Are optima yellow tops reliable for under the hood?

[Cassinova 10+ year member]

Are optima batteries good to use under the hood or is it best to go with the red top or another battery like duralast? I have been hearing a lot of mixed comments. Whats your take?

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[thevic24 5,000+ posts]

The Red Top under my hood is 5 years old now. I just tested it at work last Thursday and it still tests as new.

(rated at 980cca, tests @ 1015cca)

My dad still has the same Red Top that came with his Nitro bass boat. He bought the boat in 05 so its 6 years old.

Some people have good luck, some bad.

I have had very good luck with Optima batteries.

 

[OmegaBunny 10+ year member]

I thought yellowtops are better than red tops. Yellow tops are more expensive I believe.

 

[thevic24 5,000+ posts]

Yellow tops are a deep cycle and red tops are a starting battery.

The red tops can charge faster and send power faster(thinner plates) so if you are not going to be running you gear with the

car off, the red will have a slight advantage. IMO.

The yellow tops will last 2X as long with out the car running. They can also be completely discharged many times.

 

[lowriderram_95 10+ year member]

My yellow top has worked for me great the last 3 years

 

[slim2fattycake 10+ year member]

i went through 3 yellowtops in 2 weeks before switching to a duralast gold which lasted me 3 years until i sold it to run all deka just because I wanted to match my batteries.

 

[SourDeez 10+ year member]

Either you have TERRIBLE luck or are just bullshitting because I know multiple people who run Yellow tops (including myself) and never once had them drop any voltage.

I dont think I've ever had my car die on me since I have had it, and I have left lights on over night..

 

[slim2fattycake 10+ year member]

I bullshit you not. I tell this to all those that want to pay for the overpriced optima yellowtops. I'd take the redtop over the yellowtop. Hell, DC Power says to stay away from yellowtops.

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

Optima and. Duralast are both made by Johnson controls. But I've never had any problems with my yellow tops

 

[retrojordans 10+ year member]

I bullshit you not. I tell this to all those that want to pay for the overpriced optima yellowtops. I'd take the redtop over the yellowtop. Hell, DC Power says to stay away from yellowtops.

Dude you are a total moron.

 

[audiophile831 10+ year member]

Ive had terrible luck with all the ones Ive had.. For alot of people they serve them well(Yellow Tops that is)

 

[matt_bennett05 10+ year member]

They're what I'm using... redtop under hood and 2 yellowtops in the rear. I know I need better batts but for what I paid I won't complain one bit.

 

[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

i have ran a few duralast golds they seam to do the job. i have a duralast undermy hood right now.

 

[sdaman05 10+ year member]

my yellowtop hasnt let me down yet...had it for 2 years now... great terminals (both front and top) and it fit right into my stock spots for batteries. i used stinger 0 gauge terminals which work out great. I WOULD get another one if this one craps out..(knock on wood)