BlackFlux

The alternator went out in my 2K1 SE the other day and someone here suggested I get an Optima red and or yellow top battery. Is there a specific model that I should be looking for or does it matter?

mrmj1218

Go to the autoparts store and they will give you the correct battery. I have a redtop. Hope this helps

tjrocks

iTrader: (4)

I have a redtop, and it works fine!

wngan9447

iTrader: (4)

I have the red also.. from reading your post, you are replacing the alternator right? It just soulds like you're replacing the battery and not the alternator.

Weimar Ben

iTrader: (5)

On what basis are you suggesting he replace the battery instead of the alternator?

It wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the battery since they last an average of 4-5 years anyways and we're headed towards winter soon.

bugbite77

iTrader: (14)

i am also in the process of searching for the optima battery that is just right for my car, i have been told that the red top is just good for starting and normal use but since i have a system, that a yellow top would be my best option,
http://carmansgarage.zoovy.com/c=3rO...oduct/OPTD3478 here is a yellow top i found on line, for a cheep price, but after shipping its about $168, does anyone know where i could find one cheeper, maybe a website that offers free shipping?

PoLo

iTrader: (7)

Model: D34/78
Use Side terminal posts (NOT NOT NOT GM Side Terminal Posts) to power OEM cabling and use top for the audio system.
Picture:

bugbite77

iTrader: (14)

WHERE DID YOU GET THAT VOLT METER!!!!! IVE BEEN LOOKING EVERYWHERE AND EVERYONE THIKS I AM CRAZY, ALSO do you have teh ground for your subs running directly back to the battery?

wngan9447

iTrader: (4)

Read my post again.... there was no suggestion there...

Weimar Ben

iTrader: (5)

My bad...........

MiniRX7

BUMP>.. where did you get that VOLTMETER TERMINAL.. that looks awesome!

PoLo

iTrader: (7)

link to the product. i bought mine from a private sources.

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=422

grounding subs? i hope you mean grounding amps. and no, i have it ground to a hole i mad in my trunk.

Nathan

iTrader: (28)

You can find that voltmeter at any place that sells Stinger products, however not many shops have them in stock.

As for Optima batteries, I would not recommend Yellow tops. I work for a company that is a large Optima dealer in Toronto, and we get on average 1 yellow top per week coming in for warranty. I bought a yellow top less than 3 years ago and it died on me last month. The Red tops have been much more reliable and rarely come back for warranty, Red's also have a better warranty. Also, don't get fooled by Optima's so-called 5 year warranty. It is actually only a 1-year free replacement warranty on the Yellow. After 1 year, it is pro-rated. Which means that if your yellow top fails after 1 year, Optima will only give you credit towards another one of their batteries, in my case, they depreciated my battery so much that I didn't have any credit at all towards the purchase of another battery. I've been selling them for almost 4 years now, and I wouldn't touch a yellow top.

I ended up buying an Exide Orbital extreme deep cycle from a local auto parts store for the same price as a Red top. It is similar to the yellow, but has absolutely no lead in it, and has vents at the top so if the alternator overcharges it, it will not bubble on the sides (unlike optima's). The Exide also has built-in handles at the top & an 18-month free replacement warranty.

here's info on it:
http://www.exideworld.com/products/a...bital_XCD.html

maximo-SE

iTrader: (7)

so this model would work the best with my 2003 nissan maxima?

"Model: D34/78"

Nathan

iTrader: (28)

I believe all of the yellow tops are the same, there may be different model #'s, the difference being the amount of Cranking Amps, and Cold Cranking Amps. The physical size of each one is the same though.

maximo-SE

iTrader: (7)

oh i c. about how long did your stock battery lasted from the time you bought your optima? or did you just swap it out before the stock battery went?

maxgtr2000

iTrader: (29)

I didn't know there was a problem with the yellows. red is pretty much a good starting battery and the blue is a marine deep cycle. If you have a big system or play your sytem alot at car shows get the blue, if not just get the red.

Weimar Ben

iTrader: (5)

If you use a deep cycle battery as a starting battery, it will kill it quickly. If you use a starting battery as a deep cycle, it won't last long either. I wouldn't be surprised that there would be a problem when you try to make a battery play both roles as a starting battery and a deep cycle.

BTW, the exide battery is at sams club for $99.

CRBWS6

iTrader: (1)

I found a close to stock battery to be the red top in size 34R (available at Batteries Plus stores). It is the 34 size with the terminals (top only) "R"eversed to match the stock orientation. For a clean fit, I used an adjustable plastic hold down, new 8" j-hooks (cut length to fit), and extended the the pos. terminal connector by adding a universal terminal (PN 01045 28-7125) to the end of the pos. terminal assembly. All 3 of these pieces were standard items off the shelf at Autozone.

v6guy

Get the Diehard Gold. It has more CCA than the Optima Yellow Top and a MUCH longer warranty that Sears will stick behind. Plus it's about $20 cheaper!!!

Weimar Ben

iTrader: (5)

How many CCA's does it have?

v6guy

I believe that mine has 720. At the lowest it may be 700, but if I remember correctly it's 720.

Weimar Ben

iTrader: (5)

You prolly have the warm weather edition for FL. I just was searching google and I think it's 877 for cold climates.

v6guy

Do yourself a favor and at least go to a Sears and talk to the auto tech before you waste you're money on an Optima.