Optima Batteries. Never again.

6085 Views 45 Replies 34 Participants Last post by HoosierBuddy, Jul 15, 2021

HoosierBuddy

Discussion Starter · Jul 8, 2021

Years ago...maybe like 20 years ago...I relocated the battery on my '65 to the trunk and bought an Optima Red Top and a nice billet mounting kit to latch it down.

Well...I was really happy. That first battery likely lasted 6 or 7 years. Then the next one lasted about the same. Since I've bought 3 more and each of them has lasted just long enough to get out of the 3 year replacement warranty.

If it wasn't for the billet hold down kit, I would have made the switch long ago. Yesterday I bought a store brand "Super Start" series 78 battery from O'Reilly Autoparts. I modified the hold down and made it work....though it doesn't look right....so more work is still required.

Good riddance Optima. And GFYS Johnson Controls. You ruined a great battery.

Reactions: 4

21 - 40 of 46 Posts

myke b.

· #21 · Jul 8, 2021

I've had very good luck with Interstate Batteries. I put them in my Mustang and my motorcycles.

DrStang

· #22 · Jul 8, 2021

I've let go of the Optimas. The ones that I had lasted 5 and 3 years. I've since gone with the lookalike OEM style AGMs from Battery Central Mall for my Mustang and Cuda.

Battery Central Mall - Classic Car Battery specialist- BCM

Battery Central Mall Classic Car Battery specialist, deals with all types of car accessories like Charger, Batteries. Buy Now.

www.batterycentralmall.com

www.batterycentralmall.com

Pretty pricey and a bit of a wait to get one, but they are beautiful - as far as batteries go

Kelly_H

· #23 · Jul 8, 2021

Dang, I always just put in the cheap batteries because I know I'm going to run them completely flat one or two or three times for no good reason at all... I got a bad habit of leaving the glovebox open or doors open or leave the battery connected while I'm doing some update project or another. So I just plan for my own stupidity. Usually the batteries last me 3-5 years though, even with me running them dead constantly.

Reactions: 4

Mike the old grump

· #24 · Jul 8, 2021

Kelly_H said:
Dang, I always just put in the cheap batteries because I know I'm going to run them completely flat one or two or three times for no good reason at all... I got a bad habit of leaving the glovebox open or doors open or leave the battery connected while I'm doing some update project or another. So I just plan for my own stupidity. Usually the batteries last me 3-5 years though, even with me running them dead constantly.

Cheap is good. Especially for a consumable item like a battery.

costco does not seem overpriced and is convenient, which is why I tend to go that route.

pprince

· #25 · Jul 9, 2021

Optima used to have a great reputation but the last decade all I see are complaints about them.

They have really damaged their hard won reputation. I doubt I would buy an Optima now.

Reactions: 1

patrickstapler

· #26 · Jul 9, 2021

Mine is almost two years old. No problems yet. Fingers crossed.

Mustang_Charlie

· #27 · Jul 9, 2021

Worked for JCI. At the time, they made over 80% of the lead acid batteries, plus Optima and others. Yes, Wal-Mart Everstart, Interstate, Diehards, all.....
All batteries were "spec"- made for the market.
I run "No labels" for local Interstate hub- about $35 bucks, one year warranty, and they last me about 5.
After JCI sold off my division, they also sold off "Power Solutions" - the batteries, etc.
They also owned interest in the company that was making the for the Chevy Volt, etc.

Chaplin

· #28 · Jul 9, 2021

I put an Optima in one of my cars and it lasted 14 years. I replaced it with another one and that one is going on 5 years old.

I put another Optima in my Mustang two years ago and so far so good.

GT289

· #29 · Jul 9, 2021

^ Optima life is dependent upon quality of the manufacture of that particular unit and how bad (or how good) your charging system is.........

Turnall

· #30 · Jul 9, 2021

This thread will get real interesting when we reach all electric...

Allen

jsbenami

· #31 · Jul 9, 2021

Any good lithium Ion batteries for engine bays yet? I have this tiny...almost pocket size jump started. Once jump started a friends classic Mustang 3 times in one day with it and it only went down to 75%. When it's charged to 100% it will hold that charges for months in the hot trunk without topping off.

Reactions: 1

beechkid

· #32 · Jul 9, 2021

HoosierBuddy said:
Years ago...maybe like 20 years ago...I relocated the battery on my '65 to the trunk and bought an Optima Red Top and a nice billet mounting kit to latch it down.

Well...I was really happy. That first battery likely lasted 6 or 7 years. Then the next one lasted about the same. Since I've bought 3 more and each of them has lasted just long enough to get out of the 3 year replacement warranty.

If it wasn't for the billet hold down kit, I would have made the switch long ago. Yesterday I bought a store brand "Super Start" series 78 battery from O'Reilly Autoparts. I modified the hold down and made it work....though it doesn't look right....so more work is still required.

Good riddance Optima. And GFYS Johnson Controls. You ruined a great battery.

