Do I want an Optima?

[Kevin Smith]

All of the Optima line of batteries are excellent, but you have to be sure
what you will be using them for to make the right selection. The red top is
a "starting battery", used as a replacement for a standard car battery
basically. They are not tolerant of frequent discharge and recharge, so
don't buy one if you regularly leave your vehicle sit long enough for the
battery to die. If you deep cycle the reds they will not last very long at
all. I went through 3 in less than 9 months once, due to them draining and
requiring a jumpstart or rapid charge to get going. If you have a large
stereo system or lots of accessories, don't get the red top. If you have
just the basic vehicle and you're just going to be using the battery to
start the car, no worries at all. If you are going to park the car for an
extended time, disconnect the battery first, or if you don't then be sure
you SLOW charge it before you use it again. The reds are excellent for
starting purposes, and almost can't be beat (that's why they're so popular
in racing applications), and they'll take a heck of a lot of abuse (other
than the deep cycling). 

If you have a large stereo or have issues with bad charging system, or the
battery dying and requiring a lot of jumpstarts, etc., get a YELLOW or BLUE
top. These are deep cycle batteries, and they can tolerate the constant
fluctuation of voltages. Personally, for the price, I'd buy a yellow or blue
anyway, just because they're a better battery overall.

Exide makes a similar sealed lead acid battery too, and you can get them
from Checker or other auto parts stores still I believe, and they're a lot
cheaper, and would more than serve the purpose for a "starting" battery. 

I would definitely go with a sealed battery versus another vented in your
application though. When mine goes in my A6, it's getting a sealed
replacement. 


-----Original Message-----
From: quattro-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:quattro-bounces at audifans.com] On
Behalf Of David Ullrich
Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 3:47 PM
To: Q-list
Subject: Re: Do I want an Optima?

I would agree witht the others about Optimas being safe for in compartment
use as long as not over charged. But I would also concur with those who have
said they havent had much luck with them. I know several of my FLAPS and my
local Battery Plus store have stopped carrying them due to frequent failures
well within the the free replacement persiod. I personally have had very
good luck with them, but Ive only had 2 and both were red-tops bought back
in the mid 1990s and BOTH are still going strong over 10 years later. So,
newer ones may be of different quality. YMMV

Dave
1987 CGT 2.3
SE VA