Optima Red Tops?
11-07-2002, 11:01 PM
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Optima Red Tops?
I jammed a slightly off sized optima red top into my Impala, but I knew it could be done/had been done before...<br><br>Is it possible to swap my crappy old style prostart batteries out for a pair of optima red top 34/78s?<br><br>they look like they should fit ???<br><br>Link to battery in question
11-08-2002, 10:22 AM
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Re:Optima Red Tops?
well as far as I know there are only two sizes of optimas so im not going to worry about it too much... one is WAY too small, one is big but slightly smaller than the batts in the truck... ill just figure out a way to make it work =P<br><br>Thanks for your help
11-10-2002, 09:21 AM
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Re:Optima Red Tops?
I don't want to start a battery war, and I know that a lot of you folks are running redtops successfully. However, when I went to get redtops at my battery dealer, he advised against them. He said that with the heaters and so on in cold climate I would get more "whack" with interstates. He maintains a fleet of ambulances with PS and International (6cyl) engines. <br>He recommeneded the Interstates that he installs in these applications. They are slightly larger physically than the OEM batteries. They are also about half as much money as the redtops.<br><br>So far, the results have been very good.<br>george
11-10-2002, 02:48 PM
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Re:Optima Red Tops?
For the last few months I have been running only one red top and had not problems at all. That includes several 30 degree nights cycling the heaters. The red top is a bolt in, no acid, lighter, works great. I might even get the mate to it :
<br><br>I have probably 40,000 or better on the one battery, it is flawless.
<br><br>I have probably 40,000 or better on the one battery, it is flawless.
11-10-2002, 04:40 PM
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Re:Optima Red Tops?
The biggest advantage to me, (just my opinion) would be the size. They are small enough you could fit two together on the driver's side fenderwell, freeing up the passenger side for more important things like twin/triple turbo systems and special air filters.....
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11-11-2002, 01:13 AM
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Re:Optima Red Tops?
[quote author=BriarHopper link=board=7;threadid=6765;start=0#64801 date=1036968043]<br>/triple turbo systems and special air filters.....<br>[/quote]<br><br>Tom,<br>I can donate my truck for some testing ig you would like me to test a system in hot, humid climate for you! ;D 
<br><br>Andrew
<br><br>Andrew
03-17-2004, 07:54 AM
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One thing not mentioned in this thread that helped in my decision to go with dual red tops is the weight loss. Optima Red tops are about 22 pounds lighter, each. That is 44 pounds less weight you are hauling around. Less weight = faster off the line, less wear and tear on the front end, ect. Not a huge deal, but a consideration for me as I do mostly city driving and short hauls.
I'm thinking way too hard here.
I'm thinking way too hard here.
03-17-2004, 10:31 AM
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Re: Re:Optima Red Tops?
Originally posted by Haulin_in_Dixie
For the last few months I have been running only one red top and had not problems at all. That includes several 30 degree nights cycling the heaters. The red top is a bolt in, no acid, lighter, works great. I might even get the mate to it : <br><br>I have probably 40,000 or better on the one battery, it is flawless.
For the last few months I have been running only one red top and had not problems at all. That includes several 30 degree nights cycling the heaters. The red top is a bolt in, no acid, lighter, works great. I might even get the mate to it :
<br><br>I have probably 40,000 or better on the one battery, it is flawless.
03-17-2004, 05:55 PM
#13
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BB 
don't be so cruel to Haulin 
.
I just wanted to say that IMHO you shouldn't use the dual terminal batteries wherre you don't need the other terminal. (More risk of shorting something, and more expensive than necessary)
AlpineRAM
don't be so cruel to Haulin .I just wanted to say that IMHO you shouldn't use the dual terminal batteries wherre you don't need the other terminal. (More risk of shorting something, and more expensive than necessary)
AlpineRAM
03-17-2004, 06:28 PM
#14
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I stuck dual red tops in this winter when it was at its coldest (around -13* or so). It was taking the voltage gauge a while to come back up after cycling the grid heaters for 30-45 seconds when it was cold. It would stay down so long after the truck started that the check gauges lite would come on. I put the optimas in and they bounce back instantly and as soon as the truck is runing the voltage metter is where it belongs. They are getting to the point where they are no more expensive than normal batteries. I paid $99 each with a 3 year free replacment warenty.
03-17-2004, 07:06 PM
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put a regular battery and an optima battery on a shelf, both fully charged of course, let them set for a year, i'll bet the optima will still start a car and i'll bet the regular battery won't even click the starter solenoid. just my experience.