Which battery?

With your winch, Optima's Blue Top or Yellow Top deep-cycle/starting batteries would be a good choice, the Red Top would not since Optima will not warranty it if a winch is connected to it. The Blue Top is exactly the same as the Yellow Top internally and only varies by the external case color and connectors. The extra top post on the Blue Top is suitable for connecting a winch to, a winch cannot be connected to the side posts that come on the Yellow Top since they cannot handle the amount of current a winch can draw (in excess of 400 amperes). I'm real happy with my two year old second Yellow Top, my first Yellow Top lasted around five years with lots of winching under its belt before I replaced it just to make sure it didn't strand me in the middle of the desert.

Jerry

Carl Saiyed wrote:

Thanks, Jerry. Based on your reccomendation and various articles I found on the internet, I think I'll be going with the Yellow Top.

Thanks again,

Carl

Great... but I'm just curious why you chose it over the Blue Top that makes connecting a winch easier?

Jerry

Carl Saiyed wrote:

Hi Carl:

Just went through the exercise today for my 89 LTD.

I had planned on buying the Optima (red 34 - that's what Optima told me) even thought every battery shop I went to told me the Optima wasn't worth the money. As I was going out the door, I remembered that Costco sold batteries so I went out for a look and ended up buying a 'Kirkland' (the Costco brand) battery that has significantly higher rated CCA than the Optima (which incidentally was also available at Costco) for 1/2 the cost, but with an almost identical warranty. I saved $80 over the Optima. So far I'm happy, but then, I've only had the battery in the truck for about 4 hours now :)

The blue and yellow top Optima's are for 'deep cycle' applications, not for starting (although I guess they'd work).

Was it also the same design as an Optima? Or is it a conventinal battery?

Thanks,

Carl

Oops! I meant blue top. However, I am considering the 1000CCA conventional battery, as the 700CCA Die Hard did pretty good, although the last bought with winching is what put it 6 feet under..

Will a 1000CCA conventional battery cut it?

Thanks,

Carl

Yes both the Blue Top and Yellow Top are also considered a starting battery as well. They are a combined 'SLI' (starting, lights, and ignition) as well as being a deep cycle. They are not a standard deep cycle that would not be a good choice for a vehicle. Go to

Jerry

Cherokee Boy wrote:

Sure. An 'Optima' is just a cool looking battery with no fall back in case of over charge because it has no free acid you can top up when it boils dry.

They also have a crappy warranty if you get the blue top and they break internally just as fast and easy as conventional batteries from my experience. Well maybe a bit longer, but that is subjective according to trail use in the time period.

I was given one and bought one and I will never buy another. I will stick to the chain store brand with the highest CCA and best warranty I can get. That way I can easily get it replaced free even on a Sunday when I kill it. I did notice my favorite chain store has spiral cell ones too now so I might see what they offer on warranty and price next time, but an 'optima', no way.

Mike

Carl Saiyed wrote:

I would have gone to the Blue Top for my second Optima but I already had a good wiring setup that gets around the sidepost issue.

Jerry

twaldr> and why _you_ did, as well...

Optimas don't actually have any loose acid in them, right? I thought they used a paste or gel. I wasn't going to spend the money but I got one on sale last year CHEAP and their propaganda said it could go easier on your electrical system since paste batteries charge faster and with less load. I have a red top since I'm never getting a winch and it's worked fine for me, but I'm not really beating on it either.

Matt

Mike Roma> Sure. An 'Optima' is just a cool looking battery with no fall back in

I've had my red top for 5 years now in the Az. heat. Beat the crap out of my jeep, killed the battery several times and it still has yet to fail me. Nick

They are still a lead acid battery, the coils are packed so tight it is all absorbed into them.

Mike

" snipped-for-privacy@nospamyahoo.com" wrote:

You may also want to consider the Exide... 1/3 the cost of the Optima (pay for the name) battery. Same technology, same performance:

Where can I buy one?

Thanks,

Carl

I bought two at Sam's Club, ~$55 each.

JimG

Looks like i'd want the D34M if I read right. I been wanting an Optima and I have a winch to wire up yet so I bet this would be a good choice. What did you use for your power distribution setup Jerry? I'll have some radio equipment to hook up as well and i'm curious how you worked it all in on your TJ.

From:

OPTIMA® offers three battery models for your marine and R/V needs: the 34M, D34M, and D31M.

OPTIMA's D34M and D31M BlueTop batteries are dual-purpose batteries. They can be used in any deep cycle (marine accessory, R/V, trolling motor) or starting applications.

OPTIMA's 34M BlueTop battery is a starting battery. Although you can use a deep cycle battery in any application, starting batteries can only be used for starting applications.

Shawn