Franks928s

I, too, ran into confusion dealing with the interstate customer service staff. They could not reference a 7586DT. After pulling teeth, they identified 2 models - one less CCA and a smidge lower in height. Stats as follows:

SC34U 800 CCA 10" L 6 7/8 W 7 13/16 H
SC75U 720 CCA 9 5/16 L 6 13/16 W 7 5/8 H

The recommended battery for my 87 S4 is a MTP-93 with 850 CCA so I assumed (maybe incorrectly) that the 720 CCA option would not be the best choice??? But there is almost a 1/4" difference in height of the two they ended up suggesting. Others thoughts?? Frank

SQLGuy

A friend of mine worked for Optima for a couple of years up in Denver. What he had told me was that, among other things, they do some sort of reverse depletion on their plates when making the batteries, so that, for the first year or so, they're actually getting stronger, before they start to lose capacity like regular batteries do from day one. Not sure if other AGM's do similar things.

The other thing he was impressed with was an ad they had done with a gunfighter and an Optima. The gunfighter says something like, "This town ain't big enough for both of us." Then shoots the Optima. They then took the battery, with a .38 hole in it, hooked it up to a car, and started it up. That wasn't what impressed him. What impressed him was that they put that battery on a shelf (not on charge or anything) and took it down every six months or so, hooked it up to a car, and started it. They had been doing that for a couple of years when he started with them, and the battery was still able to start cars.

So, if your shark is likely to get shot in the battery, you might need an Optima. ;-)

Hold On

I have purchased hundreds of Optimas. Cranking and Deep cycle. (I have 150 houseboats). They are good batteries for certain uses. My 928 is not one of them. The single benefit I have come across is the fact they have no liquid acid and can be mounted in any position. I do have one in my Jeep specifically for safety reasons. Nothing worse than hanging upside down by the seat belts and having battery acid running down your leg towards the boys !! The cost and mods needed don`t make them cost effective for my 928. Just my opinion.....and I could be wrong.

S4ordie

Anyone know why this thread was closed?

Franks928s

Somehow me or the forum lost the reply I am submitting again

I spent consdierable time with the Optima tech line today on the phone - very accomodating and informative. What I've concluded:

1. 928 members on Rennlist referenced Red Top model 75/25; qualififed that the positive cable MAY need to be extended or perhaps use a reverse terminal battery placing the ground terminal closer to the ground strap in the 928. Some stated they insulated the top terminals from the metal lid with rubber and/or plastic

2. Red top dimensions for the 75/15 are 9 3/8" L 6 13/16" W and 7 3/4" H; terminals on both side and top; CCA 720, CA 910

3. Optima makes the same battery (CCA/CA) with the terminals on top reversed, no side terminals and the both the height and width are 1/16" longer then the 75/25. This model is the Red Top 35.

4. Both Red Top models are considered starting batteries and average 12.8v; average retail ~$159

5. Optima tech strongly advised the Yellow Top series. The Yellow Top batteries are considered to be both starter and deep cell batteries. if you are running additional audio (ie amps), GPS, Cell phone plug ins, etc. The Yellow Tops average 13.1 V and average retail is ~$200. In other words, if you are running more electronics then your alternator can easily support, the yelow top battery can provide the necessary needed power and recharge faster then the Red Top.

6. Optima Yellow Top Model D35 is what was recommended. Like the Red Top 35, the terminals are reversed and only located on the top of the battery. Additionally, it has the same dimensions as the Red 35. Yellow Top D35 has 620 CCA and 770 CA. The tech stated the cranking power difference between the D35 and the Red 35 or Red 75/25 is insignificant.

7. The Yellow Tops have an additional advantage over the Red Tops as they can literaly be drained/recharged hundreds of times more then the Red Tops.

8. Both Red and Yellow have full replacement warranties for 3 years contingent upon you saving your sales receipt.

9. Optima will send to you (upon your request from Company) plastic terminal screw tops to serve as an insulator. They are free. Optima resellers sell a full plastic top for these batteries for ~$12.

