destroyed an optima, bumped my head

[Ralph Rogers]

Well I destroyed another Optima. Don't know how or why. It wasn't even three years old, so it was a free replacement. Went out to start the Wag at the store and nothing, barely a click. Started fine when left the house. Got it jumped and when I got home I put it on the charger and it wouldn't even fire up. Read zero on the charger guage. Volts were only 10.
Good thing it didn't go at Ouray, them Optimas are expensive in MontRose.
Guy at the battery store says it happens once in a while. Should have bought a lottery ticket that day.

Also bumped my head for the first time on the hood latch. Never did that before. Always wondered how people did that. I was crawling into the engine bay installing my new Edelbrock EPS manifild and Truck Avenger (wooo whoooo). Left a good cut too. It hurt. Almost dropped the carb when it happened, but managed to put it down before I started swearing.
Now I just need the new radiator and water pump and steering box and I'll be ready to wheel again.
Ralph

[J4GRAND]

Also bumped my head for the first time on the hood latch. Never did that before.
You are truly a FSJ owner now! I keep a sliced tennis ball that I put over the latch to prevent that from happening (again).

[Bama Burden]

I've had an Optima crap out on me in that same manner. FWIW, I've found it nearly impossible to recharge an Optima.

J4G: Nice idea:thumbsup: :banghead:

[Hubjeep]

FWIW, I've found it nearly impossible to recharge an Optima

X2

Here is the Optima charging procedure recommended by this site (who has a 100 amp charger??): :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
http://www.batteriesareus.com/index.php?main_page=infopages&pages_id=2

1) Charge the battery A MINIMUM OF 100 amps for 15 mins ( @ 14.5+ volts)
a) Let battery and charger cool for 15 mins
2) Repeat step one at least four times - after letting battery cool 15 mins after each charge
3) Charge at 2-10 amps (trickle / automatic) for 24 hours minimum
4) Test the battery
5) D31 batteries: repeat each step again

That is the primary reason I do not use Optimas. Instead, I use Odyssey batteries. I have completely discharged mine about 6 times (left key switch on). A 15 amp charge easily brought it back to life. :) BTW, my friend with a repair shop never uses Optimas.

http://www.batterymart.com/c-odyssey.html

-John :cool:

[joe]

Just my two cents but Optima's IMO are the most over rated battery out there. Ran duals in my CJ at $135 a pop. Worked well and lasted 4 years or so. Good battery...yes...worth twice the price of a reg battery? No.
Other than being able to run upside down I guess w/o leaking they didn't do anything for me that a quality conventional $75 battery(and w/higher CCA's too) couldn't have done...<shrug>.

Oh...the cut tennis ball sounds like a good idea. :) If I'm going to under there for awhile I tie/dangle a shop rag around the d*mn latch so at least I see it. ;)

[Bama Burden]

X2

I use Odyssey batteries.

http://www.batterymart.com/c-odyssey.html

-John :cool:

hm..."explosion proof"

sounds like a good battery

[Bama Burden]

I'd have to agree with Joe. I've had at least 3 red tops that I can remember and can't claim to have seen any markedly improved performance over the cheaper batteries. It should have told me something after that first one crapped out. I took that as luck of the draw and the dealer gladly gave me a new one.

[will e]

Optima's are a love hate for me. I had some of the original ones and they lasted darn near forever. Then the quality went to crap and I stopped buying them. I am back to optima's and the one in my jeep (yellow top) and the other one in my jeep (red top) seem to be working great.

[Ralph Rogers]

Yup, my first optima lasted 6 years. I figured this one was just a luck of the draw, but after these srories......??

I like them becuase they don't crap out as bad here in the heat and can withstand more bouncing than a coventional. Add the jarring with the heat here and a regular battery is good for 2 years, then you worry.
I also like them as yuo can crank a long time on them and they don't wear down as fast.
I don't like the price and I don't like the fact that they die without warning. I'll take a look at the the Odyssey.

Don't think I'll go to too much trouble over the hood latch. After 17 years of Wags that's the first time. Now I sure it'll happen ever and over.

Ralph

[475thFG]

Optimas are great for what they are (dry), but they should only be used when you really need to worry about spillage. Racers use them for safety reasons. Unless you're offroading ALOT and plan on rolling your Jeep, I wouldn't bother. Too much expense for no good reason. I use those "Everlast" things from Wal Mart. Their top line battery is about $60, has 850 CCA, and they have a 3 year free replacement warranty.

