Battery recommendation - Optima Interstate vs. Diehard Platinum

[ipetrov]

Probably the ultimate 'blonde or brunette?' question when it comes to battery choice, but I am nevertheless wondering if there is any good reason (e.g. longevity, weight, etc.) to go with one rather than the other. They seem similarly priced, and correct me if I'm wrong but they come from essentially the same manufacturor.

Also, which type of Optima is 'optimal' for an '05 srt application - redtop 34/redtop 34-78/yellowtop d34/yellowtop d34-78?

Any input will be much appreciated!

 

[01sapphirebob]

Everyone seems to recommed the die hard which is what i will be putting in this spring.

 

[ipetrov]

Yes, in my humble preliminary research there has been no shortage of Diehard recommendations . I would even go as far as saying I've never read a single negative opinion on that bad boy.

 

[CaptainDavid]

When the time comes I'll be going Diehard...also like the movies..

 

[Steve M]

I'm sure my reply was one of them, but I'll say it again: DieHard Platinum 34/78. It is a very good battery...I've had one in my wife's daily driver for the past 5 years, and it's never missed a beat. The specs on it are good, and they seem to be made well.

 

[Kevan]

2005 Ram SRT-10: DieHard Platinum (Group 65)
2006 Viper SRT-10: DieHard Platinum (Group 34)
2008 Viper SRT-10 Aero Coupe: DieHard Platinum (Group 34)
2011 Generac 20Kw generator: DieHard (Group 26)

The Grand Cherokee came with a new battery (NAPA), but when it dies....DieHard Platinum.

Just to give Optima some love, I do have a pair of the blue tops in the motorhome.

 

[ipetrov]

Attention Optima fans: Bruce Willis in the blue corner is kicking the everloving **** out of your protege! I'm starting to feel bad for the underdog...

To give it some additional love, I'll add that a couple of respected Viper techs in my area mentioned the Optima first...

 

[Steve737]

Diehard has worked great for me here in the Houston heat. Steve

 

[Stealth]

Optima in my '08 in SoCal. However, it is the 3rd one! I cannot recall what color (red or yellow top). One had a broken post, one died, and the last is doing well. I also purchased a battery tender and extension which I will attach once I figure out how to access the battery and atttach the cords.

 

[Steve M]

Optima in my '08 in SoCal. However, it is the 3rd one! I cannot recall what color (red or yellow top). One had a broken post, one died, and the last is doing well. I also purchased a battery tender and extension which I will attach once I figure out how to access the battery and atttach the cords.

Pop the hatch/trunk, pull up the floor carpet, unscrew the battery cover panel, and you'll have access to the battery. If I recall correctly, it's a 10mm socket to remove the small terminal nut on one cable, and a 12mm socket for the other. You can attach the ring terminal pigtail that came with your battery tender directly to those. Reassemble in reverse order.

You can access that pigtail by reaching through the opening in the rear diffuser. When not in use (as in you are out driving the car), the pigtail can be tucked nicely out of the way so it isn't flopping around out of the back of the car.

 

[ViperGeorge]

Never had any good luck with the Optima. Premature failure, like the whole battery was fine one minute and dead the next. Some kind of internal fault. Replaced under warranty but that's the only battery I've ever had have replaced under warranty. I have a DieHard Platinum in my ACR but boy is that sucker heavy, 57 pounds I think. I also had to buy a new battery tender plus, the old ones I had would not charge the AGM battery. I've been thinking of a Braille light weight battery but think I'll stay away from Lithium Ion ones, Dreamliner convinced me to.

 

[Brian E]

Pop the hatch/trunk, pull up the floor carpet, unscrew the battery cover panel, and you'll have access to the battery. If I recall correctly, it's a 10mm socket to remove the small terminal nut on one cable, and a 12mm socket for the other. You can attach the ring terminal pigtail that came with your battery tender directly to those. Reassemble in reverse order.

You can access that pigtail by reaching through the opening in the rear diffuser. When not in use (as in you are out driving the car), the pigtail can be tucked nicely out of the way so it isn't flopping around out of the back of the car.

I just moved the pigtail for my BT JR from under the hood, to the battery as described above. Wish I had done this a long time ago. Much better than having to open and close the hood to connect/disconnect the BT. The BT pigtail I used even allowed me to keep using the OEM plastic cover that protects the positive battery terminal. The only other thing I did was to add a small strip of 3M Clear Bra to the diffuser so the pigtail doesn't scratch it while the BT is in use. Oh ya, definately would go with a Diehard Platinum.

 

[ipetrov]

Didn't expect this discussion to be so one-sided. Makes my choice a no-brainer. Thanks guys!

