Re: Optima Red Tops
[Re: RPM Motorsports]
#1378611
01/30/13 04:42 PM
01/30/13 04:42 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 685 Bismarck, ND USA
cageman
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 685
Bismarck, ND USA
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a hundred bucks, wow, that seems to be excessive. I paid 150 each for three of them not to long ago from my local sams club. Only battery I will own, and I have twenty of them, at least. I did blow the top off of one (actually, just the little vent blew out), so I threw a wet cell in there to diagnose why my alternator went crazy, and that battery boiled over and made a huge mess, where the red top optima only just had a sulfer smell, no paint eating aluminum etching acid all over like that stupid wet cell. All of my battery clamps look great on all my optimas, but my wet cell cars have crappy looking wiring, and the clamps look to be in bad shape. So why anyone would even consider a wet cell is beyond me.
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Re: Optima Red Tops
[Re: RPM Motorsports]
#1378612
01/30/13 04:43 PM
01/30/13 04:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,784 Corpus Christi, TX
shanker
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,784
Corpus Christi, TX
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I think they're worth it myself...I own 5 optima's ( 4 red tops & 1 yellow top)
I buy mine used from the local Interstate Battery for about 50 each. The oldest used one I have I bought in 2005 and it's still going strong in my daily driver (F150)
I also have a CTEK charger that I use to keep them conditioned properly
The Federal Government has not yet learned that you cannot legislate morality
1970 Coronet R/T FF4/FF8/V85/V1G 440/Auto/3.23
1970 Coronet R/T FK5/FK5/V8W/V1W 440/Auto/3.55
1970 Super Bee TX9/TX9/V8W/N96 383/Auto/3.91
1975 Duster 360 VS29L5 Daily Driver
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Re: Optima Red Tops
[Re: azmopar]
#1378614
01/30/13 05:01 PM
01/30/13 05:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,567 Ky
jt4406
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,567
Ky
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Had one in my 70 Buick 455 Skylark since 1999, finally died this past fall. I will buy another. Jess in ky
Yeah, it's hopped up to over 160...
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Re: Optima Red Tops
[Re: lewtot184]
#1378617
01/30/13 10:47 PM
01/30/13 10:47 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168 Vancouver, WA
MoparMarq
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,168
Vancouver, WA
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Red top in RR now. Had Red Top in Toyota for a few years - lasted about 6 years. Quality reputedly is hit/miss since they were purchased by Johnson Controls (IIRC). Wet cell in Toyota now, as not sure how long I'll keep the car. Got one of these rebadged Odyssey batteries batteries in wife's DD (Acura). Really happy with it. AGM is the only way to go. Terminals, j-bolts, strap are as clean as the day I put the battery in the car last spring. For me, that benefit alone is worth the price of admission.
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Re: Optima Red Tops
[Re: MoparMarq]
#1378618
01/30/13 11:12 PM
01/30/13 11:12 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822 Colorado
denfireguy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
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Quote:
Red top in RR now. Had Red Top in Toyota for a few years - lasted about 6 years. Quality reputedly is hit/miss since they were purchased by Johnson Controls (IIRC). Wet cell in Toyota now, as not sure how long I'll keep the car. Got one of these rebadged Odyssey batteries batteries in wife's DD (Acura).
Really happy with it. AGM is the only way to go. Terminals, j-bolts, strap are as clean as the day I put the battery in the car last spring. For me, that benefit alone is worth the price of admission.
Yes, they are now owned by Johnson. The battery technology was developed originally by Gates Rubber Company in Denver.
2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado
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Re: Optima Red Tops
[Re: RPM Motorsports]
#1378621
01/31/13 05:59 PM
01/31/13 05:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531 Jacksonville, FL
Chris2581
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,531
Jacksonville, FL
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I have 4 red tops,and like most here,no problems.I like the fact there is no leakage and no corrosion. Advance Auto Parts sells them and most of the time they have a 15-20% discount if you order online.You can order and pickup at the store closest to you.
Nautilus Racing- We use Superformance gaskets and Turbo Action converters/products.
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Re: Optima Red Tops
[Re: Chris2581]
#1378622
01/31/13 06:24 PM
01/31/13 06:24 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822 Colorado
denfireguy
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,822
Colorado
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Quote:
I have 4 red tops,and like most here,no problems.I like the fact there is no leakage and no corrosion.
Advance Auto Parts sells them and most of the time they have a 15-20% discount if you order online.You can order and pickup at the store closest to you.
Thanks for the tip, I always wondered what those coupons may be good for!
2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado
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Re: Optima Red Tops
[Re: denfireguy]
#1378623
02/01/13 11:49 AM
02/01/13 11:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,907 Athens, Greece
Pyper70
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,907
Athens, Greece
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Have 2 red tops. One is dead, other is holding on.
One that works is in a 92 GMC safari. Had it since 2005. Had one in my 69 Charger. Bought that one in 2003. It lasted all of 4 years, it was on a battery disconnect, always tendered. Once you somehow drain a red top, there is no bringing it back to life. I tried the brake light over both poles to "excite" the battery...its now a door stop in the garage. I bought an AC Delco. 700CCA (versus the 960CCA of the optima) I dont have a problem with it. It kicks over my 440 every time with that mini-starter.
Family owned 1969 Charger R/T DualQuad 440/727/GVO/3.55s
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Re: Optima Red Tops
[Re: Pyper70]
#1378624
02/01/13 02:30 PM
02/01/13 02:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,234 Someplace you aren't
SomeCarGuy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,234
Someplace you aren't
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I had a red top that I left the key on for about a week and drained. Had to charge by putting it in series with an old school battery. Alt simply won't charge a dead one, no matter how long you drive. I wonder how many of the bad ones got drained and the guy didn't know about that?
Worked fine for over a year after I did that and was fine when I sold the car. Bought mine in 2008. Ran another in a daily driver from 2006 to 2008 when I sold that car. No problems. I got mine at AZ or Advance.
I want my fair share
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