It just so happens that we replaced one at work. I saw it in the core pile and the date on the battery was March 2016. I pulled it and took it home. If I can get it to take a charge I'll bring my old battery in as a core.

It had 11.7 volts on it when I put the intelligent charger on it last night. The battery went up to 13.1 volts before I took it off the charger and was at 13.0 when I left this morning.
I'll check it when I get home to see if it's still holding 13 volts.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: feets] #2193518
11/09/16 10:25 PM
11/09/16 10:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
M
minivan Offline
master
minivan  Offline
master
M

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
Worse one was a brand new battery in my freshly restored 77 stepside.. I kept on having voltage and low battery problems and the battery checked out good every time..

The Battery sales guy finally pulled the battery and checked each cell with a "float"? tester.. Had a bad cell...

DSCF0226.JPG
Re: Your experiences with Optima/Odyssey/AGM lifespans? [Re: 360view] #2193852
11/10/16 12:17 PM
11/10/16 12:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
feets Offline
Senior Management
feets  Offline
Senior Management

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,063
Irving, TX
I'm waiting for my new adopted AGM battery to stabilize at 12.5 volts without a load on it. It's still a bit high at 12.9 volts.

So far, I think it's a good battery. I'll let it sit until Saturday when I can drop it in the truck and chase down the draw that is killing the current battery.


We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
Page 1 of 2 1 2






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1