Well, it looks like I am going to need a new battery - but which one.

While I've heard that the quality isn't as good as it used to be, I've been told that Optima Red Tops are still the best bet when price is a consideration, but which Red Top?

Here are the different models of Red Top - basically there are two sizes (Big and Small) and each size comes with either 2 or 4 terminals. I'd imagine that the small one would be listed as "OEM size", but is the big one too big? Which ones do you guys use?

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD class=tableText style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" vAlign=center align=middle width="100%" colSpan=6 height=13>STARTING BATTERIES</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>MODEL NUMBER</TD><TD class=tableText style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>34 & 34R</TD><TD class=tableText style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>75/25</TD><TD class=tableText style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>34/78</TD><TD class=tableText style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>25 & 35</TD><TD class=tableText style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>6V</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>PERFORMANCE</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13></TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13></TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13></TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13></TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13></TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Voltage</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>12v</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>12V</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>12v</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>12v</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>6v</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Cold Cranking Amps @ 0F</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>800</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>720</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>800</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>720</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>800</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Cranking Amps @ 32F</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>1000</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>910</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>1000</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>910</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>1000</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Reserve Capacity</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>110</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>90</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>110</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>90</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>110</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Capacity (C/20 Rate)</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>50</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>44</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>50</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>44</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>50</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Internal Resistance (ohms)</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>.0030</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>.0030</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>.0030</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>.0030</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>.0019</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>PHYSICAL SPECS</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13></TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13></TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13></TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13></TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13></TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Length</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>10"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>9 5/16"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>10"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>9 5/16"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>10"</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Width</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>6 7/8"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>6 13/16"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>6 7/8"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>6 13/16"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>3 9/16"</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Height</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>7 13/16"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>7 5/8"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>7 13/16"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>7 5/8"</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>7 13/16"</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Mimimum Weight (lbs)</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>37.9</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>33.1</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>38.8</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>31.7</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>18.4</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>Type Post/Terminal</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>SAE Post</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>Dual SAE & GM</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>Dual SAE & GM</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>SAE Post</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>SAE Post</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tableText vAlign=center width="28%" height=13>BCI Group</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>34 & 34R</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="18%" height=13>75/35</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="17%" height=13>34/78</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>25 & 35</TD><TD class=tableText vAlign=center align=middle width="12%" height=13>N/A</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2 height=8>





So, for all you guys that have Red Tops, Which one do you have? The big one or the small one?

Thanks!


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I don't have a Optima, but I do have the spiral wound one from Crappy T, I think i paid 130 for it, never left me stranded.

 

I wont buy a CT battery just on principal. They were such a pain in the *** to deal with when I got a faulty battery from them that I wont buy another. Besides, the Federal Battery near my place is selling the Red Tops for $127.08.

 

Well can't go wrong then, Crappy T in small towns is much better, they know me by name, but I do spend way too much time in there...

 

Wow, with prices like that, how can you not opt for the Red Top?

Mine is a C-Tire battery, and so is my friend Joel's. The CT in Aylmer is good at replacing it. Joel left his on cement out in the snow over the winter and it split at the sides. He brought it in, they put it on the tester and said "Yeah, you've got a month left in your warranty and it wont' charge, so here's your new one, along with 3 more years of warranty".

So that's why I don't mind having a bargain bin $99 CT battery.... but crap man, if you have the choice of getting a Red Top, I can't help with which one to choose, but go for it!

Jon

 

Dont even bother buying a Diehard. they will NOT warranty the battey no matter what happens. they will make up something stupid like your cars to old so we cant warranty it. I had a bad experience with a 12 month old bettery from them. They threw me out of the store b/c i was telling them that their warranty was a joke wver since cal tire bought out sears. I felt like throwing the thing through their front window.

J

 

LOL - I had the same experience at CT! The funny thing is that I went to Sears for a warranty on my beater's Die Hard and they were awesome - even gave me a free upgrade. I guess it depends on who is working at the time.


That said, anyone with a Red Top - which one do you have?

 

i've got a red top in my 84 rx-7 pretty strong and no problems yet ... i've had it for a few months now ... I can't remember which one it is exactly ... its one of the 910 cranking amps. Its was bigger than the stock one so right now its ghetto strapped in there with cables until i can get time to custom fab one. Going to college, and work alot doesn't leave you much time to do things.

 

I think the quality problems with Optima are about over. Many of the EV'ers are switching back after a few years of getting poor results. My very own Red Top lasted only a year under moderate abuse and for what I paid for it (and the poor service from the Optima warranty people) I'll never buy another one...But I think it's generally safe to do so at this point.

My personal recommendation is Deka. Since I have been dealing with Deka I've never had a bad battery in a vehicle (I have a Deka PowerSports in my Insight, and will be putting an Intimidator in the RX-7) nor in the MANY UPS battery replacements I have done.

As far the terminals, all you really need are top posts but I think most Optima (as well as the higher end Deka) models come with both. Group 34 is the common size.

 

I have a blue top that I bought for the racecar but then I was hit by lightning and thought better of putting a 30+ lb. battery in a track car so it's going in the SVT.

Odyssey are sweet: http://www.odysseybatteries.com/specs.htm

When it rains money use: http://www.rockracingbattery.com/

Pricing (example) on Rock's (once known as Reactor): http://performanceunlimited.com/cobr...n/battery.html

 

I use the 75/25 Red Top.

 

If cold starting isn't really an issue (and I don't think it is in Vanc, even if you drive the car year round there), I'd go for the lightest - either the 25-35 or 75-25. Battery weight is ugly weight, up near the nose of the car, where it has the biggest impact on polar moment of momentum (assuming the battery's in the stock location).

 

Holy crap what a price. Doesn't CT quote their spiral battery starting at $199?

I need a new one too so am interested to see the results of this thread.

I always just put in the most cranking amps that will fit in any car I own. Yes you're carrying a little more weight, but I'd rather have the insurance if the car is hard to start some time. Its paid off for me more than once.

Nick: on another subject - there is a GB being offerred on a really fancy alarm system (remembering your past troubles in Vancouver...)

Rob

 

Costco near my house has the 75/25 Red Top on sale right now for $113 - that's where I'm going! I've done some reading and started a similar thread on the BC forum, and everyone seems to say that the 75/25 Red Top is the way to go - size and performance. Now I just have to come up with the money.


Thanks for the heads up! I'll take a look.

I got my old alarm working properly again, and have avoided underground lots etc. For now it has worked (knock on wood), but with things like the battery cropping up, my current alarm may just have to do for now!

 

I believe Walmart sells these too - ballpark same price as Nick86 says for Costco