Optima Battery

[Livnn]

would anyone know the code or size optima battery that fits in the SF.
THANK YOU FOR THE HELP !

[chucks1]

I've got a red Optima, part number 8025-160, Model 25.

[Livnn]

Thank you for the help.

[madmaxx]

My pos optima lasted 3.2 yrs, out of warrnty

[mattpatt]

I'm using an Optima Red Top 34R. Needed to add an extender on the positive cable but seems to work just fine (once I got the battery fully charged and ran with it for a while).

[PANAVIA]

I used a Oddessy smaller orange unit and it seems to be working out well, - if you are using a gear-reduction starter the CCAs required are somewhat lower, - and you can save a few lbs off the car. -

there are nice alternatives to Optima, -

you can learn more about AGM vs Gel vs Lead acid here ;

Battery Types: Flooded versus AGM and Gel

[Livnn]

Thank You all, Red top in place

[madmaxx]

Do yourself a huge favor and check your ground connection behind your battery box, under the carpet, remove and look at end connection. Mine was broke making intermittent connection. There was nothing wrong with my battery. Thanks to Blas for the heads up.

[Cobra #3170]

For what it is worth I replaced the Optima's in my Cobra and Ford GT with Sears
Diehard Platinum batteries. These batteries are AGM and do not discharge as quickly with light loads as the Optima. My GT sat for 4 months in the trailer and
started immediately, if I did that with an Optima it would be dead or not able to crank the engine.

[MGlad]

I keep all my cars plugged into a Surecharge battery maintainer. I just had to replace the battery in my '94 pace car. It was at least 12 years old, and could be the original battery.

[STEVE-O]

My Optima is 4+ years old and currently have a strange issue.
After a drive I normally plug in the Battery Tender and within an hour or so it goes from the beginning red light , thru the flashing green to the steady green.
Recently the light has been staying at red.
I disconnected the neg cable to rule out something in the car discharging the battery.
The current battery voltage is 13.8v.
Ive tried 2 different Battery Tenders and both behave the same.

What does this indicate? Battery not charging so its bad?

[Blas]

13.8v is to high for a standing fully charged battery.
12.65v is the normal full charge reading for a normal battery.
13.1 is the normal full charge rate for an Optima battery. (per mfr)

[STEVE-O]

So what would the 13.8v indicate? If its overcharged, what would cause that? voltage regulator issue?
Wouldnt the Battery Tender realize that the battery is charged and thus go to maintain mode, the steady green light?
Thanks

[Blas]

I would recommend checking your VR ouput when the engine is running. And preferably with a known good battery attached.
Would also be interesting to see if the Optima's 13.8v charge stays constant overnight too.
After a normal drive, what is the reported charge on the battery?

[Bxx1]

Originally Posted by Cobra #3170

For what it is worth I replaced the Optima's in my Cobra and Ford GT with Sears
Diehard Platinum batteries. These batteries are AGM and do not discharge as quickly with light loads as the Optima. My GT sat for 4 months in the trailer and
started immediately, if I did that with an Optima it would be dead or not able to crank the engine.

From what I have learned, the Sears Platinum's are made to the same specs as the Odyssey and have higher quality lead than the Optima and should last longer. The new Optima's are now manufactured in Mexico and no longer use high quality (99.9%) lead. For my $ I would go with Sears Platinum.

[rpatton3]

An overcharged sealed battery can actually explode. That is why Retrobirds had vented batteries in trunk. It is rare.

[chomama1]

I have a yellow top Optima. Great battery but be advised it is different dimensions from the red top.