Whats white and black and red all over

I am no longer a fan of them.

They work great and then seem to get a memory in my Mark's for some reason and wont last long at all before needing a jump.
 
there great if you have them in use all the time but i had one in my occasional car and it was always dead and eventually died early
 
I love Optima. Years ago they were spectacular then several years ago they turned to chit. Interstate is now using different internal stuffs and better ways to put them together so for the last 2 years it seems the batteries have gotten back to how they used to be. Solid, powerfull and reliable. I wouldnt hesitate to use them again.
 
Isn't optima made by Johnson Controls?
Edit: Ok, a little research shows that Interstate batteries is a company which markets batteries made by johnson controls. Johnson controls paid cash for a swedish company, back in 2000, who was the original manufacturer of the optima battery line.
 
We use Red and Yellow tops on all of our Generators where I work. Roughly 200 of them and they do drain pretty quick if you don't have a charger on them. I've seen them die in under a month!! If you let it sit, put a tender on it. :cool:
 
Psychostang said:
Isn't optima made by Johnson Controls?
Edit: Ok, a little research shows that Interstate batteries is a company which markets batteries made by johnson controls. Johnson controls paid cash for a swedish company, back in 2000, who was the original manufacturer of the optima battery line.
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Thats right about when they went to crap. I have one from 06 here thats crap and one from 96 thats still going strong.
 
I have a tender on mine all the time when its sitting... I have a tender on the Cobra and Mark and just unhooked the old GMC since it doesnt have any computer :q:q:q:q to remember...
 
Optimas are junk imo. Never had one last very long. Saying to put a trickle charger on it desn't make me want to try another either ;)
 
I've used Optima blue tops, LifeLine (expensive), Odyssey, and Interstate batteries on boats, which of course sit for long periods without being used. Interstates seem great for the price, just monitor the fluid level and pH.
I no longer use Deka batteries, as I can get an Optima for the same price and it seems of better quality. Definitely no walmart or autozone junk in my toys.
 
MKVIIRIP said:
Definitely no walmart or autozone junk in my toys.
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I just picked up a 90' Formula Firebird for a street/drag race toy and grabbed a Walmart battery for it. Actually come to think of it that's what I have in my Mark now too. Cheep and it works :rolleyes:
 
I used an Odyssey battery for over 6 years and was pleased with it's service as it was abused and often neglected.
 
I dont think I will have an issue with it getting low or anything because its not on the mark, its on the impala, so it will NEVER sit. I will tell you one thing. I will be keeping the battery if the car ever gets sold. I just cant justify giving that money away. lol.
 
as stated, marine battery if it sits have one on dads 33' scarab sits alot starts every time. got $50 autozone in my car since i got it 2yrs, no prob. optimas are great on large current draws like high end stereos, etc. but lose charge for some reason
 
Anybody here ever try those Lithium-Ion car batteries? They read as super-light and super-powerful. I use Ryobi battery drills & saws all the time and I can tell you the regular batteries wind down, drill goes slower as it dies, then it has to be recharged. The Li-Ion batteries we have for the same tools last 3 times as long, and NEVER go slower, they just quit when they are dead. I'm wondering if the car batteries do the same!

http://www.lithiumpros.com
 
Thats ho Li batteries are. Full power then nothing. Was always tricky in RC helicopters when testing a new battery pack. :lol:
They will do the same in a car. Problem is they dont do well when hot or cold and they are prone to exploding when warm or overly used. Dont see it as a viable car battery. Yes for an electric car since the electronics can protect it but not in a regular car. Our Alts are not set up for Li batteries special needs.
 
LaserSVT said:
Thats ho Li batteries are. Full power then nothing. Was always tricky in RC helicopters when testing a new battery pack. :lol:
They will do the same in a car. Problem is they dont do well when hot or cold and they are prone to exploding when warm or overly used. Dont see it as a viable car battery. Yes for an electric car since the electronics can protect it but not in a regular car. Our Alts are not set up for Li batteries special needs.
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That makes sense, cause if you look at the new electric cars that use Li batteries, they all have some elaborate battery cooling system that I've read. The Tesla has something like a thousand small Li batteries so if one dies, the car keeps going - driver just gets a little light telling them one cell failed.
 
There are a few guys on the swift forums using lithium batteries for a few months now with no issues. in a car that small a 30lb weight loss is pretty noticeable.
 
vr4 said:
There are a few guys on the swift forums using lithium batteries for a few months now with no issues. in a car that small a 30lb weight loss is pretty noticeable.
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So how do they maintain battery temps? Do they not use them in cold or does the battery have some tech in it to stay warm?

I ask because on my RC helicopters when I would fly on a 35-40* day I would only have2-3 minutes of flight compared to 12 minutes on a 70* day.
 
LaserSVT said:
Thats ho Li batteries are. Full power then nothing. Was always tricky in RC helicopters when testing a new battery pack. :lol:
They will do the same in a car. Problem is they dont do well when hot or cold and they are prone to exploding when warm or overly used. Dont see it as a viable car battery. Yes for an electric car since the electronics can protect it but not in a regular car. Our Alts are not set up for Li batteries special needs.
Click to expand...

have the lithium in both my helicopters. went out of range the other day, broke tail rotor. $6 x heli, $13 shipping!
 
LaserSVT said:
So how do they maintain battery temps? Do they not use them in cold or does the battery have some tech in it to stay warm?

I ask because on my RC helicopters when I would fly on a 35-40* day I would only have2-3 minutes of flight compared to 12 minutes on a 70* day.
Click to expand...



Couldn't tell ya. A few of them are up in canada and didn't have any trouble last year.


I plan on getting one and mounting it under the dash on the center tunnel. 1' run to the alt and starter. Itll keep it a bit warmer too. (in my swift)


Just asked. Below freezing on a 12:1 cr 1.3 it started just fine after sitting a few days. Doesn't mean it will work on a 4.6
 
I don't see the point of paying for an Optima. Their quality control seems to be back up, but a GOOD standard battery will last forever as well. One of the good Johnson Controls batteries (Duralast Gold, Kirkland at Costco, many more) is the best for the money IMO.

Hell, my parent's old Ranger even has a 12 year old Valucraft battery that works fine, so you can get lucky with anything - not that I'd recommend anything from Valucraft other than their brake cleaner.
 
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