swftiii

All,

Well, I think my battery has finally given up. I've had the Optima yellowtop (size 35) for about 4 years now (or about that) and before I run out and pick up the same as a replacement, I thought I would see what this group suggests. Is the size 35 the correct one going forward if I replace with an Optima? I ask becuase the sites say different sizes and I want to pick it up on the way home tonight and don't have the dead battery with me.

Car gets driven 1-2 times a week and sees 4 or so track events a year. I usually keep it on a Porsche trickle charger, but not always.

Thanks,

-Skip

tm.cz

The exact topic is on my list also as my battery did not survive the winter.

If you don't mind I slightly hijack your question in hopes that European members might answer the question with reference to Bosch, Varta or other brands sold in Europe

BigMikeATL

The 2 things that kill a battery most are vibriation and dirt on top.

Unless I'm running a winch or a lot of accessories, I don't have a need for a deep cell battery. Most auto store batteries would serve you well and you'll have a much easier time getting it replaced under warranty if needed.

I recently replaced my battery with one from (gasp) Advance Auto. Mainly because Odyssey didn't make one to fit the 964. Optima is a good battery but not nearly as good as they originally were (happens to all good brands when they become popular).

swftiii

tm.cz - no problem

FeralComprehension

According to some posts on the P-parts site the Optima is unchanged; there's a guy who posts there that works for Optima.

Another suggestion I've read recently is the top-of-the-line Die Hard; supposed to be AGM or some such, so no nasty acid venty on your spendy german steel.

Baltic964Cab

Had a Red Top Optima that was stone dead in 3 years. Replaced with Advanced Gold AGM Diehard from Sears - Group Size 48. Sales person said Sears no longer carries Optimas because of all the issues, although they are still listed on their website (which is similar to amazon.com - meaning they list stuff on their website that they do not sell in their stone an mortar stores).

jpar

Once everybody and their brother started carrying Optima quality went way down IMO. You say you drive the car a few times a week and trickle charge it, then you should have no problem with a standard battery. I've been using Bosch for a few years now and they seem hold up pretty well and are reasonably priced.

Silvertarga

I have optima red top in my Pcar, been replaced once under warranty..does sit a little high..hopefully it will give better service life now that I am using a CTek maintainer rather than the cheapie from HFreight that I used (although the cheapie worked well with the WalMart battert I dont think they are good with the Optima)

Have Walmart battery in Volvo wagon, date coded 2005..will be replacing it eventually!

abarthguy

3 to 4 years is not good for a properly maintained battery......

Rocket Rob

FWIW. I got 7 years out of my last Diehard International. I replaced it with a Bosch because my local Sears didn't have what I needed in stock. The Bosch looks the same, except for the stickers.

Note: I use a battery maintainer during winter storage.

napaul

I don't know about the quality of the optimas but last year I replaced mine with an interstate and could not be happier..

BigMikeATL

Sears Die Hard Platinum is made by Odyssey.

I come from the Jeep community who puts their rigs and batteries through hell (not a mall crawler crowd). They have all but given up on Optima for quality issues and most swear by Odyssey. But, they don't make one for the 964.

swftiii

I would really like to get a sealed (AGM) battery, but in looking around it is going to be hard to find one that isn't an Optima because the supply is very low. I have the vent tube in the car (tucked behind the battery), but should I really avoid the non-sealed ones?

Skip

cwrm4

After going through 3 Optimas in like 7 years I bought a Die Hard Platinum AGM for my 964 a year or so ago, fits great.

It also has a 48 month 100% warranty and a pro-rated 100 month warranty. It's not the lightest battery around, however. From time to time Sears will have some pretty significant sales on them.

CBR786

I have a optima yellow top and it sucks. If I fully charge it via my ctek agm function charger it charges fully with no warning lights. I leave the battery on my work bench not connected to anything after 4 days the battery is sitting at 11 volts and not enough power to crank a 50cc moped let alone a porsche.

I also have a calcium cell battery that sits connected for 3 months at a time to my Nissan Navara d22 pick up diesel engine and the engine has failing glow plugs so needs that extra long cranking 3 to 4 ten second bursts on starter to eventually fire and the calcium performs great (varta silver calcium battery)

I am in the camp that optima are over rated and they do gas (NOT SEALED)as when I have mine on the ctek charger I sometimes note small bubbles appearing on the top on the round grey grit stone area I think this is some sort of valve that opens up on charging to let out gases.