Ya know Optima was sold a few years ago and IIRR, mfg was shipped overseas which is when they started having QA issues with them

Capt Kent

· #33 · Jul 9, 2021

patrickstapler said:
Mine is almost two years old. No problems yet. Fingers crossed.

You just jinxed yourself.

tx65coupe

· #34 · Jul 9, 2021

Apparently Optima was once a really good battery but has gone way down the tubes in recent years. I've known a number of people that seem to have had them least for 6-10 years with ones purchased from around the late 90s until some time around a decade ago. Many of them no longer use them. That is probably the same time the company ownership / management changed hands and manufacturing moved to Mexico. Since then they have been total trash. Local parts stores have said the returns on Optimas is significantly higher then they used to be. Certainly not worth the ridiculous price tag.

I generally run Oreillys Super Start in the car. They may or may not be Super but they work good. I believe they are made by East Penn / Deka. They seem to last a little longer than the Johnson Controls from Advance, The Zone, Wally World etc.

I've never really been one for battery hype, especially with the way that most batteries only seem to last 3-4 or maybe 5 years if you're lucky anyway.

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Bad66GT

· #35 · Jul 9, 2021

GT289 said:
We've had a lot of battery threads on the VMF. A lot.
I really detest Interstate. Nothing they manufacture or have manufactured for them will ever grace one of my vehicles.
I worked in the battery industry out in the field, once upon a time. I think two vehicles out of the six here have flooded lead acid
batteries and the rest are AGM. Optima has definitely changed over the years. The two vehicles that have Optimas in them will
get changed to something else AGM when the time comes.

OPTIMA® Batteries History

beechkid said:
Ya know Optima was sold a few years ago and IIRR, mfg was shipped overseas which is when they started having QA issues with them

Yes, see @GT289 's post from page one

Chris

Reactions: 1

69bossnine

· #36 · Jul 9, 2021

HoosierBuddy said:
Years ago...maybe like 20 years ago...I relocated the battery on my '65 to the trunk and bought an Optima Red Top and a nice billet mounting kit to latch it down.

Well...I was really happy. That first battery likely lasted 6 or 7 years. Then the next one lasted about the same. Since I've bought 3 more and each of them has lasted just long enough to get out of the 3 year replacement warranty.

If it wasn't for the billet hold down kit, I would have made the switch long ago. Yesterday I bought a store brand "Super Start" series 78 battery from O'Reilly Autoparts. I modified the hold down and made it work....though it doesn't look right....so more work is still required.

Good riddance Optima. And GFYS Johnson Controls. You ruined a great battery.

Out of curiosity, what are you using for a battery maintainer/trickle?

patrickstapler

· #37 · Jul 9, 2021

I have used this charger for about 20 years now...

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Schumacher SC1281 100 Amp 30 Amp 6V/12V Fully Automatic Smart Battery Charger 100A Engine Starter and 30A Boost Maintainer and Auto Desulfator Advanced Diagnostic Testing : Automotive

Buy Schumacher SC1281 100 Amp 30 Amp 6V/12V Fully Automatic Smart Battery Charger 100A Engine Starter and 30A Boost Maintainer and Auto Desulfator Advanced Diagnostic Testing: Battery Chargers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

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GT289

· #38 · Jul 9, 2021

The beginning of the end with Optima was in 2000 when they were acquired by JCI. I actually interviewed with them right after leaving
Douglas Battery in 2001 and getting back from the excitement in NY that September.
I was not overwhelmed with Johnson's Optima plans......

Reactions: 1

kechke

· #39 · Jul 9, 2021

My first Optima lasted 11 years. The new one has been in the car for a little over12 months.When my car is idle the battery is always connected to a dedicated Optima digital 400 charger.
I think this is the way to keeping them alive.

HoosierBuddy

Discussion Starter · #40 · Jul 9, 2021

69bossnine said:
Out of curiosity, what are you using for a battery maintainer/trickle?

I've used various chargers and trickle chargers over the years. The one that was on it when it failed was this one:

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: CTEK - 40-206 MXS 5.0 Fully Automatic 4.3 amp Battery Charger and Maintainer 12V : Automotive

Buy CTEK - 40-206 MXS 5.0 Fully Automatic 4.3 amp Battery Charger and Maintainer 12V: Battery Chargers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I had it set to AGM mode and it showed fully charged....but it wouldn't start the car. My battery tester showed voltage was good but as soon as I hit the LOAD button it dropped to the "Weak" zone.

So...it's gone and I'm done with Optima. So nice to be driving my mustang today not worrying if it will start without a jump! And I saved $50 vs the cost of a new Optima.

The thing that I think is the worst is they've obviously reengineered the battery to just clear the 3 year full replacement period so they can maximize income and all they've really managed to do is drive off what used to be a loyal customer base. In the mean time, in an age when we are trying to be a bit greener...they have created a need to produce more product than necessary by redesigning a good product to make it less than mediocre.

Rant off.

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