Gaari Means Car. Car Reviews & Car News

Got the Yellow top for my van, thinking they are the best, and would last longer than my OEM did. 2 years. Well here I am 2 years later with a Top of the line battery, and it won’t hold a charge. Could have spent 1/2 the money or less, and pobably would still have a pro-rated battery warranty, or even still a viable battery. Time to go back to Sears I guess…Hope others have better luck….
Rating: 1 / 5

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.

Rating: 3 / 5

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.
Rating: 4 / 5