Given the opportunity to purchase either red or yellow for $115 (Read earlier thread in this post), I am planning to purchase the Yellow Top D35 for my 1987 S4 for quite a savings. Hopefully, this note also helps to shed more light to others who may have a similar interest.
Frank

Franks928s

I suggest you email him. I sent my pay pal funds and he confirmed receipt and next steps....

944Cup

my mistake. I inadvertently "closed" the thread and cant reopen. You can email me direct at decals944cup@aol.com with any questions. tks.

944Cup

Certs have been emailed.

Alan

Unfortunately if the battery voltage is higher the recharge time will likely be longer since the charging current is primarily dependant on the battery internal resistance and the voltage difference (Batt - Alternator set point).
Stock GTS battery is 650CCA (ignore CA its not a meaningful comparison)... I'd be looking for the same or more...

I'd say this is a bit oif a painful advantage... if you totally deplete the battery you are likely stranded for a while - so it would be much better to fix whatever causes this... In normal use it should not be a consideration.


I'd say the most obvious thing to me is that your battery will die at an unpredictable time in an unpredictable place.. for me that will happen every few years or less (hot hot hot here).

When it happens (not if)... I want to have a battery with a good warranty that I can get replaced with no hassles anywhere in the country easily & quickly, nearby on any day of the week.

Having a special battery simply reduces the ease with which I can get it replaced. Are there other benefits of a special battery... for me - simply no. I think for 99% of people the answer is probably also no.

Now I do also have a gel cell battery - but only in a back-up capacity. I would not chose one as primary for these reasons - for me its really a consumable - pretty much like tires (1-2 years use)

Alan

AO

Ironically, the OP (Big Dave) is now general counsel for the company that makes Optima batteries. He could probably get us all really awesome discounts if you know the secret handshake.

JPTL

Is that a Crest-embroidered Ostrich isolation pad?

Big Dave

JPTL

Frank, thanks for doing the research and posting.
Alan, I see your point:
Going on the assumption that the critical battery demands that our cars rely on most is CCA, not substantial draw after startup:
Unless you're the kind who frequently leaves your headlights/parking lights on; or likes to sit in your car, engine off/stereo on, while surveiling your ex, or waiting for your wife to come out of Macy's, the deep cycle advantages of the Yellow top probably don't outweigh the 100 less CCA than the red top. Regardless, you're still sitting there with a dead battery & a car in need of a jump. Just a tad-healthier battery with the Yellow. Right?
Regarding CCA, my Duralast 38D is rated at 700 CCA. When new in its healthiest state, I have to say that my GT seemed to need every bit of that 700 to turn over that wonderful engine without a digital dash-flash. I'm not sure that trading off 80 CCA for deep cycle qualities is a tradeoff that makes sense to me.
& I have to say that everytime that I've started my car with a weaker than optimal battery, and got a resulting digital dash-flash, I felt as though I was taking a week off of the life of my original LH. Just seems like bad Mojo.

I'm asking these questions because I'm not contemplating an Optima; I've bought an Optima. I'm contemplating a Yellow or a Red, since I've already gotten my certificate from Cup Daddy (thanks, BTW).

Charles Parkinson

I had an optima red top in my GTS. i initially thought it wouldn't fit due to lenght of positive lead but it was *just* long enough on my car. Cheers, Charles

JPTL

Based on Frank's info and the Optima spec sheets for the Red Tops, and assuming that the reach from the positive lead to the terminal is tight, I'm going with a reverse-post configuration; model 35 (p/n 8020-164).
The reason for this choice over the 75/25 is that internally, both appear to be identical spec. wise. The casing is almost exactly the same as well.
So the only difference between the two is the post configuration.
The opening for the positive terminal lead in my GT's battery box is offset to the right a tad (see pic), and seems to favor a battery with a positive post on the right - or at least right of center. The positive post on the 35 is slightly offset right from center.
A post left of center (like with the 75/25) would be more of a reach.

Being that the height to the top of the posts is just over 7 1/2" I can see how it's critical to insulate the metal box cover from the positive terminal.

Here are the spec sheets for each battery BTW:
35
75/25