[OrlandoAlex]

This thread is pretty funny, only for what I expected of it. I read the topic and thought you had crushed a Kia Optima, and got a bump from the steering wheel or something. Then when I read that you'd done it before, I was really interested. I tell ya, I'm disappointed, but thankfully no one has been seriously injured.

Alex

[Hubjeep]

hm..."explosion proof"

sounds like a good battery

:D Besides the Jeep, there is one in the backup diesel generator, and a little one in the 13' Whaler. They will hold their charge for 2 years.

-John :cool:

[Ralph Rogers]

That is funny. I didn't know there was a Kia Optima. Now that I do, would make an interesting thread.

I started using Optimas bacause they can withstand vibrations and heat better the a lead acid. And I got tired of running to the store to replace the battery when it went bad every two years. Whenever it got close to the two years I began to worry when it was going to go out on me out on a trail or in BF someplace. It also has to do with what type of offroading you do, and the distances, not just how much.
Granted, if you don't go off road much, or for short distances, they may be a waste. UP until now I didn't worry about the battery dying, now it will make me wonder. Now I may take two along when by myself.
Ralph

[cody14]

This thread is pretty funny, only for what I expected of it. I read the topic and thought you had crushed a Kia Optima, and got a bump from the steering wheel or something. Then when I read that you'd done it before, I was really interested. I tell ya, I'm disappointed, but thankfully no one has been seriously injured.

Alex

hmm yes i thought the same thing lol

[Little Red Wagon]

Just had the same thing on my parts wag... went to move it and... ded battery! wouldn't take a charge. I bought it in Jan for the Little Red Wagon, but swapped it out to move the parts jeep around, The Zone replaced it but I think it has to do with the power drain on these things when their off? I know Jeep had a fix for that and the LRW has had it done but haven't been able to find much else on it?
On a lighter note did you get flooded out there in QC with the rain's we've been havin?

[Ralph Rogers]

Yep. Got over 2 inches in 1/2 hour yesterday. Lost power for 6 hours. Had to go home from work early to dig trenches. My road (dirt) is really tore up from that much rain that fast. Has some major streams cut into it as well as wash out holes.
Been having some good rain for a change. Haven't had decent rains out here for 4 years. Didn't need it all at once though.
I wish my off road wag was up to it I'd be hitting the desert waterfalls and wheelin' around at night in the rain.
Ralph

[phatmax95]

I have found my red top optima lasts alot longer that regular batteries when it dies and you recharge it over and over. Regular batteries would not recharge after a while, whereas the optima keeps taking a charge once it goes dead. I have a small drain, and I also only drive it like once every 2 weeks. Been unhooking it recently though, everytime I get out for 24hrs or more. Have charged mine back up at least 3 times the past 6 months with no problems, with my old sears battery charger.

[learfxr]

I've been using WalMart batteries. I heard they actually got very high ratings when compared to the big batt companies. I have them in my bass boat and in my other vehicles. If you kill one in the first year or so you can just take it into any Walmart and get fixed up. My boat trolling motor batteries are both large Walmart batts. I abuse them a lot and they are great. I've been using them in my project vehicles when I want to drive them around. One of my boat batts is in the J10 now.

[madmule]

I've had an Optima crap out on me in that same manner. FWIW, I've found it nearly impossible to recharge an Optima.

J4G: Nice idea:thumbsup: :banghead:

I've charged a couple of them with my motorcycle battery charger. Takes about 3 days, but it works fine. It's the trickle effect that Optima's respond to best.

[Lazarus]

-----Here is the Optima charging procedure recommended by this site (who has a 100 amp charger??): :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
http://www.batteriesareus.com/index....ges&pages_id=2-----


my charger has settings up to 175 amps and from 6-24v.... I have always been able to bring my optimas back... even if they have been dead for more than a year... we have red tops in everything around here... no good reason, dad just likes the color i guess... although blue is his favorite color... I think its the macho feeling he gets from using something expensive...

[drlocke]

You are truly a FSJ owner now! I keep a sliced tennis ball that I put over the latch to prevent that from happening (again).

Good idea! I've had that gad-fabbid thing graze my upper slopes on more than one occasion.

[BRUTUS]

FWIW, Ralph gave me a ride to the Autozone in Montevista CO that is referenced above because my Interstate battery wasn't taking a charge midway through the Ouray experience. Honestly, I had discharged that Interstate battery 10-15 times in around 3 years and it always came back no problem. We collectively determined that running dual electric fans, CB, radio, etc must have been too much for the battery after a couple days of HARD use.

