Comments on: Optima Batteries 8014-045 D34/78 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery

By: Rafiki

Rafiki — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:49:36 +0000

Great Battery. I use lots of accessories and with a high output ALT this battery does the job. If you run AMPS etc this is the battery for you. Lots of reserve power for the Optima Yellow Category. I recommend it as your next Battery….

By: Raed

Raed — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:09 +0000

Too soon to evaluate longevity. First impressions are positive. Replaced 4 year-old Sears Die-Hard, that was installed in my Chevy v-8 powered Jeep. My old battery would no longer hold a charge. I've had many years experience with car/boat batteries, and finally gave up on Sears.
Modifications to the battery tray and hold-down strap were required to facilitate the battery's side posts, which are located near the center of the battery, in-line with the stock hold-down bolt/cross strap; I use the side posts for engine start, and the top posts for the Jeep's winch.
Initial voltage checks indicated received fully charged (12.69v). Random daily checks indicated ability to retain charge.
Static battery drain, do to ECM and radio memory is 7MA. Alternator output at idle measured 14.66v, tapering off to 13.8, which is normal, and expected.
Battery came with various case adapters to fit various battery trays. Construction appears first class. Time will tell.
I would have ranked the battery at 5*s, but need time and usage experience before giving "100%" endorsement.

By: Italia

Italia — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:46:52 +0000

There's a lot of un-due praise for Optima batteries. I believe their reputation is over deserving. Granted batteries don't last long in Phoenix, I was expecting more than the 2 years I got out of my Yellow Top Optima; their capacity and life is not much different than cheaper quality batteries.

Negs:
- The warranty is very poor, nowhere near the level of the competition.
- I expected a quality deep cycle AGM to last a lot longer than just over 2 years.

Pros:
- Worked well under heavy current loads. I run 5 amplifiers that draw about 80-100 amps. The Optima helped buffer the headlight-dimming effect I used to have w/ my stock battery.

Overall a good battery, but at this heavy price I would expect a battery to have a warranty to back it up past 18 months and to last longer than 2 years. If you're spending this much, check out the Diehard Platinum or others first, you'll be glad you did.