Which battery?

Carl Saiyed

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 12:35:58 AM1/24/05

to

The 'ol Die Hard in my Cherokee gave up the ghost, time to upgrade. I can
get a 1000CCA standard battery from Les Schwab for about 100 bux. Is it
worth the extra 60 for an Optima? If I get the Optima, which is best? Red
top? Blue top? Yellow top?

Vehicle is 89 Cherokee 4.0, Warn m8000 winch, 400watt audio amp, no aux
lighting but I will be adding some.

Thanks,

Carl

Jerry Bransford

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 12:43:22 AM1/24/05

to

With your winch, Optima's Blue Top or Yellow Top deep-cycle/starting
batteries would be a good choice, the Red Top would not since Optima
will not warranty it if a winch is connected to it. The Blue Top is
exactly the same as the Yellow Top internally and only varies by the
external case color and connectors. The extra top post on the Blue Top
is suitable for connecting a winch to, a winch cannot be connected to
the side posts that come on the Yellow Top since they cannot handle the
amount of current a winch can draw (in excess of 400 amperes). I'm real
happy with my two year old second Yellow Top, my first Yellow Top lasted
around five years with lots of winching under its belt before I replaced
it just to make sure it didn't strand me in the middle of the desert.

Jerry

--
Jerry Bransford
PP-ASEL N6TAY
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.cox.net/jerrypb/

Carl Saiyed

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 12:51:24 AM1/24/05

to

Thanks, Jerry. Based on your reccomendation and various articles I found on
the internet, I think I'll be going with the Yellow Top.

Thanks again,

Carl

Jerry Bransford

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 1:25:39 AM1/24/05

to

Great... but I'm just curious why you chose it over the Blue Top that
makes connecting a winch easier?

Jerry

--

Cherokee Boy

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 1:30:37 AM1/24/05

to

Hi Carl:

Just went through the exercise today for my 89 LTD.

I had planned on buying the Optima (red 34 - that's what Optima told me)
even thought every battery shop I went to told me the Optima wasn't worth
the money. As I was going out the door, I remembered that Costco sold
batteries so I went out for a look and ended up buying a 'Kirkland' (the
Costco brand) battery that has significantly higher rated CCA than the
Optima (which incidentally was also available at Costco) for 1/2 the cost,
but with an almost identical warranty. I saved $80 over the Optima. So far
I'm happy, but then, I've only had the battery in the truck for about 4
hours now :)

The blue and yellow top Optima's are for 'deep cycle' applications, not for
starting (although I guess they'd work).

--
Dave

Remove yourhat to respond

"Carl Saiyed" <carls...@REMOVEhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:41f48972$1...@newsfeed.slurp.net...

Carl Saiyed

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 7:41:41 AM1/24/05

to

Was it also the same design as an Optima? Or is it a conventinal battery?

Thanks,

Carl

"Cherokee Boy" <your...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ct24l5$e2n$1...@utornnr1pp.grouptelecom.net...

Carl Saiyed

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 7:43:51 AM1/24/05

to

Oops! I meant blue top. However, I am considering the 1000CCA conventional
battery, as the 700CCA Die Hard did pretty good, although the last bought
with winching is what put it 6 feet under..

Will a 1000CCA conventional battery cut it?

Thanks,

Carl

"Jerry Bransford" <jer...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:Ex0Jd.162$xu.111@fed1read05...

Jerry Bransford

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 10:11:03 AM1/24/05

to

Yes both the Blue Top and Yellow Top are also considered a starting
battery as well. They are a combined 'SLI' (starting, lights, and
ignition) as well as being a deep cycle. They are not a standard deep
cycle that would not be a good choice for a vehicle. Go to
www.optimabatteries.com/ to confirm this if you like Cherokee Boy.

Jerry

Cherokee Boy wrote:
> Hi Carl:
>
> Just went through the exercise today for my 89 LTD.
>
> I had planned on buying the Optima (red 34 - that's what Optima told me)
> even thought every battery shop I went to told me the Optima wasn't worth
> the money. As I was going out the door, I remembered that Costco sold
> batteries so I went out for a look and ended up buying a 'Kirkland' (the
> Costco brand) battery that has significantly higher rated CCA than the
> Optima (which incidentally was also available at Costco) for 1/2 the cost,
> but with an almost identical warranty. I saved $80 over the Optima. So far
> I'm happy, but then, I've only had the battery in the truck for about 4
> hours now :)
>
> The blue and yellow top Optima's are for 'deep cycle' applications, not for
> starting (although I guess they'd work).
>

--

twaldron

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 11:11:54 AM1/24/05

to

and why _you_ did, as well...

Jerry Bransford wrote:

> Great... but I'm just curious why you chose it over the Blue Top that
> makes connecting a winch easier?
>
> Jerry
>
> Carl Saiyed wrote:
>
>> Thanks, Jerry. Based on your reccomendation and various articles I
>> found on
>> the internet, I think I'll be going with the Yellow Top.

--
___________________________________________________________
tw

71 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco
03 TJ Rubicon - Rubicon Express 4.5"
01 XJ Sport

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
-- Dave Barry

Pronunciation: 'jEp
Function: noun
Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80-inch wheelbase,
1/4-ton capacity, and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in
World War II.

(Please remove the OBVIOUS to reply by email)
___________________________________________________________

Mike Romain

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 12:27:25 PM1/24/05

to

Sure. An 'Optima' is just a cool looking battery with no fall back in
case of over charge because it has no free acid you can top up when it
boils dry.

They also have a crappy warranty if you get the blue top and they break
internally just as fast and easy as conventional batteries from my
experience. Well maybe a bit longer, but that is subjective according
to trail use in the time period.

