Optima Red Top
Optima Red Top This battery is 6 months old and sat for 2 weeks.
Car won't start, but starts after jump box.
Urban Legend = Gel batteries can't sit for long
LS1tech responses to Urban Legend?
Any takers?
Car won't start, but starts after jump box.
Urban Legend = Gel batteries can't sit for long
LS1tech responses to Urban Legend?
Any takers?
Bull, you got too much drain on the battery someplace. I let my batt sit for months, but I disconnect it so theres no drain. When I reconnect it fires right up. I suggest a battery leakdown test.
12 Second Club
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, Missouri
no offence to anyone that loves optima's but in my little over 2 years of parts experience i've taken back more optima batteries than i think i've sold. (some come from other stores) i'll get people that this is their 2nd battery in 3 years that they have had to warrenty out. granted there could be a 1,000 more people out there that i don't get to see because their optima hasn't failed i'm only seeing the worst
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,399
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville, FL
Bring it back to where you bought it and have them load test it - if it fails get a free replacement. I have one in my car now and no problems yet but it's a daily driver. Been through a stock delco and sears diehard gold before this one with only 25K in a warm climate.
Yeah i know i can take it back but I'm wondering if it's really true that they can't sit long.
What's the use of a product with a great warranty if you have to take it back so many times?
What's the use of a product with a great warranty if you have to take it back so many times?
I work at one of the big chain Auto-Parts Stores, and in two years of working there, I can only think of one Optima that we've taken back, and that was because the guy changed his mind.
FWIW, my car sits for two weeks on a regular basis between starts, with everything hooked up, and it always fires right up, like new. And this is with the battery sitting in the back of the car. My Optima is 3 years old.
I would venture to guess that you just got a bad battery. Optima red-tops have a 3 year warranty, take it back whereever you bought it and see if it's bad. If it's good, then you have a drain problem somewhere in the car.
FWIW, my car sits for two weeks on a regular basis between starts, with everything hooked up, and it always fires right up, like new. And this is with the battery sitting in the back of the car. My Optima is 3 years old.
I would venture to guess that you just got a bad battery. Optima red-tops have a 3 year warranty, take it back whereever you bought it and see if it's bad. If it's good, then you have a drain problem somewhere in the car.
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TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,807
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*
actually...GEL BATTERIES keep their charge 2-3 times LONGER than regular ones. THIS INFO I have heard/read many times, many places.
Last edited by NHRAMAN; Oct 6, 2007 at 03:55 PM.
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Verdad Gallardo This is exactly what I needed to hear! I think I do have a drain. This is the 3rd one for me. First time the positive post threads were too ate up so they replaced the battery for me. Second time my alt went out. I rode a long time without noticing. This is the first time I let it sit for longer than a week.
when I got my Red top it was not good, bearly started my motor after doing test it turned out to be my new Red top, summit sent me another one and this time it was wrapped in plastic and so far 1 yr and no prob...
I Never had any luck with optimas. I went through 2 red tops and a yellow after my Delco died on me and every time I let the car sit for more than 1 week the battery was toast. I did load tests and traced everything back. the only power draw was the alarm. Sure I could disconnect the battery every time I park the car but its not worth it because I never had a problem with normal batteries. I put a regular Duralast battery in and even leaving the car for almost a month in the dead of winter it still started right up and went on a business trip last week and parked the car for 2 weeks and it fired right up afterwards. I just don't see how they are good for modern cars because they just can't handle light loads for long periods of time.
