Optima Red vs. Yellow - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

muddpile · 02-26-2007, 12:45 PM

Since I had to buy a new inner fender, front fender, battery tray and rebuild my rad support due to rust, I have decided a sealed battery is the ticket for me. I have read countless reviews on here, and Optimas look like a good deal. One thing I can't seem to see though, is what is the better choice, the yellow or the red? The yellow looks like it can be drained/charged a million times, but what are the advantages to the red? The color means nothing to me, as I will be painting the top to match my truck.

Also, what do I have to buy for adapters to get this thing to fit my factory 72 battery tray and hold-down?

Thanks!

KFreddy · 02-26-2007, 02:17 PM

Comparing the Optima red and yellow top, both as group 34 batteries.

Yellow top description:
# 810 Cranking Amps
# 650 Cold Cranking Amps
# 98 Minute Reserve
# 48 AH
# 9.4" Length x 6.8" Width x 7.6" Heigth
# Approx. 38 lbs.
# Notes: Deep Cycle Battery, Standard Auto Posts On Top with GM side terminals, Comes with Carrying Strap, Excellent Multi Purpose Battery for Cars and Trucks, Use For Starting and Deep Cycling, Great Choice For Audio/Video Systems, Aux. Lights, Winches, Etc.

Red top description:
* 980 Cranking Amps
* 800 Cold Cranking Amps
* 110 Minute Reserve
* 55 AH
* 10" Length x 6.8" Width x 7.8" Heigth
* Approx. 39 lbs.
* Notes: Non-Deep Cycle Battery, Standard Auto Posts On Top with GM Side Terminals, Comes with Carrying Strap, Excellent Starting Battery for Cars and Trucks

Hope this helps,

-Fred

Mudder · 02-26-2007, 02:52 PM

I think the yellow is more for marine use from what I was told. The orginal clamps hold my battery just fine.

ed2552 · 02-26-2007, 03:40 PM

The blue is for marine use

e rock · 02-26-2007, 03:45 PM

If you don't have any application that will deeply discharge your battery (running high wattage stereo for hours on end at competition level, regularly using a winch, lots of lights running without engine on, etc) you might as well save the $70 and get the red top.

FWIW, I love my Yellow top, but my FJ40 has a small alternator and sees a lot of winch duty so it's worth it to me.

If you're not dead-set on Optimas (there seems to be a lot of complaints about degrading quality over the past couple years), people seem happy with the Exide Orbitals which are VERY similar in design to Optima.

Good luck,
Eric

shifty · 02-26-2007, 03:48 PM

Yellow is deep cycle. Red is not. What does this mean for you?

You can drain the yellow completely several times and it won't die. You drain a red completely a couple of times and it's toast.

I guess you are best to decide whether or not you drain your battery almost all the way regularly.

70396CST10 · 02-26-2007, 04:01 PM

My redtop always cranks my drag car with no issues.. Even when having to crank a lot because of flooding or whatever the battery never gives up.. Recharging is quick and the batteries are light.. And the 3 year warranty is nice also.. I am happy with my redtop..

Good Luck..

James..

As2rd · 02-26-2007, 04:08 PM

I also use the red top and it still works as if it was new. I drained the battery completely by accident cause i created a short with the wrong kind of alternator. still works. I did have to add a 2 ohm resistor for my radio but thats it. Love the battery, will use on all my trucks when the old one goes bad. Tough on the money but its worth it

.---Andy

**special-K** · 02-26-2007, 04:30 PM

I put a yellow in a truck that kept draining the battery.I`ve since figured the problem out and have a late-model one wire alt/volt reg system.I`ve used marine batteries in campers and they perform great for cold cranking.Also great for trucks that don`t get driven all winter.I generally remove them and store inside.But,sometimes time slips away on me.

muddpile · 02-26-2007, 05:52 PM

Sounds like a red top is the battery for me. Thanks!

Frizzle Fry · 02-26-2007, 07:04 PM

I just put a 34/78 Red top in my 69 Burb. I played around with different ways to mount it and I think I found the best method. The battery will come with several "clips." I used the "wing clips." The front clip is installed as designed but the rear clip is flipped over. The rear flange of the battery tray and the nut-plate/bracket had to be tweaked back just slightly. Then the factory hold down worked perfectly. I've read about guys clearancing the factory hold-down to clear the center cell. I wanted to minimize unnecessary butchering. I was going to write up a thread on it. I'll post pics when I can.

Oh, and the battery is awesome (so far).

Frizzle Fry · 02-26-2007, 10:13 PM

Now I just need to replace some sheetmetal

Here you go:

Frizzle Fry · 02-26-2007, 10:15 PM

You can see that I removed the clips or tabs from this wing-clip because they were pointing up and looking dumb...

