Hello, I noticed your conversation involving our products and wanted to offer some assistance. The “refurb” or “reconditioned” batteries naughtyca is buying for $28 are probably deeply-discharged batteries that were mistakenly returned under warranty (most of the “bad” batteries returned to us under warranty are just deeply-discharged). There is no “re-building” involved, just recharging. The core value on a battery is far less than $28, so if someone can properly-recharge the battery, they can more than double their money. If the battery does fine on a load test, it should be ok, but I wouldn't use a battery like that in an application where more than one battery is needed. Because not all batteries are created equally, it is possible that a “refurb” battery could perform better and last longer than a brand-new battery, that wasn't built to the same standards as the refurb.
cbuts, regardless of what the specs on the battery are, you should be considering batteries that are designed and warrantied for deep-cycle use. As long as the battery meets or exceeds your engine's requirements for starting, you don't need to overbuy on cold cranking amps. Just because a battery is an AGM doesn't mean it is designed or warrantied for deep-cycle use (our RedTops are starting batteries, not designed or warrantied for deep-cycle use). All lead-acid batteries, including AGM batteries, can vent in extreme situations. When that happens, the fumes are both flammable and toxic, which is why we always recommend venting batteries mounted in enclosed areas (interior or trunk) to the outside air. All AGM batteries are not created equally either. Many now use recycled lead, which is cheaper than the 99.99% pure lead we use in all of our batteries, but doesn't perform as well or last as long. Most AGM batteries also use intercell welds which are not as robust as the cast straps we use to connect our cells.
If you are running more than one battery in your vehicle, they should either be identical in age, size and type or properly-isolated from each other. I don't know how BCI came up with their battery group size numbers, but they are not related to the physical size of the battery. From smallest to largest, a few of our group sizes include 51, 34, 27 & 31. Group sizes that start with a “7” (75, 78, etc...) indicate a side terminal battery. Those terminals are generally designed for delivering short bursts of energy in starting applications. Top post terminals are more robust and provide a better direct connection to the battery for deep-cycle use, including car audio and other significant accessories, like winches, trolling motors, etc...
As NASTY08IMPALA indicated, Johnson Controls acquired Optima more than 10 years ago, but we still build all of our own batteries in our own facility and they are the only batteries produced there. We never re-label or re-spec our batteries for any of our retail partners. While the quality of our batteries has always been excellent, the batteries we are producing today are the best we have ever made.
Optima does not really sponsor car audio competitors like they do with drag racers, off-road racers, tournament fishermen, etc... but our batteries are still very popular with car audio enthusiasts. We are the largest AGM brand in the world by a large margin and we do have more retailers selling our products, than some brands have batteries to sell.
If someone is serious about car audio (and they are not getting free or discounted product), they should only consider AGM brands that use 99.99% pure lead. If any battery fails from a manufacturing defect, it is likely to do so well within the first year of use, if not the first month. People still get lured into purchasing batteries because of warranties, which are generally a function of marketing. Take a close look at the warranty terms and conditions- Do you have to ship your battery for warranty service? Is your warranty voided if your batteries are found to be discharged below a minimum voltage level? You can view our warranty here.
I know I mentioned it earlier, but it's worth repeating, because I come across a lot of car audio enthusiasts who should know better, but still mount batteries inside their trunk & interior without venting them. Batteries mounted in enclosed locations should be properly-vented to the outside air. When you decide to add a battery in your trunk, you might as well get the biggest you can find, but make sure it has venting provisions.
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
OPTIMA® Batteries (optimabatteries) on Pinterest
cbuts, regardless of what the specs on the battery are, you should be considering batteries that are designed and warrantied for deep-cycle use. As long as the battery meets or exceeds your engine's requirements for starting, you don't need to overbuy on cold cranking amps. Just because a battery is an AGM doesn't mean it is designed or warrantied for deep-cycle use (our RedTops are starting batteries, not designed or warrantied for deep-cycle use). All lead-acid batteries, including AGM batteries, can vent in extreme situations. When that happens, the fumes are both flammable and toxic, which is why we always recommend venting batteries mounted in enclosed areas (interior or trunk) to the outside air. All AGM batteries are not created equally either. Many now use recycled lead, which is cheaper than the 99.99% pure lead we use in all of our batteries, but doesn't perform as well or last as long. Most AGM batteries also use intercell welds which are not as robust as the cast straps we use to connect our cells.
If you are running more than one battery in your vehicle, they should either be identical in age, size and type or properly-isolated from each other. I don't know how BCI came up with their battery group size numbers, but they are not related to the physical size of the battery. From smallest to largest, a few of our group sizes include 51, 34, 27 & 31. Group sizes that start with a “7” (75, 78, etc...) indicate a side terminal battery. Those terminals are generally designed for delivering short bursts of energy in starting applications. Top post terminals are more robust and provide a better direct connection to the battery for deep-cycle use, including car audio and other significant accessories, like winches, trolling motors, etc...
As NASTY08IMPALA indicated, Johnson Controls acquired Optima more than 10 years ago, but we still build all of our own batteries in our own facility and they are the only batteries produced there. We never re-label or re-spec our batteries for any of our retail partners. While the quality of our batteries has always been excellent, the batteries we are producing today are the best we have ever made.
Optima does not really sponsor car audio competitors like they do with drag racers, off-road racers, tournament fishermen, etc... but our batteries are still very popular with car audio enthusiasts. We are the largest AGM brand in the world by a large margin and we do have more retailers selling our products, than some brands have batteries to sell.
If someone is serious about car audio (and they are not getting free or discounted product), they should only consider AGM brands that use 99.99% pure lead. If any battery fails from a manufacturing defect, it is likely to do so well within the first year of use, if not the first month. People still get lured into purchasing batteries because of warranties, which are generally a function of marketing. Take a close look at the warranty terms and conditions- Do you have to ship your battery for warranty service? Is your warranty voided if your batteries are found to be discharged below a minimum voltage level? You can view our warranty here.
I know I mentioned it earlier, but it's worth repeating, because I come across a lot of car audio enthusiasts who should know better, but still mount batteries inside their trunk & interior without venting them. Batteries mounted in enclosed locations should be properly-vented to the outside air. When you decide to add a battery in your trunk, you might as well get the biggest you can find, but make sure it has venting provisions.
Jim McIlvaine
eCare Manager, OPTIMA Batteries, Inc.
OPTIMA® Batteries (optimabatteries) on Pinterest
