Optima Yellow Top

[SicMonte]

are these really worth the $$$??? The one to fit my car is pn D3478. Anyone out there have any experiance with these batteries?

I have an 88 monte carlo ss...with an MSD HEI ignition, and I just recentlly put in an 800 watt power inverter. The guys at my work are saying I need a yellow top battery...but im not sure.

If there is a dealer out there selling them...let me get a price.

[zbugger]

Well, I have experience with one of the Red Top batteries. I've had it for a few years, and it lasted me at least 3 in a daily driver. It was still in the car and good when I stopped driving the car. I have a yellow top for it now as I've got upgraded ignition and audio in the car. Oh, and high power headlights too. Everyone has a different experience though. I think they're worth it because I drove 10 miles home with no alternator, at night, headlights, wipers, radio on, and no trouble at all after that. I was amazed to say the least.

[Goatman]

I've got 4 right now. Oldest is 10 years, newest is 3, but never been used.... The 10 year old one I had in two different race car trailers, both were used for hydraulics and winches and I think I charged it once in 4 or 5 years... Its now in my daily driver and it fires everyday.


All still work like a charm, and some of my vehicles sit for months at a time, even in winter and they always start.

Two things I'll never do without again, Optimas and Amsoil.

[chicane67]

One word... yes.

I have had a yellowtop in my daily driver for 10 years. What is really amazing is that in 2000, while chasing Ivan in the Baja2000... my battery hold down went tits-up and the battery migrated into the powersteering pully. Long story short... it cut into a cell roughly 3/4" while bouncing around the engine compartment.

Amazingly enough, it still lives. After what I have put a few of them through and seen them survive, not to mention their reliablity... I will used no other battery.

[SicMonte]

GOT IT!!!! $145...not a bad price!!

[TPI Monte SS]

Nice, where did you find a Yellow Top for $145??? PM me if you can't publish the vendor's name. :)

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

so how much better is the yellow top than the red?

is it mainly audio?

[SicMonte]

i got it from the interstate battery truck....my shop has an account with them.

[zbugger]

Yellow top is their deep cycle battery. It can take a hit better than the red top as the red top is a starting battery. At least that's what I've been told by those in the know....

[SicMonte]

i'll tell you what...that yellow top is one heavy mutha!!!!!

[Black-Jacket]

i have a 800cca red top in my truck, never had a problem, never needed to plug my truck in once this winter

[jy211]

Got a red top in my camaro and just picked up a yellow top for my 56'...I personally can leave the camaro for 2 weeks and then jump in and it will fire right up no issues...

[Samckitt]

I thought I read somewhere that you have to have a different type of charging system for a deep cycle battery compared to a normal battery. And that they would not charge correctly from a normal alternator?

[jy211]

Found this on their site

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publish/optima/americas0/en/config/product_info/automotive/deep_cycle/technical_specs.html

[chicane67]

so how much better is the yellow top than the red?

is it mainly audio?

The red top doesnt like to be cycled... or driven to low voltage output. The yellow top however... loves it.

We used to use the as the secondary battery in aduio set-ups and 4x4's with welders and winches.. etc etc... and I had to call Optima and ask the question. "Is or will this battery live in a main starting set-up?"

They first squirmed at stating anything as it would go against their warranty (at the time), but then gave in and said... yes, without a doubt..


I thought I read somewhere that you have to have a different type of charging system for a deep cycle battery compared to a normal battery. And that they would not charge correctly from a normal alternator?

In a lead (wet) acid battery, its does make a difference. That type of deep cycle does not like high current charging; it needs to bleed off the gasses; doesnt take heat too well. The sprial cell type doesent care... as it doesnt outgas like a lead wet acid.

[MonzaRacer]

Actually the blue tops are deep cycle batteries.
Yellow tops are a dual role battery, allowing both steady pulls and deep cycles like if you have stereos and such.
I actually have a Blue top blem in my truck right now!