OPTIMA Yellow, UDP, my alternator and battery failed.

This could all be random I do not know.
My optima yellow top deep cycle battery has bad cells. The battery was only 4 months old. I have around 75000 miles on my car. The alternator went out.

I also run a big PPI amp for my 10w6s as well.

Anyone have long term success with the optima yellow top being used as a normal car battery, UDP, and run amps?

My alternator and battery were under warranty.

Jeg’s allowed me to swap to a red top instead and gave me over $40 back cash.

I have weighed the differences for yellow and red. I KNOW that deep cycles are not meant to be used with an alternator, but I now learned my lesson. When it comes down to it, the only real advantage to me is that the yellow has a slightly longer reserve time to last longer. I have found out that amount of time is not much longer than the red top. Besides that, the red top has much more CCA and the other number(i forget what it is off the top of my head, I'll edit this post and correct it later tonight). Bottom line, I think for over $40, the deep cycle(yellow top) is not worth it for my application. Deep cycle is meant for true racing where you just run off the battery alone and no alternator and recharge after the race. ( I think) Also for other applications in which you are not using an alternator and constantly charging the battery. The deep cycle is meant to be drained all the way down (give or take a little), then recharged.
I also found that the yellow is slightly heavier, for you weight conscious racers, =P It is very slim so obviously weight should not be a factor in your decision.

Well I hope this helps anyone out debating to get red or yellow, I just advise you to compare the reds stats to the yellows. I think that even if you have a real intense audio system, using the alternator to charge a deep cycle battery constantly will burn it out. You should maybe run a standard red top along with a deep cycle or something else for your electronics.

best of luck!

 

more info from optima site:

14. When should I consider a deep cycle?
Any time you need the battery to supply all the operating power for a vehicle or other device. Additionally, deep cycle batteries should be used in vehicles that have heavy accessory loads where the alternator cannot maintain the battery in a fully charged condition.


It sounds like optima says you can use either yellow as a starter battery. I guess it is your call =)

http://www.optimabatteries.com/faq.asp

#17 on the faq is great, I just recommend everyone read the site faq.

Here is some more specific data on them:

red yellow
BCI: 104 minutes 120 minutes
CCA: 750 550
MCA: 980 870
# of deep cycles can do: ~50 cycles ~350 cycles
cycle life 10000-12000 cycles 10000-12000 cycles
weight 38 lbs 43 lbs


AS you can see, the yellow can do many more deep cycles. Yellow only lasts 16 more minutes though. Red has much higher amps for starting.

 

I have a 97 SE with the Yellow Top, UDP, upgraded 80 watt headlights, and a 700 watt RMS system. I've had it for about a year with no problems at all. My digital capacitor has read out consistent voltage through the year and I don't think I will have any problems in the near future.

Perhaps your problem is related to the recall for the faulty alternator discovered in the 97 Maxima. Though I have no complaints with my system, I would still like Nissan to check out my car...don't want any potential problems.