Optima battery suggestions

bryanf89 · 12-22-2009, 06:18 PM

Im looking to get an optima red top battery for my 89 supra turbo. Which one should i get?

cre · 12-23-2009, 02:06 AM

I'd recommend something else. DieHard Platinum is also built by Johnson Controls (well, we can't really blame Johnson Controls, Optima is a subsidiary) but is of far superior materials and quality.

Optimas are disposables, even in their own eyes. I went through two... they're local company so I spoke to them about replacing the first one. They refused, the second time I just went to Sears and had them bin the Optima (ask some experienced auto techs, you might find that they fail a lot more than you think).

High quality and cheap never go hand in hand.

bryanf89 · 12-23-2009, 02:18 AM

but the optima battery i was looking at is the same price as the optima and i researched the diehard batteries and people gave it bad rep.

cre · 12-23-2009, 05:13 AM

I didn't suggest a regular DieHard nor the DieHard Gold (the regular DieHard batteries have been made by a number of different manufacturers over the years, as such I won't recommned them... they're like a box of chocolates...); I suggested the DieHard Platinum. Do as you wish, of course. I'm merely giving you my opinion... after two Optimas I did a LOT of research before buying my next battery.

Try this another way... don't search for GOOD reviews... search for BAD reviews. Go to Google and search the following terms: "Optimas suck", "Optima sucks", "DieHard Platinums suck" and "DieHard Platinum sucks"... USE QUOTES. Look through the results to make sure they're referring to batteries.

Absolutely do not base your decision on my recommendation; do your own research, read up on how they're all constructed and make an educated decision. There is a LOT of bad information about Optima batteries though and it gets hard to know if the source is reputible. I'll start with pointing out that Optimas are not a Gel Cell as people like to claim. It is a sealed AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery; Nothing very unique about this actually, a lot of higher quality batteries are... it reduces damage due to vibration and reduces internal shorting due to moving particulate from what I recall. There are supposed to be power advantages to the AGM construction as well, but I do not recall the details. AGM batteries do require slightly different charging strategies if drained significantly... if using a battery charger make sure it is AGM compatible. Gel batteries require a COMPLETELY different charging strategy and really should not be supplied power from an alternator without the requisite controller added in between.

Just going off memory here... things may have changed a bit in the past couple years, so do your own research as I said (don't rely on people just saying what they stuffed under the hood because Joe Bob said he had one too).

cre · 12-23-2009, 08:42 AM

Actually, it looks like I may be mistaken. I'm seeing a lot of info that JCI does not make the Platinum, but the DieHard Gold line.... I don't know about the other DieHard models.

From what I'm finding EnerSys may be the maker of the DH Platinum.... they make the Odyssey series of batteries. http://www.enersysreservepower.com/
http://www.enersysreservepower.com/f...odernMarv.html

BlueTuner · 12-23-2009, 05:23 PM

Just wondering what type of battery do you use in your car cre? I Also need a new battery in my supra. I have a Yellow top in my Rx-7, yes RX-7. The people who drive rx-7's recommend the Odyssey batteries.

12-22-2009, 06:18 PM	#1
bryanf89 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 231	Optima battery suggestions Im looking to get an optima red top battery for my 89 supra turbo. Which one should i get?

12-23-2009, 02:06 AM	#2
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	I'd recommend something else. DieHard Platinum is also built by Johnson Controls (well, we can't really blame Johnson Controls, Optima is a subsidiary) but is of far superior materials and quality. Optimas are disposables, even in their own eyes. I went through two... they're local company so I spoke to them about replacing the first one. They refused, the second time I just went to Sears and had them bin the Optima (ask some experienced auto techs, you might find that they fail a lot more than you think). High quality and cheap never go hand in hand. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

12-23-2009, 05:13 AM	#4
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	I didn't suggest a regular DieHard nor the DieHard Gold (the regular DieHard batteries have been made by a number of different manufacturers over the years, as such I won't recommned them... they're like a box of chocolates...); I suggested the DieHard Platinum. Do as you wish, of course. I'm merely giving you my opinion... after two Optimas I did a LOT of research before buying my next battery. Try this another way... don't search for GOOD reviews... search for BAD reviews. Go to Google and search the following terms: "Optimas suck", "Optima sucks", "DieHard Platinums suck" and "DieHard Platinum sucks"... USE QUOTES. Look through the results to make sure they're referring to batteries. Absolutely do not base your decision on my recommendation; do your own research, read up on how they're all constructed and make an educated decision. There is a LOT of bad information about Optima batteries though and it gets hard to know if the source is reputible. I'll start with pointing out that Optimas are not a Gel Cell as people like to claim. It is a sealed AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery; Nothing very unique about this actually, a lot of higher quality batteries are... it reduces damage due to vibration and reduces internal shorting due to moving particulate from what I recall. There are supposed to be power advantages to the AGM construction as well, but I do not recall the details. AGM batteries do require slightly different charging strategies if drained significantly... if using a battery charger make sure it is AGM compatible. Gel batteries require a COMPLETELY different charging strategy and really should not be supplied power from an alternator without the requisite controller added in between. Just going off memory here... things may have changed a bit in the past couple years, so do your own research as I said (don't rely on people just saying what they stuffed under the hood because Joe Bob said he had one too). __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

12-23-2009, 08:42 AM	#5
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Actually, it looks like I may be mistaken. I'm seeing a lot of info that JCI does not make the Platinum, but the DieHard Gold line.... I don't know about the other DieHard models. From what I'm finding EnerSys may be the maker of the DH Platinum.... they make the Odyssey series of batteries. http://www.enersysreservepower.com/ http://www.enersysreservepower.com/f...odernMarv.html __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar ---> Last edited by cre; 12-23-2009 at 09:53 AM.

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12-23-2009, 02:18 AM	#3
bryanf89 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 231	but the optima battery i was looking at is the same price as the optima and i researched the diehard batteries and people gave it bad rep.

12-23-2009, 05:23 PM	#6
BlueTuner Intake Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Englewood, Ohio Posts: 41	Just wondering what type of battery do you use in your car cre? I Also need a new battery in my supra. I have a Yellow top in my Rx-7, yes RX-7. The people who drive rx-7's recommend the Odyssey batteries.

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