bad optima battery...any other negative experiences?

[Mark R]

Yes, I do think Optimas are much more tolerant of "abuse," but severe
battery abuse is what I've seen kill them (i.e. contrary to marketing
hype, they're still a battery).  =)
I have an impression, perhaps a false one, and no real data to support
it... that the Original Optimas seem to last longer than the ones from
the past 5+ years that Johnson Controls has owned the company.  Again,
this impression is so fleeting, maybe it's not even worth bringing up.
I've not seen (yet I've asked for) charging rate instructions.  All
I've ever been told is "you can maintain and use an Optima battery
just like any other battery, except you now have a superior product." 
Yes, marketing speak, at best.

Interesting test of Yellow Tops:
http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/energystorage/pdfs/evs_17paper.pdf

I also notice several charger manufactures and battery testers now
have an AGM setting on thier units.  I've not done any research or
have any experience with them.  I don't have time today to research,
but I have been curious as to what the "AGM" settings accomplish.

Mark Rosenkrantz

> 
> Well, if it was slowly discharged and then charged back up by jumping and
> then running the car...yeah, that certainly could fry the battery,
> although I would expect Optimas to be more tolerant of this than other
> batteries, since plate surface area is so high.
> 
> Does Optima have any charging guidelines for the red top, ie recommended
> charging rate?  Haven't seen any on their site- did you get anything as a
> dealer?
> 
> Brett