>I'm thinking of getting an Optima yellow top battery and relocating it in the well of the rear hatch area. I'm choosing it mainly because the dry cell won't have gas venting issues as with normal wet cells. Is there anything else I should know about?

 

i have the red top and have had no issues with it

 

I've had two Optimas die on me.

One was a Yellow Top in my K5 Blazer. I think that one was my own fault though. I had a relay that was staying energized when the key was off....draining the battery. In it's defense, once I charged it up it would work. Provided I drove it daily to keep it charged.

The other was a Red Top in my Grand Cherokee. I bought it in November and it died in January. I have no idea why it died. The battery I replaced lasted 5 years...and the new one is doing just fine. No electrical drains and this is my DD in the winter months.

I've heard that Optima has got some qaulity control issues. Even though Interstate owns them now, and Interstate makes a good battery. I know I've seen links to other peoples problems with them too. If you like, I could probably find them.

 

my Optima Red Top has been working fine for almost a year...

 

I have the red Optima in my IROC. It came with it when I got it a month ago. Seems to be ok.

 

i have a friend who has a yellow top that crapped out on him after a few months. i was going to buy one anyways, but the guy at the parts store said they where crap too, and recomended one of these, thing works pretty damn good, on a full charge it was run with no alternator for about 45 mins and 3 starting cycles. could of prolly ran it longer, but didnt feel like getting stranded.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/Produ...&currentPage=0

 

I've purchased 2 brand new red top optimas .. 1 went bad after a year and they replaced it FREE.. but both are running strong. 800 + cold cranking amps.. yeah baby !!! I cant afford them now, they are selling for 150+ . I purchased mine when they were 109.

I found a place here that sells "refurbished optimas for 50 bucks...!! I've purchased 3 more from them and had 1 go bad on me

 

I have a yellow top up front and one in the rear for my stereo, I've had both for 3+ years and no problems whatsoever. The one up front replaced a red top I had for several years with no problems, that one went to another 3rd gen owner- he hasn't said anything about it yet.

 

Besides dying....has any of your units leaked at all? Any produce that white powdered stuff on the terminals? They're supposed to be dry cells so I was thinking of them for the rear hatch area....don't want any acid corrosion there! Oh, and what size did you guys get? Is the 51 too small or is the 34/78 the one to get? Thanks, guys.