Deciding to get dry cell battery. since my seven has been sitting in the garage and driven around maybe once a month (getting tired of jumping it all the time). thinking of optima. I've ran a search and heard both good and bad. I decided to give the optima a shot. thing is my bay is pretty much in blue trrim so I want to pick up a blue top. all the local stores are really no help and basically treating me like an *** for wanting to put a marine battery in. I do know some people here are running the blue top and was wondering what model you guys are using in your stock location. Really do not want to use a yellow top cause it will really stand out.
Thanks for the help in advance.

 

You can always paint the cover you know

 

true but i figured if there is a blue model that will fit why not cut the middle step

 

If you do not like the color, Optima has new "covers" that you paint and they snap onto the battery. Easy solution, and you can get whatever Optima battery you want. If you were wondering about the size on the blue tops, they are nearly identical to the 35/75 group dual terminal red/yellow tops in most auto parts stores. Only major difference aside from color, it has post and threaded stud terminals.

Vince

 

Just relocate the damn thing to one of the stoarge bins.

 

Instead of buying a $150 battery, it would seem to make more sense to buy a trickle charger instead.....

Frankly, I think there's something wrong with your current battery or your electrical system if you can't start the car up after it sitting a month.

 

I just got a brand new hawker odyssey PC680MJT for about $90 shipped off ebay. It is only 15 lbs and about the size of 2.5 6 volt batteries. Plus, you can mount it any way you want, except upside-down. I would recommend it to anyone w/o a huge electrical load or anyone who ever likes to listen to the radio w/ the ignition off, as there is only 25 min of reserve capacity. They do make bigger odysseys though.

 

actually own a charger its what I use to get it started currently. just getting to be a pain going out there and charging it in order to take for a spin.

I'm pretty sure something is wrong with the battery which is why I want to replace.

Thanks everyone for your help ryn your input is always well respected.

went shopping around decided to go through the optima manual instead of asking a clerk who will only suggest the red top. really want blue top but am now willing to settle for the yellow. the guide only suggest red after just trying to match dim sizes with red top group 35 there doesn't seem to be a yellow that matches either. guess its more research for me

 

optima is great. you wont be disappointed.

 

I've been through two optimas yellows (51r) in one year. Im currently on the third...

 

Think something is wrong with my electrical system? It lasts for maybe a week without me having to charge the battery. Its one reason I carry around a battery jumper with me. BTW, I do have an optima 51r

I'm wondering what can cause the draw. The only things I notice that are still active on my car after shutdown are my alarm and the keyhole lights.

 

I would say so. I've been running a Costco 7-year battery (51R) for two years now, that cost me less than $50 and I've had zero issues with it. My car has been a daily driver, but with many short trips. I even run the fans after shut-off all of the time.

And all of the heat/vibration concerns for lead-acid batteries seem a little unfounded (or at least exaggerated), given the fact that I've had zero issues (knock on wood!) even with running track sessions in 103F ambient heat.

The other problem I have with Odyssey batteries is their weight! A stock replacement-sized battery is 39 lbs, even heavier than stock.

 

does the yellow top 51r fit in stock location?

 

No, I have the Turbojeff Battery Tray.

 

My wuss horror story:
I've found my stock battery leaking copious amounts of acid onto the subframe, which trickled on the fan motor! It stripped the paint off the subframe, and it started to rust. Luckily I noticed it and Krylon'ed it before it got too bad.

 

That's not true. You can find the stories with a search. My leaked as many others did. That is why it was originally cooled by the SMIC duct to the enclosed battery box.

Optima does make a full size reverse terminal replacement battery. My 51R has held up but my 51 on my CRX, well i'm on the 3rd and will get a 4th tomorrow (under warranty).

 

Ok, I'm willing to admit that the problem HAS occured, but I think the nature of the problem is overstated.

For those of you who have had a leaky battery, how old was the battery? I'm guessing the answers I'm going to get are that it was the original or several years old.

Maybe I'm wrong and I'm just fooling myself. But I go over the car regularly and I have Jeff's nice SS battery tray, so if it does start leaking, I should know almost immediately.

 

seven samurai,

If you're not driving the car for a month at a time, try disconnecting the battery while it's sitting. That will keep it from draining the battery. How old is the battery? Do you have an aftermarket alarm? The alarm could be causing the drain, and the battery could just be worn out.

-s-

 

51r with a turbojeff tray is the way to go
just paint the yellowtop if its really gonna bother you that much