Which Optima Yellow Top?
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: PA
Which Optima Yellow Top?
I have an old Interstate Yellow Top that's ready for replacement. I've called Optima to see what their equivalent is and they can't cross reference the Interstate numbers. As near as I can tell by measuring and the terminals, it's a D34/78.
Searching here, it seems most have installed the D35. Is there and reason I should go with a D35 over a D34? (I obviously don't need the /78 side terminals) Is the D35 bolt in or do I need to modify the hold down?
Searching here, it seems most have installed the D35. Is there and reason I should go with a D35 over a D34? (I obviously don't need the /78 side terminals) Is the D35 bolt in or do I need to modify the hold down?
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Joined: Nov 2009
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From: ontario
I have an old Interstate Yellow Top that's ready for replacement. I've called Optima to see what their equivalent is and they can't cross reference the Interstate numbers. As near as I can tell by measuring and the terminals, it's a D34/78.
Searching here, it seems most have installed the D35. Is there and reason I should go with a D35 over a D34? (I obviously don't need the /78 side terminals) Is the D35 bolt in or do I need to modify the hold down?
Searching here, it seems most have installed the D35. Is there and reason I should go with a D35 over a D34? (I obviously don't need the /78 side terminals) Is the D35 bolt in or do I need to modify the hold down?
this unit is not as heavy not as heavy
SC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,037
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From: DFW
I may be remembering incorrectly, but I thought the difference between the 34 and 35, at least in the red top, was the positive and negative terminals were switched - the batteries were the same size???
My bad. I checked the website and the D34 is slightly larger. I also looked at my installed red top battery, and it is a 75/25 installed backwards so the cables would reach the correct terminals. IIRC I was looking for a D35 at the time because it has the lip on the bottom and right terminal orientation, but could only find the 75/25 that is close to the size of the D35, has the bottom lip, and fits.
My bad. I checked the website and the D34 is slightly larger. I also looked at my installed red top battery, and it is a 75/25 installed backwards so the cables would reach the correct terminals. IIRC I was looking for a D35 at the time because it has the lip on the bottom and right terminal orientation, but could only find the 75/25 that is close to the size of the D35, has the bottom lip, and fits.
Last edited by 97_993C2; Jun 4, 2011 at 10:45 AM.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Vancouver, BC
Drop the Optima, they are crap batteries. When through a few, gave up and went back to the old fashioned reliable lead-acid batteries. The Optima's just seem to fail.
I would not go back to them.
Do a search, there are some threads around as well discussing the "merits". Several people have had issues with short life and failures.
Cheers,
Mike
I would not go back to them.
Do a search, there are some threads around as well discussing the "merits". Several people have had issues with short life and failures.
Cheers,
Mike
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: PA
Well... My current Interstate branded Optima Yellow Top battery is from 2001 and is just now becoming unreliable. I think 10 years is a pretty darn good life for a battery. The unknown is the current quality of the the Optimas. Mine was made in Colorado and the new ones are manufactured in Mexico.
So with a little more research, I've determined that both the D34 and D35 will work, but still not sure which to choose.
D34
750 CCA
42.9 lbs
D35
620 CCA
36.4 lbs
I'll probably just go with the D34 as it the same as the current is a D34/78 unless someone has a good reason not to. I do track the car, but only DE and the 6.5 lbs probably doesn't make a difference.
So with a little more research, I've determined that both the D34 and D35 will work, but still not sure which to choose.
D34
750 CCA
42.9 lbs
D35
620 CCA
36.4 lbs
I'll probably just go with the D34 as it the same as the current is a D34/78 unless someone has a good reason not to. I do track the car, but only DE and the 6.5 lbs probably doesn't make a difference.
Drop the Optima, they are crap batteries. When through a few, gave up and went back to the old fashioned reliable lead-acid batteries. The Optima's just seem to fail.
I would not go back to them.
Do a search, there are some threads around as well discussing the "merits". Several people have had issues with short life and failures.
Cheers,
Mike
I would not go back to them.
Do a search, there are some threads around as well discussing the "merits". Several people have had issues with short life and failures.
Cheers,
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 19
From: DFW
I've read most of the threads about Optima batteries on RL and my personal conclusions are they are very good batteries IF they are not allowed to discharge too much. If they are, then their life will be DRASTICALLY reduced. That is why I maintain mine on a trickle charger whenever my Porsche is in the garage.
I have a red-top in my mostly weekend driver 993 and have been very happy with Optima, but it is only 30 months old so far. A big reason why I decided to try an Optima is the fear, no matter how remote, of possible battery acid spills. I had burn holes in the trunk carpet of my old '74 911 from battery acid.
I have a red-top in my mostly weekend driver 993 and have been very happy with Optima, but it is only 30 months old so far. A big reason why I decided to try an Optima is the fear, no matter how remote, of possible battery acid spills. I had burn holes in the trunk carpet of my old '74 911 from battery acid.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 16,556
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From: Bend, OR
I've read most of the threads about Optima batteries on RL and my personal conclusions are they are very good batteries IF they are not allowed to discharge too much. If they are, then their life will be DRASTICALLY reduced. That is why I maintain mine on a trickle charger whenever my Porsche is in the garage.
I have a red-top in my mostly weekend driver 993 and have been very happy with Optima, but it is only 30 months old so far. A big reason why I decided to try an Optima is the fear, no matter how remote, of possible battery acid spills. I had burn holes in the trunk carpet of my old '74 911 from battery acid.
I have a red-top in my mostly weekend driver 993 and have been very happy with Optima, but it is only 30 months old so far. A big reason why I decided to try an Optima is the fear, no matter how remote, of possible battery acid spills. I had burn holes in the trunk carpet of my old '74 911 from battery acid.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Berkeley Lake, Georgia
Which color OPtima?
From what I gather, if the car has lots of electronic accessories and sits a fair amount of time - go with Yellow..
If DD, go with Red top?
Thanks for any info or opinions on this......
If DD, go with Red top?
Thanks for any info or opinions on this......