Have had an optima battery about a year now. However, I have also had the car off the road for about that long. Long story short, got a new redtop about 3 months ago under warantee, and drove my car from my old house to the new house. Took the car out on the road like once a week for a few weeks just to keep it alive. Anyway, I let the car sit about 5 weeks or so and then took it out on the road again, but I had to jump start it.

The battery dies down to where it can crank the engine over extremely slowly like twice, but no more. I am able to jump the car without having the other car running. I thought this battery was supposed to be able to last 1 year without starting the car, however it is lasting 90% less. Is this just bad luck or is the optima redtop just highly overrated?

 

There's been some other threads with the same complaints that they lose their charge over time. I use the automatic trickle chargers on everything that doesn't get driven daily, and they're always ready to go. I got 9 years out of my original battery in the TA and my bike battery had 9 and DD had 7 on them when I replaced them; however they were still good. I am a real believer in those little chargers which I bought at batteries plus for $20 each or so about 10 years back. I didn't ever get a red top because I started hearing some negative things about them, but they probably do a lot better if the charge is kept up.

 

well i'm sure every battery would do a lot better if the charge was kept up...however, the point of a redtop from what I have read over the years (even what's stated on their website) is that it holds a charge over time, way longer than other batteries. If you put a trickle charge on it, or drive it just about every day, you don't need a redtop as any standard battery would do you just fine.

Where does one get a trickle-charger these days?

 

Advance, Wal-Mart, and Autozone sell trickle chargers for under twenty bucks.

 

Do a search and see how many posts you see about Interstate batteries or AC Delco batteries not holding a charge.

One of the big selling points of the Optima, in addition to the quality, was that it is a gel cell and can be mounted in any position and won't evap it's water.

I use trickle chargers cause they make my batteries last forever, not cause the charge runs down to the point where they won't start the vehicle. But, while a charger would certainly help you out, you should also doublecheck that you don't have a current drain other than the very small amount that keeps it alive.

 

From what I hear, RedTop's are not that great.
Mine lasted a year, and died.

Took it back, and they didn't have any in stock...Go figure..
Got an energizer for half the price and spent the rest on car care
supplies!

Get out while you can!

 

put a red top on my el camino last year.. it is doing well. i start the car maybe once a month never drive it the battery is always strong. that engine sometimes takes a while to start but the battery always cranks it over.

not saying its a miracle battery but it does the job for me.

 

I'll probably get a trickle charger for this thing since it seems like a good idea and also inexpensive. I figure I should exchange the battery for a new one and just start from scratch with the charger and fresh battery?