When I first started using Optimas in the early 90s, they were awesome. Never an issue with them and they tended to last longer no matter how much I put them through. Somewhere in the mid 2000s I began having issues. They became finicky and unpredictable. Even had a couple that went DOA after only a couple months. Never experienced that issue with them before they restructured and began cutting corners. Johnson controls bought them in 2000 and began building a plant in Mexico under the guise that US manufacturing couldn't meet demand. The Mexico plant was supposed to handle European sales but they quickly overshadowed US efforts and quality control issues began. I have at least a dozen Optimas in my storage container that are all from that period and are dead as a doornail. To buy one today (at their increased price point) is a risk I'm no longer willing to take. Your experience may differ...44bz wrote:Are you in California? I can’t remember. Les Schwab is good for batteries. They warranty everything and they’re products seem decent. I have their 60mo battery in my jeep. It’s only 500 or 600 cca, can’t remember but I run auxiliary lights and a 10k winch off of it with no trouble. I’m also passed the 60 months on it and still going strong.
Optimas are curious to me. Lots of people criticize them as junk from Mexico but I ran a red top in my wrx for four years without issue. My brother has also ran two red tops in his pickup without issue.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A good friend of mine works for Interstate battery. This is exactly correct. Each brand has their own specs that they are supposed to build the batteries to but, as mentioned, quality took a crap when they outsourced.HeavyMetalThunder_81 wrote:I don't remember where I read this, so take it with a grain of salt...but do some research on Johnson Controls. I think I remember reading that they make a vast majority of batteries available today. Including, Optima, Interstate, EverStart, Duralast, and a bunch others that I can't remember.
Honestly, I'd just the largest one (CCA wise) that'll fit in your tray (that has the correct terminals in the right spot) with the best warranty.
Mars wrote:One man's trans leak is another's penetrating oil
where are you getting these from?ghcoe wrote:I have been buying refurbed Optimas since I learned about them about 15 years ago. I did have one that bailed on me about 24 months in, but the rest (3) are at least 4+ years and still going strong. Been picking up the refurb's for $80.00, a good deal to me.
Id like to pick up a couple of the refurbs for my array I am building...Blake wrote:where are you getting these from?ghcoe wrote:I have been buying refurbed Optimas since I learned about them about 15 years ago. I did have one that bailed on me about 24 months in, but the rest (3) are at least 4+ years and still going strong. Been picking up the refurb's for $80.00, a good deal to me.
I have a solar array that is currently powered by 7 Bluetop Optima batteries and I could use more...
I am picking them up from a local battery supplier http://www.sterlingbattery.com/ . They are only local, but you might be able to get the same deal from other battery suppliers. Unfortunately you will just have to call around to find out if they offer them or not. I just called and they have the battery my daughter needs for her car in a blue top, $80.00 exchange.HowardT64 wrote:Id like to pick up a couple of the refurbs for my array I am building...Blake wrote:where are you getting these from?ghcoe wrote:I have been buying refurbed Optimas since I learned about them about 15 years ago. I did have one that bailed on me about 24 months in, but the rest (3) are at least 4+ years and still going strong. Been picking up the refurb's for $80.00, a good deal to me.
I have a solar array that is currently powered by 7 Bluetop Optima batteries and I could use more...