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Reviews For: Optima Yellow Top

Category: Batteries & Chargers for Amateur Radio

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Review Summary For : Optima Yellow Top
Reviews: 18MSRP: varies
Description:
Heavy-Duty, Deep-Cycle Sealed Batteries
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_products/yellowtop/index.php
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00183.5
KB3MRU Rating: 2008-03-16
Under the hood for 9 years! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had an Optima yellow D34/78 (the version with both top posts and GM type sider terminals)in my car since 1999. I just replaced it today with another Optima D34/78 because I noticed that run-time on my 800 watt audio system was down to <30 minutes with the engine off. This old Optima slowly failed; never left me stranded.

I'm thrilled that I got 9 years out the battery; especially considering that it is in a very hot engine bay (upgraded turbo in a sports car) AND I occasionally listen to my music when the engine is off.

I try to avoid running the battery completely flat, but must confess, I did do that accidently a few times over the years and the Optima seems to have a good tolerance for that.

The extra pair of side terminals on the D34/78 are terrific for hooking up ham radios and amps. This feature allows the native automotive connections to remain on the top terminals.

The Optima is sealed so there is absolutely no corrosion from leaking acid around the battery or on the terminals. Also allows unusual mounting positions i.e. sideways.

The Yellow top I bought today came with a thick plactic cover to protect the top terminals, in case one would drop a wrench across them or perhaps if the hood comes down on it during a collision.

I've used other deep-cycle batteries that use the same spiral-wound plates / absorbed glass mat technology as the Optima. In one of my other cars I had an Exide Orbital but it only lasted 3.5 years before it died suddenly (wouldn't take a charge.)

I forget what I paid for the first Optima in '99 but the one today was $189 - $10 credit for the old battery. I got it at a local AutoZone store. I saw some deals on the net for less ($169) but you have to consider shipping a 42 pound battery. Plus you'd be stuck with the dead one and would have to recycle it locally.

Also, if your application is not automotive, but as an indoor emergency backup battery --get the Optima "Blue" version. They are much the same as the yellow types (both deep cycle) but have threaded stud terminals and wingnuts for easy hookups.

Cons: If you ever need to use a battery charger; you must use one that has an "AGM" mode for these absorbed glass mat batteries, as the charging voltages and float parameters are different from either "wet" traditional type or gel cells.

W6VY Rating: 2007-10-23
Internal Failure Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased a Yellow top for my Honda CR-V and also had a complete (and sudden) failure after 7 months. It was never abused - just failed. At least the Pep Boys warranty replaced the battery with a standard battery and refunded the difference. I also had one Blue top battery used for the amp fail within one year (would not take a complete charge). It was also replace under warranty and has been fine for two years.
AD5TD Rating: 2007-10-22
Rock Solid! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Ran a "Yellow Top" in my Exploder for 3 years using full HF and VHF/UHF gear, Driving and Fog lamps that pulled 40 amps when everything was on, a big sound system that pulled about 35 amps at full volume and I NEVER had a problem. When I got rid of the Exploder, I put the battery in an electric pallet jack and it's still running 2 years later! There is no harder use than this.
K6TTE Rating: 2007-10-22
22 Months and DEAD Time Owned: more than 12 months.
A very expensive battery that was never abused, never run down... It suffered an internal failure after only 22 months and failed without warning. I will never purchase another Optima battery.
KF6IIU Rating: 2007-10-22
Overrated and overpriced Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought a Yellow Top D51R for my Honda CR-V in Aug 2005. After only two years, it is marginal. The battery has actually not been used too hard - I have maybe put in 1/2 hour of HF transmitting time without the engine running in these 2 years, and it has only been run down all the way past 11 to 11.5V three times, counting the two times it has failed to start the car in the past few weeks.

This is a fairly small battery, but the 2 years life does not warrant the preposterously high price and one year warranty.
AF6CA Rating: 2007-10-16
Still Working Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought a D51 Yellow top 2 years ago. Still works like it's new. The D51 is the smallest and lightest of the yellow tops.

Easy to move around with the built in handle. No worry of spilling. Charge on the living room carpet without issue.

Easily runs 100W HF radio for over 24 hours. A small solar panel will extend the operating time.
WA7NCL Rating: 2007-06-29
Got one too! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Seems to work well with automotive type charger. I use it to run my HF radios. I bought one that fits my Honda CRV. If my CRV battery fails, I can just put this one in to replace it as a spare. It somewhat justifies the high price.

I highly recommend the sealed AGM type batteries for emergency power use. I used to use wet cell marine batteries, but always worried about battery acid spills in the house. Also wet cells give off hydrogen gas and possibly battery acid fumes when charging.

Sealed type are much better.
WN9E Rating: 2007-06-29
Awesome Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've got two of the D31s--a D31T for my shack which I keep charged with a Battery Tender Plus charger, and a D31A for my truck for two mobile rigs. At over $200 they are a bit on the pricey side, but the piece of mind is worth it. I just ran the D31T for field day and it did a great job for me. I'll also never worry again about running my truck battery down. Even if I do run it all the way down, it won't hurt the battery.