TWS

iTrader: (63)

Hey,

I have heard about the Optima and Dynabatt ones that are significantly lighter than a "normal" battery. Naturally I want one to shave a few pounds from my bracket racer, so I want one. I have read through threads here about them and it seems that the Optima is the better of the two. However, NOWHERE on the board have I been able to find the model number or name of the light weight Optima battery. I went to Autozone because they carry Optima, and they had no clue about a light weight model. They only had red tops and yellow tops. I lifted both up and they were both just as heavy as a normal battery. So... help me out here. Which model do I need to be looking for and where do I get it?

Thanks in advance. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

Tapout

iTrader: (3)

I dont think optima makes a lightweight battery
the red top & yellow are just as heavy as stock.
try here though
http://www.optimabatteries.com/

ApacheDrill

iTrader: (21)

I was told the red top was better for are car's then the yellow top unless you were running a big stereo system and needed more more with the vehicle not running. I am happy with the red top and saved about 40.00 over the yellow top.

TWS

iTrader: (63)

Guys,

thanks. I just got off the phone with their customer service. The lightest battery they make is a little over 33 pounds. Since a "normal" battery usually comes in 38-40 pounds, theirs is hardly a weight saving device. Guess I heard wrong, but could have sworn I saw something in High Tech or someone talking about them making a 20 pound battery. Hmm...

Anyone know which battery this is? (Probably a different brand) Help me stop <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
thanks in advance.

BAD APPLE

The battery you heard about may have been a "Black Panther / Odyssey / Predator" brand. These are dry cell (so they can be mounted sideways if necessary), smaller than conventional batterries, and lighter (25 lbs in medium duty form). I don't own one personally but I used one at work for an test vehicle with limited underhood space.

Go here:
http://www.4x44u.com/pub/k2/am4x44u/installs/bpanther/

or:
http://4crawler.cruiserpages.com/4x4/BlackPanther.shtml

stroked30th

iTrader: (2)

if u move your battery to the rear it is a good idea to go w/ the yellow top optima. You'll need the extra cranking amperage because of the longer cables. And by moving it to the back weight transfer will be better.

TWS

iTrader: (63)

Bad Apple, thanks! I'll check it out.

Stroked30th, yep, my battery is already back there, as of 5 years ago. Great mod that had an immediate effect. <img border="0" alt="[driving]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_driving3.gif" />
Not just the weight savings of no more jack and spare, but also the lifting of 40 pounds off the front and putting it right above the primary drive wheel. <img border="0" alt="[evil]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" />

muscratmauler

oPTIMA'S are junk, don't buy one

WS6 RULES

I read a Consumer Reports test on the Optima. Said they are a waste of money. A Delco Freedom is better and costs less.

slow

iTrader: (7)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by WS6 RULES:
<strong> I read a Consumer Reports test on the Optima. Said they are a waste of money. A Delco Freedom is better and costs less. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by muscratmauler:
<strong> oPTIMA'S are junk, don't buy one </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">any reason why?

and can the freedom batt not leak, and mounted sideways? (im not familiar with it, is it the gas mat battery from the vette?)

QuikSSilver

I have an optima red top and it has given me no problems....

the weigh saving is minimal but then again I'm not a hard core drag racer, I race but I'm more intered in reliabilty... and it comes with a 2 yr unconditional warranty.....

and i don't have to worry about all the acid residue like I alwayz contended with on the delco POS, i like knowing my battery tray/ car isn't getting eaten up.

PlowTown Missile

Any lightweight batteries that accept our factory cables?

NA$TY-TA

iTrader: (21)

You say stay away from optima batterys because there are cheaper batterys. why does that make since? since when is cheaper better reason? How long does that cheap battery you bought last? Optima batterys have 4 year warranty. 2 year free replacemnt and then they are pro rated so a battery 3 years old will be worth 50% of its original cost. They yellow top does have more CCA and for those of us that do require a little more juice for our stereos we have it when we need it. Just putting that little bit of info out.

Hit Man X

I have a Yellow Top on my Z71 and also in my F-150. It is an excellent battery and I have had NO problems with it at all.

Any vehicle I have to get another battery for will get an Optima. They last longer and stand up to the abuse that I need.

I have a decent sized stereo in the Z71 and my F-150 sits for about 7-10 days a pop and needs to be able to start after sitting that long with no glitches.

muscratmauler

they are junk because the spiral core design weakens the plates right off the bat.
they do not last nearly as long as regular batts. and YES you can get other brands that are GEL filled (won't leak)
The couple people on here that say they've gone so many years with no problems is just a minute fraction of all the others out there you don't hear about

Just cause it looks good, don't mean squat. It's marketing. 90% of the people on here that bought one way back did so because it "looked cool"

Corey R.

iTrader: (4)

Im on my 3rd Optima in 3 years. (red top)

I think id would be on my second if i didnt have an altenator go bad on me a few years ago. I had to run of the battery itself for the whole weeknd.

Optima has lowered the FREE REPLACEMENT warranty on the batteries. It used to be 36 months, and errr i forget what it was lowered too now.......

kevinb

Ive been using a red top in my car for three years and two of those years were spent in NORTH DAKOTA. I use no battery warmer, heater, etc, no garage, and my car started every morning all winter long when it was 50 below zero outside. My roomates' cars didn't fare so well. Im very happy with my Optima <img border="0" alt="[judgement]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" />

muscratmauler

Just to clear something up.
The battery that worked every day in North Dakota, doesn't mean squat. HEAT is what kills a battery, not cold. Our batteries die in the winter because thats when they need the power to crank the motor. Which if said battery spent a couple months in summer heat. It has deteriorated.

As long as your charging system is functioning properly and your not in a hot climate, it should last as long as the warrenty.

verbs

Late post, but my optima yellow top barely lasted a year in the Arizona heat before it died. I didn't drive my car for 3 weeks when I was away for work, and when I came back it was dead. It was garaged and not out in the sun. I had it trickle charged and its been fine ever since.

muscratmauler

THERE YA have it.