Which OPtima : Yellow or Blue ?

2805 Views 26 Replies 21 Participants Last post by joe_jeep, Dec 18, 2010

jayfrem

Discussion Starter · Oct 31, 2010

Hi Gents

Looking for a replacement battery I prefer to go with Optima whicone should i go with : Blue or Yellow ?

Thanks
Jay

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

KaiserJeep

· #2 · Oct 31, 2010

Those two batteries are of identical internal construction, both are combination starting and deep discharge batteries. The YellowTop is warranteed for automotive use and the BlueTop is warranteed for marine use.

The marine battery has a longer warranty because it is not calculated on being in a high heat automotive engine compartment, rather in a ventilated and cooler marine engine room.

The actual performance under a Jeep hood is identical. If you want the longer marine battery warranty and are willing to lie to get it, get a BlueTop and if you need to make a claim, say you used it in a boat. Else get a YellowTop and be truthfull.

Very often, different model batteries with different terminal configurations are available. If you are planning to stack two batteries on their sides in a Mean Green or Smittybuilt dual battery tray, the best battery version (because it is least likely to short) is top post only. If you are using a single battery, then a model with both top posts and side terminals is convenient - but do not attach a winch or the engine starter to the side posts, those are for light duty use only. Likewise always attach jumper cables to top posts only.

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seapahn

· #3 · Oct 31, 2010

Get whichever is cheaper. Note that blue top comes both as deep cycle and starting battery so in order for it to be comparable to the yellow-top, you should make sure to get the deep cycle model.

That's if you are dead-set on optima for some reason. If you are open to alternatives, my strong recommendation would be the diehard platinum (or oddyssey). In my experience, these have been much more resilient than the Optimas I have owned.

sludge puppy

· #4 · Oct 31, 2010

Kaiser is right, the two are identical internally. My blue top just died after over 4 years, and only because of my stupidity. I just purchased another blue. I love having the extra terminals on top

wsm04rubi

· #5 · Oct 31, 2010

Here's another vote for the Diehard Platinum. I have two of them, one in the Jeep and one in the truck. The one in the truck died after about 3 months, and was replaced no questions asked. This was about two years ago, and I think they had a bad batch around then and I just got one of the bad ones. The one in the Jeep is about 3 years old now and has been great, under pretty harsh conditions.

The Platinum is manufactured by Odyssey for Sears, has identical specs, but comes with a better warranty, and you can get service at any Sears auto center...

Rockunlimited2

· #6 · Oct 31, 2010

Just wondering about the "Side termanal for light use" thing, why would that be? What about cars that only have side posts connectors?

desertfox1

· #7 · Oct 31, 2010

wsm04rubi said:
Here's another vote for the Diehard Platinum.

and another vote.

I have two as well. They were in the truck and Jeep, then I sold the truck and kept the battery. Now the 2nd one is in my commuter car after I killed the stock battery.

Another advantage to Sears..... there's a Sears store in most every major city (easy replacement should the need arise).

jayfrem

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 31, 2010

I am not familair with the Die Hard Platinum any good online store for it ?

wsm04rubi

· #9 · Oct 31, 2010

jayfrem said:
I am not familair with the Die Hard Platinum any good online store for it ?

You can buy it online from Sears, or any Sears Auto Center will have them in stock on the shelves:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850034000P

It is a re-branded Odyssey:

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/

wsm04rubi

· #10 · Oct 31, 2010

This is the Odyssey version of the P1:

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc1500t.htm

Phreak480

· #11 · Nov 1, 2010

love my sears diehard platinum.

modded the factory wiring to connect to the side terminals and then used marine adapters on the top posts to attach the winch cabling.

gonna put 1 in my pickup too, and eventually get it a few more as friends.

Elwarpo

· #12 · Nov 1, 2010

one thing to note, optima recently cut their warranties on their batteries. The red top was 3 years replacement and 3 years prorated, the yellow top 1 year replacement and 1 year prorated. Now the red top is only 3 years and the yellow top 1 year. This tells me they have also cut quality. My red top died after 4 years. When it was bought, it came with the 3+3 warranty but when i called optima they told me it now only has the 3 year and I am out of warranty. I never got any warranty information with the battery so I am screwed. The sears platinum costs the same but comes with a 4 year replacement and additional 4 1/3 year prorated warranty, has a higher CCA rating and can also be mounted in any position but upside down. I will never buy an optima again.

MPETE

· #13 · Nov 2, 2010

dont have a diehard platinum YET! missed my oppurtunity about a month ago when they were on serious sale. I will be keeping an eye out for one as I am need of a battery for my jeep as we speak, but am making due with the battery out of my neon that I moddified to fit.

more importantly I am casting my vote AGAINST optimas. great design, but crappy warranty and customer service. optima will never get any of my $$$$ from here on out

Stinger

· #14 · Nov 2, 2010

wsm04rubi said:
Here's another vote for the Diehard Platinum. I have two of them, one in the Jeep and one in the truck. The one in the truck died after about 3 months, and was replaced no questions asked. This was about two years ago, and I think they had a bad batch around then and I just got one of the bad ones. The one in the Jeep is about 3 years old now and has been great, under pretty harsh conditions.

The Platinum is manufactured by Odyssey for Sears, has identical specs, but comes with a better warranty, and you can get service at any Sears auto center...

x3

tnjeep03

· #15 · Nov 16, 2010

My battery finally gave it up this weekend on the trail. Thanks to ROF I know exactly what to get, I've been hearing bad things about the Optima so off to Sears I will go!

Dioji

· #16 · Nov 16, 2010

Platinum P1 x4. Did 16 long winch pulls one day last summer with a W8274 and my only battery. Stock alternator, no problems.

huntinbob06

· #17 · Nov 18, 2010

I've had an Optima yellow top for 5 years and never missed a beat. My rig is not a daily driver and it sits a lot in the winter. I run the hell out of it in the summer and fall. I have more than got my money's worth.
Just my 2 cents.

Okies

· #18 · Nov 18, 2010

Same here, red top in the avatar pic and never an issue. Worked fine when I had to slide the jeep down a mountain trail on it's side after I flopped it.

I have 4 blue tops in the boat.

I like em.

For the jeeps on rof it seems Sears is most popular.

Elwarpo

· #19 · Nov 19, 2010

My issue is why has optima cut its warranty in half? Have they lost confidence in their product.

Okies

· #20 · Nov 19, 2010

Don't need warranty with a good product. How's that for an answer, sound like I am full of chit.... LOL

Seriously... I read the new owners cut it. As to why.. we can only guess.

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

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