Optima or odyssey battery vs conventional.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,934
Likes: 483
From: fairfield, CT
Optima or odyssey battery vs conventional.
I've been looking into battery replacement, and as typical for anything I look up, 50% of the people say they don't like the optima, 50% don't like odyssey, and 50% don't like conventional acid batteries...
And that just doesn't add up.
So, my buddy's car has huge acid damage in the frunk. We are going to pull the battery and remediate the rust. Is it worth replacing the battery (this one is fine) with a gel battery? Or are acid batteries still better over-all? Cold weather, no tender, etc...
I don't like the idea of buying an odyssey and then having to shell out for a rennline fit kit unless the odyssey is really "that good"
I don't like that so many people say the optima fails. But then, acid batteries I have had have failed as well.
And then acid. I just don't like acid leaking and stripping paint and eating the frunk. So if we stay acid, how to avoid this?
And that just doesn't add up.
So, my buddy's car has huge acid damage in the frunk. We are going to pull the battery and remediate the rust. Is it worth replacing the battery (this one is fine) with a gel battery? Or are acid batteries still better over-all? Cold weather, no tender, etc...
I don't like the idea of buying an odyssey and then having to shell out for a rennline fit kit unless the odyssey is really "that good"
I don't like that so many people say the optima fails. But then, acid batteries I have had have failed as well.
And then acid. I just don't like acid leaking and stripping paint and eating the frunk. So if we stay acid, how to avoid this?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 178
From: Texas/France
No acid batteries for me for the past 12 years. Since then, I've had 4 Optimas that have consistently failed prematurely. Some folks love them but I am not a big fan of the brand. I've had a Sears Platinum AGM in my Jeep for the past 8 years, and even after all the abuse I put it through, it is still going strong today. Same for my wife's Audi, I switched to a Sears Platinum 4 years ago and no issues. My $0.02.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,968
Likes: 2,342
From: Cleveland Georgia
I have had great luck with Optima, but recently had my first one fail. It was 4 years old, but I have many Optimas that have been in service for 7+ years without issues.
I won't use conventional batteries due to the acid risks, all it takes is the alternator over charging to create a "situation" with rust that I'd rather avoid.
I won't use conventional batteries due to the acid risks, all it takes is the alternator over charging to create a "situation" with rust that I'd rather avoid.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 767
Likes: 16
From: Texas
I have to say, I haven't had any batteries last five years like they used to. Years ago, I had an Optima last nine years, then I got scared and replaced it. More recently, I've had botrh Optima and Odyssey (rebranded as Sears Platinum) fail at three years. But, all that said, I'd still rather have them in my cars than a stardard acid battery. Batteries are cheap compared to repairing the paint/body work.
Currently running Sears Platinum (Odyssey) in my other two vehicles and will almost certainly put one in the C2 shortly.
Currently running Sears Platinum (Odyssey) in my other two vehicles and will almost certainly put one in the C2 shortly.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 4
From: NYC
The Interstate battery the car came with died recently and my friend talked me into the Duralast Gold battery from Autozone. It doesn't start as crisp as usual but so far has been ok. I have one of those mats under the battery, but I'm not sure weather it will do more harm or good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 867
Likes: 100
From: Northport, NY
The Interstate battery the car came with died recently and my friend talked me into the Duralast Gold battery from Autozone. It doesn't start as crisp as usual but so far has been ok. I have one of those mats under the battery, but I'm not sure weather it will do more harm or good.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 4
From: NYC
Aside from my friend having a good experience with his own battery, his other selling point was being to walk into many of the autozones and get a replacement. I believe its something like lifetime warranty but in reality is around five years.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 218
Likes: 5
From: Denver
The first Optima red top I had went about seven years before I decided to replace it before it failed. The new red top is 2.5 years old and performing fine. It is nice to look at the top of the battery and see no acid staining or corrosion on the terminals. As someone else mentioned all batteries fail (usually at the most inconvenient time). In my other cars I have gone through premature replacements with Interstate, Duralast, etc. so if the Optima fails at some point soon I wouldn't be shocked.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,695
Likes: 69
From: Arizona
If you drive the car consistently an optima red top is a great choice. But they do not like to sit with a drain. They are hard to get back from a deep discharge and trickle chargers don't seem to keep a 964 fully charged. Not a good choice for a garage queen. The blue top is better if the car sits on a trickle charger. The odessy is a good battery but you have to keep on top of it as well, but I've had better luck recharging them after deep discharge. On the racecars I pull the disconnect they start perfectly after sitting for extended periods. I put a full size interstate gel in the BMW three years ago and it has been flawless....
