Author Topic: Optima Battery Life  (Read 358 times)

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Thumperbird

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Optima Battery Life
« on: October 11, 2026, 06:41:01 PM »
I know Optima battery life has been discussed many times, looking for more current info..

It sounds like Optima was bought out a few years ago, it reads on line like quality has dropped dramatically.
My red top lasted 7 years, which sounds like the norm more or less, there were probaly a few periods where it discharged somewhat due to sitting for a month or so.

I just bought a red top replacement, battery holder is custom to Optima so I decided to give one a try.
What are peoples current experience with Optima red tops under say 3 or 4 years old, are they lasting that long at least?

Thanks.
« Last Edit: October 11, 2026, 06:45:13 PM by Thumperbird »

sixty9cobra

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Re: Optima Battery Life
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2026, 07:46:30 PM »
My redtop is going on 8 yrs now.

70tp

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Re: Optima Battery Life
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2026, 06:03:44 AM »
I used to get good life out of them, the last few, not so much.   If you buy one, make sure to hang on to the warranty  papers.      I would use an agm of a different brand before an optima, but that just my opinion

The Real McCoy

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Re: Optima Battery Life
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2026, 08:36:21 PM »
I won a Red Top at a car show, thinking it was at least 6-7 years ago.  Ended up putting it in my compact tractor. It can occasionally sit for month or two during the winter so usually at some point throw a battery maintainer on it. So far it is doing well.
63 1/2 Galaxie 500
428 CJ Stroker with 427 2x4 Intake, 427 Long Exhaust Manifolds, Quick Fuel Carbs and TKO 600.

"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know, it’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so."                            Mark Twain

JacksFordParts

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Re: Optima Battery Life
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2026, 10:13:25 PM »
Yellow top in my race car is from 2010 - Still kicking which is mind boggling... I wont replace it just out of pure loyalty - I want to see how far it can go.  Maybe Optima will give me a free one, HA