**truckdude239** · 02-26-2007, 11:47 PM

red for starting yellow for for audio blue for mariana

muddpile · 02-27-2007, 12:47 AM

Thanks for the pics Frizzle Fry. Those will be very helpful when it comes time to mount this unit up.

dailydragger03 · 02-27-2007, 12:59 AM

I have had the same yellow top for 5 years now. I have a stereo that draws a max of 160 amps and a 12 volt air compressor for my suspension that draws 70 amps continuous when it is running. It has never given me any trouble.

JRracing · 02-27-2007, 02:01 AM

I have the red one in my camaro and it is a good looking and performing battery.

Americanrider · 02-27-2007, 03:34 AM

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...tery_setup.htm

Some very good advice on battery tech here....

BOTTOM LINE: Don't use a Deep Cycle batt for Hi AMP draw like winches.

Red tops are great for trucks, I'm running 2 of them.

*Shane* · 02-27-2007, 09:23 AM

Can't say for everyone's area, but my local COSTCO carries Optima batteries and at a pretty good savings too, from what I can remember.

jpkerley · 02-27-2007, 11:48 AM

ok this may be a dumb question but I heard you cant charge these with a regular battery charger, any truth to this??

70396CST10 · 02-27-2007, 11:54 AM

I used a standard 100 amp charger on mine with no problems but then again I never asked if I could or not..

Good Luck..

James..

joe k · 02-27-2007, 05:59 PM

I was'nt able to recharge my Red top with my old charger,it would sound funny and it was heating up. Had to buy a new one that was compatable with a glass mat battery.

LUV2XCLR8 · 02-27-2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdude239

red for starting, yellow for for audio, blue for mariana

That's what my buddy told me about them

JameslovesJammie · 02-27-2007, 11:48 PM

Optima is a gell cell battery. When testing/charging them, a setting has to be changed on the machin to gell cell. That is how our Sabre and PowerLogic testers are.

pissonNOS · 02-28-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane

Can't say for everyone's area, but my local COSTCO carries Optima batteries and at a pretty good savings too, from what I can remember.

same here, also walmart carries them and is fairly cheap

02-26-2007, 12:45 PM	#1
muddpile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 1,371	Optima Red vs. Yellow Since I had to buy a new inner fender, front fender, battery tray and rebuild my rad support due to rust, I have decided a sealed battery is the ticket for me. I have read countless reviews on here, and Optimas look like a good deal. One thing I can't seem to see though, is what is the better choice, the yellow or the red? The yellow looks like it can be drained/charged a million times, but what are the advantages to the red? The color means nothing to me, as I will be painting the top to match my truck. Also, what do I have to buy for adapters to get this thing to fit my factory 72 battery tray and hold-down? Thanks! __________________ 1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open

02-26-2007, 02:17 PM	#2
KFreddy Active Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 286	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow Comparing the Optima red and yellow top, both as group 34 batteries. Yellow top description: # 810 Cranking Amps # 650 Cold Cranking Amps # 98 Minute Reserve # 48 AH # 9.4" Length x 6.8" Width x 7.6" Heigth # Approx. 38 lbs. # Notes: Deep Cycle Battery, Standard Auto Posts On Top with GM side terminals, Comes with Carrying Strap, Excellent Multi Purpose Battery for Cars and Trucks, Use For Starting and Deep Cycling, Great Choice For Audio/Video Systems, Aux. Lights, Winches, Etc. Red top description: * 980 Cranking Amps * 800 Cold Cranking Amps * 110 Minute Reserve * 55 AH * 10" Length x 6.8" Width x 7.8" Heigth * Approx. 39 lbs. * Notes: Non-Deep Cycle Battery, Standard Auto Posts On Top with GM Side Terminals, Comes with Carrying Strap, Excellent Starting Battery for Cars and Trucks Hope this helps, -Fred

02-26-2007, 02:52 PM	#3
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow I think the yellow is more for marine use from what I was told. The orginal clamps hold my battery just fine.

02-26-2007, 03:40 PM	#4
ed2552 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Charles City IA Posts: 1,626	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow The blue is for marine use __________________ '67 C20, Under the Knife!, LWB, Eaton HO-52, Rear Coil Springs 72' GMC C2500, 350, TH400(?), Dana 60 '67 K10 4-spd., 305, SM465, Dana 44, 12 Bolt, RUST! '65 C60 292, 4 spd, 2 spd Rearend, 15' Grain Box, MINT! 09 Yukon Denali 82k Miles 6.2L/6A

02-26-2007, 03:45 PM	#5
e rock Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 87	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow If you don't have any application that will deeply discharge your battery (running high wattage stereo for hours on end at competition level, regularly using a winch, lots of lights running without engine on, etc) you might as well save the $70 and get the red top. FWIW, I love my Yellow top, but my FJ40 has a small alternator and sees a lot of winch duty so it's worth it to me. If you're not dead-set on Optimas (there seems to be a lot of complaints about degrading quality over the past couple years), people seem happy with the Exide Orbitals which are VERY similar in design to Optima. Good luck, Eric

02-26-2007, 03:48 PM	#6
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow Yellow is deep cycle. Red is not. What does this mean for you? You can drain the yellow completely several times and it won't die. You drain a red completely a couple of times and it's toast. I guess you are best to decide whether or not you drain your battery almost all the way regularly. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

02-26-2007, 04:01 PM	#7
70396CST10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Westminster, SC Posts: 50	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow My redtop always cranks my drag car with no issues.. Even when having to crank a lot because of flooding or whatever the battery never gives up.. Recharging is quick and the batteries are light.. And the 3 year warranty is nice also.. I am happy with my redtop.. Good Luck.. James..