I bought the red top at the zone for $177 (before tax) and was like :eek: then :mad:!! Had to put a spacer under the red-top just so I could clamp it down to my stock battery holder. Wheeled it the rest of the trip and drove it home.

Just last week I took it back to the the local zone to get my money back. I figure I can go buy two of the commercial grade (Interstate batteries response to better vibration handling) batteries and the battery backup setup from 12voltguy.com for the price of the **** red top! And have battery-redundancy instead of a cool colored cap. Yeah I will still have to put distilled water in... and check for floating lead... but no big whoop. The only thing that I regret is that I would have gotten a metric butt-ton of rebate on a new Interstate battery if I had brought the old one back. I shouldn't have bit on the $10 core return at the zone... :banghead: $#|+!!!

BTW.. thanks again for the ride Ralph.

[kennyh]

I am currently working on a fail-safe way of getting home in the event of a battery failure. It is similar to a rechargeable camera that also will take regular AA batteries in a pinch. You see, I have come up with a box slightly larger than a regular FSJ battery that will accept D-cell alkalines, 9 in series, and do these batches in parallel with one another 14 times, for a total of 126 batteries. This easily starts an old FSJ with questionable compression. When not in use, the added weight of 126 D-cells handily increases traction in the rear if they're stored back there. I will be selling these contraptions for $130 each at the next Ouray Invasion. Also, if you buy one I will give you free information on how to buy merchandise and real property confiscated by the government in drug raids for little or no money down. In addition, each box will come with a Fuel Mizer gimicky magnet thingy which is worth its weight in gold to any FSJ owner.

[kennyh]

Did I mention that batteries were not included with the box? Just covering all my bases here...

[Bama Burden]

I bought the red top at the zone for $177 (before tax) and was like :eek: then :mad:!!

Gawd Almighty, it seems like the last time I bought a red top that I didn't pay more than $115-120

[Hubjeep]

kennyh = :funny:

http://images.orgill.com/200x200/6644611.JPG

[drlocke]

I've been using WalMart batteries. I heard they actually got very high ratings when compared to the big batt companies. I have them in my bass boat and in my other vehicles. If you kill one in the first year or so you can just take it into any Walmart and get fixed up. My boat trolling motor batteries are both large Walmart batts. I abuse them a lot and they are great. I've been using them in my project vehicles when I want to drive them around. One of my boat batts is in the J10 now.

I'm a WalMart EverStart believer.....

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c300/drlocke/battrey.jpg

With this arrangement my Waggy has always roared to life on the very first touch of the starter--even down to -20*F.

BTW battery cabling is crucial to reliability in the cold. The negative lead shown has been replaced with an even heavier lead. I run a minimum of #2 gauge wire. As far as I'm concerned the #4 normally used is fit only for use on a garden tractor, and has no place whatsoever in a car in the north country.

[Hubjeep]

I'm a WalMart EverStart believer.....


The ZJ has one of those. Hard to beat $60 and a 3-year full warranty. Made by Johnson Controls, same people who make the Sears, and Interstate batteries (as I recall).

[Tahnka]

I run Walmart Everstarts after toasting an Optima. It has been my experience that an Everstart just doesn't like to recharge after a complete drain; but with a 3 year warranty I just replace the dead batt with my backup and replace the dead one under warranty. I went to the Everstart because the Optima also refused to recharge after a complete drain.

Welcome to the meat-hook club. The more experienced of the club have a big enough hole in their cranium to store a few sockets.

[BRUTUS]

Gawd Almighty, it seems like the last time I bought a red top that I didn't pay more than $115-120

The lady behind the counter joked that since it was "wheelin' season" the optima prices were increased. IE price gouging. I am just glad I was able to return it! :D

[Gambler68]

The lady behind the counter joked that since it was "wheelin' season" the optima prices were increased. IE price gouging. I am just glad I was able to return it! :D

just killed a red top so ressurrecting the thread.

I woulda said "well now it's SLAPPING SEASON, so I can to this.."

slap.

:cool:

[tkiller13]

Im about to go buy a battery today also. Optima= junk. I deal with a lot of them at work. Ive seen them just go bad and every one that got drained did not recharge no matter what we tried. Pretty expensive paper weight.

[DesertWaggy]

Yep. Got over 2 inches in 1/2 hour yesterday.
Been having some good rain for a change. Haven't had decent rains out here for 4 years. Didn't need it all at once though

That's the only way to grow enough fire starter for the coming 120 degrees :mad: I'm getting hot thinking about it..

