optima battery

[etlsport]

yet another question!

all the talk of batteries and alternators got me thinking it might be worth upgrading my battery soon since the battery in there now appears that it came stock. so naturally i started looking at optima batteries, a red top would probably do fine as the stock battery is holding up OK, i can run my stereo for about an hour with the vx off before it wont start on its own

but a blue top would be awesome for its power and cosmetics (my engine bay is dressed in blue) but thats not important enough to warrant spending the extra money if the battery isnt worth it, ive read that its a little too big for the VX and requires some modding to make it fit? also i saw that driver3 has had trouble with his vx starting w/ a blue top after only a few months??

[VehiX]

I use the Red Top Optima battery as you can see in the picture below:

(Click image to enlarge)


A yellow top would only be needed in the event you are running a winch, lots of driving lights a huge stereo system or all of the above.

The blue top is used mostly for marine/water craft. The design is such that you can leave the blue top stored for a year or more (seasonal), get in and start it right up were most other batteries would need to be charged.

If I'm not mistaken all optima batteries can be mounted right side up or side ways if you are concerned about space.

Looks like you probably just need the red top but I'll let you be the judge of that.

Do some research here for starters:

http://www.optimabatteries.com/publi...nfig/home.html

Best of luck

[driver3]

http://www.invertersrus.com/optimad31m.html

The blue top is the same as the yellow top.. but the blue has nice accessory posts with wing nuts, and the posts for your engine wiring cables..

I have over 113k on my alternator.. that's why I was asking in the post about alternators and having an issue starting.. I also had an issue starting with my old battery... which was not an optima

[nfpgasmask]

...I would say, just get a red top, and spray it blue

Bart

[etlsport]

haha bart... id thought about that.. wasnt sure if paint would mess anything up (ie metal chips in the paint or something)

[nfpgasmask]

haha bart... id thought about that.. wasnt sure if paint would mess anything up (ie metal chips in the paint or something)

Yeah, I suppose that could be a concern...but if you did a good clean job and masked off properly, the top of the battery really doesn't touch anything important, I guess you would just have to worry about deterioration over time...

Bart

[kpaske]

The blue top is the same as the yellow top..

The Optima Blue Top means it's a marine battery. They are not all the same. There are several models that are deep cycle (like the yellow top), but also a starting battery (like the red top). I have been running the blue top starting battery (model 34M) in my VX for a few years now. (http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/...op_battery.asp )

When I originally did my research, I concluded that the blue top starting battery was nearly identical to the red top starting battery. In practice, it has behaved exactly as any other starting battery.

I did have to have it replaced once, under warranty. After sitting for about a month, it was completely dead and would not take a charge. The store I bought it from exchanged it for a new one and I haven't had any problems in nearly a year and a half. I've heard some reports of "quality control problems" with Optima, but from my experience, they are great batteries. For the past several months, my VX has mostly sat, only being driven once a week. I do have a solar trickle charger on it now, because my aftermarket alarm system draws a little bit of power, and over time i think that contributes to battery drain. But now it starts up strong every single time.

[driver3]

The Optima Blue Top means it's a marine battery. They are not all the same. There are several models that are deep cycle (like the yellow top), but also a starting battery (like the red top). I have been running the blue top starting battery (model 34M) in my VX for a few years now. (http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/...op_battery.asp )

When I originally did my research, I concluded that the blue top starting battery was nearly identical to the red top starting battery. In practice, it has behaved exactly as any other starting battery.

I did have to have it replaced once, under warranty. After sitting for about a month, it was completely dead and would not take a charge. The store I bought it from exchanged it for a new one and I haven't had any problems in nearly a year and a half. I've heard some reports of "quality control problems" with Optima, but from my experience, they are great batteries. For the past several months, my VX has mostly sat, only being driven once a week. I do have a solar trickle charger on it now, because my aftermarket alarm system draws a little bit of power, and over time i think that contributes to battery drain. But now it starts up strong every single time.

this is the link I meant
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/faq18.asp
The blue and yellow top are the same, except blue has extra terminals

From the link
"The D31-series batteries are the largest made by Optima. The only differences are in the type of electrical connections and the color. There is no difference in the internal construction or performance of these three batteries; they are electrically identical. "

[psychos2]

this is the link I meant
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/faq18.asp
The blue and yellow top are the same, except blue has extra terminals

From the link
"The D31-series batteries are the largest made by Optima. The only differences are in the type of electrical connections and the color. There is no difference in the internal construction or performance of these three batteries; they are electrically identical. "

Except for the difference in the CCA's. The D31 is 900 CCA's. shawn