02-26-2007, 04:08 PM	#8
As2rd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lexington Park, MD Posts: 47	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow I also use the red top and it still works as if it was new. I drained the battery completely by accident cause i created a short with the wrong kind of alternator. still works. I did have to add a 2 ohm resistor for my radio but thats it. Love the battery, will use on all my trucks when the old one goes bad. Tough on the money but its worth it .---Andy __________________ 1972 Chevy Truck 350ci/th350 Auto. Daily Driver

02-26-2007, 04:30 PM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow I put a yellow in a truck that kept draining the battery.I`ve since figured the problem out and have a late-model one wire alt/volt reg system.I`ve used marine batteries in campers and they perform great for cold cranking.Also great for trucks that don`t get driven all winter.I generally remove them and store inside.But,sometimes time slips away on me. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-26-2007, 05:52 PM	#10
muddpile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 1,371	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow Sounds like a red top is the battery for me. Thanks! __________________ 1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open

02-26-2007, 07:04 PM	#11
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow I just put a 34/78 Red top in my 69 Burb. I played around with different ways to mount it and I think I found the best method. The battery will come with several "clips." I used the "wing clips." The front clip is installed as designed but the rear clip is flipped over. The rear flange of the battery tray and the nut-plate/bracket had to be tweaked back just slightly. Then the factory hold down worked perfectly. I've read about guys clearancing the factory hold-down to clear the center cell. I wanted to minimize unnecessary butchering. I was going to write up a thread on it. I'll post pics when I can. Oh, and the battery is awesome (so far). Last edited by Frizzle Fry; 02-26-2007 at 10:17 PM.

02-26-2007, 10:13 PM	#12
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow Now I just need to replace some sheetmetal Here you go: Attached Images

02-26-2007, 10:15 PM	#13
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow You can see that I removed the clips or tabs from this wing-clip because they were pointing up and looking dumb... Attached Images Last edited by Frizzle Fry; 02-26-2007 at 10:19 PM.

02-26-2007, 11:47 PM	#14
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow red for starting yellow for for audio blue for mariana __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

02-27-2007, 12:47 AM	#15
muddpile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 1,371	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow Thanks for the pics Frizzle Fry. Those will be very helpful when it comes time to mount this unit up. __________________ 1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open



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02-27-2007, 12:59 AM	#16
dailydragger03 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sevierville/Cookeville TN Posts: 138	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow I have had the same yellow top for 5 years now. I have a stereo that draws a max of 160 amps and a 12 volt air compressor for my suspension that draws 70 amps continuous when it is running. It has never given me any trouble. __________________ 03 ext cab stepside silverado bagged on 20's with some other cool stuff (daily driver) 1970 c10 short step just gettin started on it (project)

02-27-2007, 02:01 AM	#17
JRracing Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Indpls, IN Posts: 50	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow I have the red one in my camaro and it is a good looking and performing battery. __________________ 59 apache sbss. 68 sbss. 57 belair"old man car".

02-27-2007, 03:34 AM	#18
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...tery_setup.htm Some very good advice on battery tech here.... BOTTOM LINE: Don't use a Deep Cycle batt for Hi AMP draw like winches. Red tops are great for trucks, I'm running 2 of them.

02-27-2007, 09:23 AM	#19
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow Can't say for everyone's area, but my local COSTCO carries Optima batteries and at a pretty good savings too, from what I can remember.

02-27-2007, 11:48 AM	#20
jpkerley Active Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: TENNESSEE Posts: 119	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow ok this may be a dumb question but I heard you cant charge these with a regular battery charger, any truth to this??

02-27-2007, 11:54 AM	#21
70396CST10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Westminster, SC Posts: 50	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow I used a standard 100 amp charger on mine with no problems but then again I never asked if I could or not.. Good Luck.. James..

02-27-2007, 05:59 PM	#22
joe k Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: tonawanda ny Posts: 4	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow I was'nt able to recharge my Red top with my old charger,it would sound funny and it was heating up. Had to buy a new one that was compatable with a glass mat battery.

02-27-2007, 11:48 PM	#24
JameslovesJammie God Bless Mr. T Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Minot, ND Posts: 348	Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow Optima is a gell cell battery. When testing/charging them, a setting has to be changed on the machin to gell cell. That is how our Sabre and PowerLogic testers are. __________________ Like a midget at a urinal...sometimes you must stay on your toes.

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