[Gambler68]

dude, it was so flat it wouldnt light up an LED I hooked up to the terminals.

Talking with the member here I got the rig from, it may be a sticking tailgate window switch that drained it, because I cant see kickpanel lights draining it overnight (ones that go one when door is not shut all the way).

[mark32725]

Only get the ones with a D in the part number (DeepCycle) they sell them both ways in the same colors...

[TexTJ209]

Try trickle charging them. They usually aren't dead.

[BlackBart]

Wow, this thread is a shocker. Our first Optima was bought in 1998, because after ONE WEEK with a new interstate with new cables I had the grunt-click-click. ONE WEEK and I had to remove and clean the F****** corrosion. I did not use the crap use your old cable fixit ends, totally new cables. As of 2006 the vehicle it was in and never failed to start, and I have NEVER had to clean a corroded terminal on an Optima. (we have eight of them.) I hate corroded cable ends and boosting stuff/ wiggling or cleaning corrosion every time you try to drive something. The eight years we got out of the first optima, combined with the truck starting every single time the key was turned made me a believer. (It was even a chevy).
I know there are certain components that some people don't get along with.
(I can walk by a vehicle and it will smoke a HEI distributor. Same thing with TH 400 trannys.)
I really feel bad for you guys who've had trouble with them.
If they went to $500.00 each, and slobbertop batteries were $20.00 I'd still buy the optima.(Just not as often.)
Hope yaall find a soultion that works for you.

[Ralph Rogers]

Even though I had two go dead I still buy them. The two I had go dead in the last 8 years (two differnet vehicles) doesn't even come close to the number of regular batteries I would have bought.

"I hate corroded cable ends and boosting stuff/ wiggling or cleaning corrosion every time you try to drive something."
That's funny. Amen.

Ralph

[shimniok]

Sure you don't have a tailgate short? That's my problem.

I flattened two optimas because of this. The first was unrecoverable, the second, a local 4x4 shop put on their HD charger and it was fine. I've since run down Optimas and always been able to recharge.

I think it is when you severely flatten the battery for an extended period that it dies.

Get a PriorityStart battery cutout. I keep telling people about these but will anyone listen? noooo... :D

Saved my butt numerous times. Altho it makes it easy to put off fixing a short because you kind of never have to. I suspect it's that stupid rear window switch ... *()!@*#!

My current Optima is a little over 4 years old now and no sign of slowing down.

Compare to my Subaru battery which is 3 years old and dead as hell because I left the car in a snow bank for several weeks after sitting for 3 months. :) I could charge it but it wouldn't hold a charge. Bah.

I think Optimas are great. So there. :p

Michael

[Gambler68]

I asked my friend who runs Southwest 4x4 in Durango to pop it on his HD charger, and it crept up to 13.6 and stayed there. Picked it up today and he said it survived and took a charge. *whew*

I'm fairly sure that yes, I do have a short. I disconnected the two brown wire harness right off the motor and put in an old but good battery and it hasn't drained it. I'm going to check out the wires tomorrow, it may be on the tailgate, or may be the dash switch. Sometimes I get a wicked voltage bounce on the gauge and the electric Holley redtop fluctuates with it, somethings goofy in there.

[Trickpatrick]

I have a delco in my work van has lasted 7 years!
I gusse once you get a good one then your brand loyal:cool:

[BlackBart]

I have a delco in my work van has lasted 7 years!
I gusse once you get a good one then your brand loyal:cool:

This reminded me, I don't know if this is just all in my head, or not(or maybe an illuminatti conspiracy) it seems the batteries that come in a new vehicle seem to last forever, but if you buy the exact spme battery(in theory) even from a dealership, you get the dead battery every two year syndrome.
Am I the only one who noticed (madeup) this?
I would hate for this theory to be all in my head, cause I despise new vehicles.
What do y'all think? Delusion, or do battery manufacturers have two different grade of batteries?

[Rogue]

yea I had that two year thing in my DD s-10 until I bought an Interstate five years ago or so.... :confused: beats me my memory is going but I do know I went through three or four cheapos in a short amount of time.

i have a red top in my javelin i start it once a month, its been dead countless times, always comes back with a trickle charger - never heard of this 100 amp charge before or even why you would want to... it just takes time to unsulfate the plates in a battery - the longer and slower ( read - less heat build up ) you charge it the better your chances of recovery are. at least that is what I was taught. works for me, more times than i could count anyhow. also have a yellow top in my firebird thats been dead quite a few times, it always trickle charged back to life.