2006 Gen 3: Red Top vs Yellow Top Optima Battery

[DrugDoc55]

Hey gang. I have a 2006 coupe with the stock battery in it and I am going to do a battery replacement this year before I hit the roads. I am looking into the Optima batteries, and see through the forums some people are using red tops and some are using yellow tops. After looking at the Optima website, it seems the yellow top will hold its charge longer, however I do have a battery tender so I'm not sure what the benefit of getting a yellow top vs. a red top is knowing that I can trickle charge the red top and keep it maintained.
Next question is, the Optima website doesn't even list a yellow top that 'fits' my 2006 coupe. If anyone is using the yellow top what part number is it? The red top part number they say 'fits' is 25 (9025-160). Anyone with a yellow top willing to divulge this info? Also, if you have either of these and have any further info besides what is already out on the forums by searching the threads I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

 

[JohnnyViper]

i have owned a yellow top and they are nice but not worth the extra $ IMO stick with a normal battery, it will work just fine

 

[JohnnyViper]

to go into a little more detail, if you had a power hungry stereo system with a bunch of subs, running a winch on a truck without it running, needed to run your light without you car on then the optima battery would be a better fit than some other batteries, if your viper is not sucking any additional power than stock just buy a normal battery

 

[KNG SNKE]

I would check with Tators first. I know some of the Vipers don't like the optima batteries for what ever reason.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Sears Die-Hard Platinum...Group 34 for our 03, 08, and 10. Great warranty and great specs...made by Enersys!!!

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Optima is complete garbage. You'd have better luck duct taping a lot of 9V batteries out of your smoke alarms together. Go with Sears or Interstate.

 

[Flexx91]

Optima is complete garbage. You'd have better luck duct taping a lot of 9V batteries out of your smoke alarms together. Go with Sears or Interstate.

Maybe your own personal opinion/experience but the yellow tops in my Viper and truck are both five years old and I haven't had a single problem.....

The difference in the red vs. yellow top is the yellow's are the deep cycle version which is better for handling accessory loads (stereo, lights, etc.) whereas the red top is designed for starting only. Haven't heard any issues about having problems in certain Vipers.

 

[TowDawg]

I've got the yellow in mine. The only reason I really bought on ein the first place was because the group buy coupons were for sale on here for stupid-cheap right before they were to expire.

 

[KNG SNKE]

Haven't heard any issues about having problems in certain Vipers.

That would be because you haven't looked.

 

[wes]

I just put a Die hard platinum battery from sears in my car 2 weeks ago. Compared to the stock battery it cranks TONS better. Think I like it better than the optima and it has like a 9 year warranty.

 

[Slithr]

Sears Die-Hard Platinum...Group 34 for our 03, 08, and 10. Great warranty and great specs...made by Enersys!!!

Mr. Indy, I thought in the past you've recommended the new group 78 Die Hard Platinum? What is the difference between group 34 & 78 I have an 03'

 

[Flexx91]

That would be because you haven't looked.

Was I supposed to? And because I didn't, who's going to make me???

 

[KNG SNKE]

Was I supposed to? And because I didn't, who's going to make me???

Really? Are you 5 years old? You are asking about people using optima batteries so obviously you made some attempt to look but didn't search for ****, so yes, you were suppose to.

Second just because you have not "heard" of something does not mean it doesn't exist. If you took the 2 seconds to do a quick search you would have found the information you were looking and found out which batteries have issues with vipers but instead you chose to post your ignorant retort. I stated that you did not hear about it because you didn't look. If you know everything then why post your question?

Third no one is going to make you. Your a big boy now and hopefully using the search function is not too complicated for you.

(Just did a quick glance search for the word optima, results from scanning are that Vipers are known for draining them and having to replace them once per year. Man that took me a long time to find . And it was not just one person who stated these issues it was many)

 

[LaViper]

I just put a Die hard platinum battery from sears in my car 2 weeks ago. Compared to the stock battery it cranks TONS better. Think I like it better than the optima and it has like a 9 year warranty.

Recently installed a Sears Platinum also. Cranking RPM is higher,(800 cca's).Not really a fan of products from Sears,but gotta say, it's a great battery. And when the car isn't used in 3 to 4 weeks, cranks perfect.

 

[Flexx91]

Really? Are you 5 years old? You are asking about people using optima batteries so obviously you made some attempt to look but didn't search for ****, so yes, you were suppose to.

********...... try reading my initial post again to re-test your reading comprehension skills. I was not the one who asked about using Optimas. I already own two and simply gave my personal take/experience with them. So if you're offended by the "flavor" of my response (which from time folks on here have learned to tolerate in a humorous type of way), too bad because you deserve it. So before you go on questioning my "capabilites" and what not, I can guarantee (and those who know me can vouch as well), that's a battle you will definitely lose.......

 

[KNG SNKE]

Really? Are you 5 years old? You are asking about people using optima batteries so obviously you made some attempt to look but didn't search for ****, so yes, you were suppose to.

********...... try reading my initial post again to re-test your reading comprehension skills. I was not the one who asked about using Optimas. I already own two and simply gave my personal take/experience with them. So if you're offended by the "flavor" of my response (which from time folks on here have learned to tolerate in a humorous type of way), too bad because you deserve it. So before you go on questioning my "capabilites" and what not, I can guarantee (and those who know me can vouch as well), that's a battle you would definitey lose.......

Gotcha for some reason your name was by the first post when I pulled it up, that's what I get for scrolling so fast.