I was given one and bought one and I will never buy another. I will
stick to the chain store brand with the highest CCA and best warranty I
can get. That way I can easily get it replaced free even on a Sunday
when I kill it. I did notice my favorite chain store has spiral cell
ones too now so I might see what they offer on warranty and price next
time, but an 'optima', no way.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Jerry Bransford

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 1:13:38 PM1/24/05

to

I would have gone to the Blue Top for my second Optima but I already had
a good wiring setup that gets around the sidepost issue.

Jerry

twaldron wrote:
> and why _you_ did, as well...
>
> Jerry Bransford wrote:
>
>> Great... but I'm just curious why you chose it over the Blue Top that
>> makes connecting a winch easier?
>>
>> Jerry
>>
>> Carl Saiyed wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks, Jerry. Based on your reccomendation and various articles I
>>> found on
>>> the internet, I think I'll be going with the Yellow Top.
>
>

--

L.W. Hughes III

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 2:38:13 PM1/24/05

to

Hi Mike,
Having a chain store on every corner is much too convenient for me
too: http://www.billhughes.com/battery.jpg
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:LWHug...@aol.com

mham...@yahoo.com

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 3:41:13 PM1/24/05

to

Optimas don't actually have any loose acid in them, right? I thought
they used a paste or gel. I wasn't going to spend the money but I got
one on sale last year CHEAP and their propaganda said it could go
easier on your electrical system since paste batteries charge faster
and with less load. I have a red top since I'm never getting a winch
and it's worked fine for me, but I'm not really beating on it either.

Matt

Nick

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 3:45:23 PM1/24/05

to

I've had my red top for 5 years now in the Az. heat. Beat the crap out of
my jeep, killed the battery several times and it still has yet to fail me.
Nick

--
http://members.cox.net/nnote/
"mham...@nospamyahoo.com" <mham...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1106599273.3...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

Mike Romain

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 5:17:37 PM1/24/05

to

They are still a lead acid battery, the coils are packed so tight it is
all absorbed into them.

Mike

JimG

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 8:50:17 PM1/24/05

to

You may also want to consider the Exide... 1/3 the cost of the Optima (pay
for the name) battery. Same technology, same performance:

http://www.exideworld.com/products/marine_rv/orbital_deep_cycle.html
http://www.exideworld.com/products/light_truck/exide_select_orbital.html

--
JimG
80' CJ-7 258 CID, HEI
4.56 Gears, Lock-Right F&R
35" BFG MT on 15x10 Centerlines
D44 Rear, D30 Front. SOA
Dana 300 w/4:1 & Currie twin sticks
Warn X8000i w/ dual batteries

00' TJ Sport 4.0L, 5sp
4.56 Gears, TrueTrac rear
33" BFG AT on 15x8 Eagle Alloys
D35 Rear, D30 Front. 3" Suspension Lift

"Carl Saiyed" wrote in message ...

Carl Saiyed

unread,

Jan 24, 2005, 11:09:39 PM1/24/05

to

Where can I buy one?

Thanks,

Carl

"JimG" <ji...@2muchspam.com> wrote in message
news:tBhJd.1781$Ip1...@news02.roc.ny...

randy

unread,

Jan 25, 2005, 12:36:39 AM1/25/05

to

http://www.exideworld.com/wheretobuy/wheretobuy.asp?categoryID=4

JimG

unread,

Jan 25, 2005, 12:36:39 PM1/25/05

to

I bought two at Sam's Club, ~$55 each.

JimG

"Carl Saiyed" wrote in message ...

Endo

unread,

Jan 25, 2005, 8:37:58 PM1/25/05

to

Looks like i'd want the D34M if I read right. I been wanting an Optima and
I have a winch to wire up yet so I bet this would be a good choice. What
did you use for your power distribution setup Jerry? I'll have some radio
equipment to hook up as well and i'm curious how you worked it all in on
your TJ.

From: http://tinyurl.com/6f8bt

What is the Difference?

OPTIMA® offers three battery models for your marine and R/V needs: the 34M,
D34M, and D31M.

OPTIMA's D34M and D31M BlueTop batteries are dual-purpose batteries. They
can be used in any deep cycle (marine accessory, R/V, trolling motor) or
starting applications.

OPTIMA's 34M BlueTop battery is a starting battery. Although you can use a
deep cycle battery in any application, starting batteries can only be used
for starting applications.

Shawn

"Jerry Bransford" <jer...@cox.net> wrote in message

news:ce8Jd.219$xu.38@fed1read05...

Jerry Bransford

unread,

Jan 25, 2005, 8:57:04 PM1/25/05

to

I kept everything wired normally and wired my winch to the undersized
side posts. What I added to prevent my winch from melting the internal
side post connections was to make and install pair of external
battery-connector gauge size jumpers that connect from the side posts
where the winch is connected to to the top posts. They are more than
big enough to carry the amperage from the winch to the top posts that
can handle the winch's amperage load. The jumpers are connected in
parallel to the internal connections to the side posts.

Jerry

Carl Saiyed

unread,

Jan 25, 2005, 11:48:25 PM1/25/05

to

Thanks, Jim.

"JimG" <Ji...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:HsvJd.1894$9x3...@news02.roc.ny...

Markansas

unread,

Jan 26, 2005, 9:59:05 PM1/26/05

to

Nick wrote:
> I've had my red top for 5 years now in the Az. heat. Beat the crap
> out of my jeep, killed the battery several times and it still has yet
> to fail me. Nick

I had a red top Optima that came in a dodge truck, bought truck used in
2001, sold it last year, battery never failed me, even after 2 seperate
occasions when truck sat for 2 months straight.

fired up just as if I had parked it the day before.

JimG

unread,

Jan 27, 2005, 6:11:14 PM1/27/05

to

My 4 year old Delco in my Chevy does that.

JimG

Message has been deleted