I personally don't give a **** for your humor, your "capabilities, or even "those who know you". I am not sure about your so called battle or what I will be losing but it does provide me a good chuckle. I don't get offended by peoples "flavor" however internet thugs aggravate me. (And that comment was directed towards your battle).


Back on topic

DrugDoc, search the word optima and you will see the ratio of negative to positive reviews weighs heavily on the negative side of the house.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Slithr noted:

"Originally Posted by Steve-Indy:
Sears Die-Hard Platinum...Group 34 for our 03, 08, and 10. Great warranty and great specs...made by Enersys!!!"

Then Slithr said/asked:

"Mr. Indy, I thought in the past you've recommended the new group 78 Die Hard Platinum? What is the difference between group 34 & 78 I have an 03' "
------------------
Sorry to be confusing, Slithr...as my past posts have indicated...OEM Mopar battery for Gen I's and II's was Group 78. However when attempting to replace same in those Vipers, I found that my choice of replacement batteries (Die-Hard Gold) would not always fit in the Group 78 size, so I have Die-Hard Gold Group 75 (side terminal only...made by Johnson controls) batteries in all of our GenI's and II's...and have been very happy. These are flooded, lead-acid batteries. While none of these have leaked for us (like the Mopar batteries have) I must admit that our use is street, not track. For a track car, I would go a different route...a lighter battery such as Odyssey or Braille...depending on planned weight dstribution.

Group 34 is top terminal only...bigger, with a lot of power, reserve, and warranty...and go into our Gen III and IV's as stated. These are AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries whose square geometry have more surface area than the round well known "silo-six-pack" ("spiral" of stacked, round plates) type battery for the same "footprint"...and, they do not leak.

Last time that I checked, the Die-Hard Platinum did not come in a Group 75 side terminal battery.

I hope this helps...as it's MY story and I'm sticking to it!!

 

[wes]

Mr. Indy, I thought in the past you've recommended the new group 78 Die Hard Platinum? What is the difference between group 34 & 78 I have an 03'

I just got the 34 Slithr. You can stop by sometime and see how much better it cranks up. I'm sure your like 2 minutes away.

 

[Flexx91]

I personally don't give a **** for your humor, your "capabilities, or even "those who know you". I am not sure about your so called battle or what I will be losing but it does provide me a good chuckle. I don't get offended by peoples "flavor" however internet thugs aggravate me. (And that comment was directed towards your battle).

Internet **** huh? You can twist the "battle" part any way you see fit. Good chuckle huh? Little "biotches" like to chuckle and I could give a f%$k less what you don't give a ***** for. And of couse, you do get offended by people's "flavor" (that's what biotches do).

 

[KNG SNKE]

I personally don't give a **** for your humor, your "capabilities, or even "those who know you". I am not sure about your so called battle or what I will be losing but it does provide me a good chuckle. I don't get offended by peoples "flavor" however internet thugs aggravate me. (And that comment was directed towards your battle).

Internet **** huh? You can twist the "battle" part any way you see fit. Good chuckle huh? Little "biotches" like to chuckle and I could give a f%$k less what you don't give a ***** for. And of couse, you do get offended by people's "flavor" (that's what biotches do).

My point exactly! Takes a big man to full on run his mouth in a forum. Aww pobrecito, it will be ok. You will have to try harder then that Mr. Flex to offend me or "battle" me, however you would like to put it.

Sorry Drugdoc, I will hop out of your thread since I am just feeding the monkey right now. Flex if you have issues by all means shoot me a pm to finish your ranting lol

 

[Flexx91]

Sorry Drugdoc, I will hop out of your thread since I am just feeding the monkey right now. Flex if you have issues by all means shoot me a pm to finish your ranting lol

Running your mouth without realizing what you were saying and to whom is how this got started. If someone feels inclined to start something, I am definitely going to finish it (take that anyway you want to). So I'm going to end this crap because it is the "internet" has allowed it to continue this far..... If I happen to see you at VOI, I will buy you a beer. Take care man..... we have no issues.

 

[swexlin]

Sears Die-Hard Platinum...Group 34 for our 03, 08, and 10. Great warranty and great specs...made by Enersys!!!

What Steve said. On his advice, I went to Sears last month and replaced the tired Autozone special in my 03. A good investment for you car.

 

[Nine Ball]

LOL @ guys arguing about batteries.

 

[2easy]

While we are on the topic of batteries...I think...lol, my 03 turns over and starts without issue, but when I put my charger on it, it reads at 30%??? (I connect it after I run the car for a few, just to top it back up is how I stumbled upon it.) I have fully charged it, and returned a few hrs later to test it and it reads at 30% again. Could it be my charger and not the battery? Thinking its the battery but would like your thoughts.

 

[rw99]

While we are on the topic of batteries...I think...lol, my 03 turns over and starts without issue, but when I put my charger on it, it reads at 30%??? (I connect it after I run the car for a few, just to top it back up is how I stumbled upon it.) I have fully charged it, and returned a few hrs later to test it and it reads at 30% again. Could it be my charger and not the battery? Thinking its the battery but would like your thoughts.

This can occur if you have a charger that has multiple settings. For example, full charging of an (AGM) Optima Yellow I own only occurs if I tell the charger it's an AGM battery... otherwise, it will charge to something like 70% and stop. Just an idea...

 

[2easy]

This can occur if you have a charger that has multiple settings. For example, full charging of an (AGM) Optima Yellow I own only occurs if I tell the charger it's an AGM battery... otherwise, it will charge to something like 70% and stop. Just an idea...

Thank you. I will take a closer look at the charger itself to see if it offers the option of entering various types of batteries.