 

[Allan]

I am the only OPTIMA guy in the Viper community.

 

[chorps]

I've been thinking of a Braille light weight battery but think I'll stay away from Lithium Ion ones, Dreamliner convinced me to.

No one is running Lithium Ion batteries for the street?

 

[Allan]

I had considered the Braille racing battery for the weight deal, but I am concerned about the reliability, and if it will crank the V10 on a cooler morning at the hotel parking lot. I could bring a jump box, but I am already loaded to the gills for a track day.
For a trailered car, the Braille woud be the way to go.

 

[AZTVR]

I am nevertheless wondering if there is any good reason (e.g. longevity, weight, etc.) to go with one rather than the other. They seem similarly priced, and correct me if I'm wrong but they come from essentially the same manufacturor.

I have bought several Optimas for various vehicles and have never had an issue. I have also researched the Diehard Platinum and lots of internet info says that it is made by the same company as the Odyssey battery. There are very few complaints about the Diehard Platinum. Lots of people have had issues with the Optima. One thing to know about the AGM battery is that it "likes" to be charged differently than a traditional liquid filled battery and if it is discharged below a certain voltage, it definitely needs a charger that is meant for use with AGM batteries. ( Ctek highly recommended)

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

To give it some additional love, I'll add that a couple of respected Viper techs in my area mentioned the Optima first...

If a Viper tech recommended an Optima battery to me, I'd find a new Viper tech. All 3 or 4 I had were garbage. All replaced under warranty. I'd trust a 9V battery out of smoke detector more than an Optima.

 

[Steve M]

I have bought several Optimas for various vehicles and have never had an issue. I have also researched the Diehard Platinum and lots of internet info says that it is made by the same company as the Odyssey battery. There are very few complaints about the Diehard Platinum. Lots of people have had issues with the Optima. One thing to know about the AGM battery is that it "likes" to be charged differently than a traditional liquid filled battery and if it is discharged below a certain voltage, it definitely needs a charger that is meant for use with AGM batteries. ( Ctek highly recommended)

There are very few companies that actually make batteries (Johnson Controls, Enersys, Deka)...figuring out who actually made a certain brand isn't always easy, but the info is definitely out there.

Optima used to be a good battery, but there are just too many stories floating around out there that seem to indicate something happened a few years back that changed that.

 

[ipetrov]

Do any of you good folks know what battery the Gen V comes equipped with? I wonder if they upgraded the Gen IV unit given the quantum leap in technology in the new car.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Duralast Platinum is by far the best from Auto Zone.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Optima used to be a good battery, but there are just too many stories floating around out there that seem to indicate something happened a few years back that changed that.

From what I read on here in the past, they sold out years ago. That's when the quality went from "A" to "F"

 

[swexlin]

Diehard Platinum here as well. No trickle charger, just keep car in "sleep" mode when it sits (in a cold garage) 3-4 weeks at a time. Works great.

 

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Pop the hatch/trunk, pull up the floor carpet, unscrew the battery cover panel, and you'll have access to the battery. If I recall correctly, it's a 10mm socket to remove the small terminal nut on one cable, and a 12mm socket for the other. You can attach the ring terminal pigtail that came with your battery tender directly to those. Reassemble in reverse order.

You can access that pigtail by reaching through the opening in the rear diffuser. When not in use (as in you are out driving the car), the pigtail can be tucked nicely out of the way so it isn't flopping around out of the back of the car.

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$175: Panel Kit

And if/when you start cursing the OEM cover, know you have other options. The DSE cover is quick release Phillips instead of Torx and all aluminum and stainless construction plus requires no modification to the car. Getting to the battery is much easier and quicker.

Battery Tender connector is optional which mounts connector as described and prevents flopping around / makes one hand connection possible.

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$245: Panel + Connector Kit

 

[ViperGeorge]

No one is running Lithium Ion batteries for the street?

Braille makes several types of batteries including Lithium Ion. They are very light weight but the technology still makes me nervous.

 

[ViperGeorge]

I had considered the Braille racing battery for the weight deal, but I am concerned about the reliability, and if it will crank the V10 on a cooler morning at the hotel parking lot. I could bring a jump box, but I am already loaded to the gills for a track day.
For a trailered car, the Braille woud be the way to go.

Depends on which type of Braille battery you chose. Some have fairly signficant cranking capacity, others are very light weight and rather small. The small ones might not have the cranking amps you need on a cold day.

 

[SSGNRDZ_28]

The regular Braille batteries are just rebadged Deka I believe, the lithium technology line uses A123 cells which are fairly robust. The lithium technology do have specific charging requirements to watch for and over or under voltage scenarios can cause issues. I can't comment on the reliability of these lithium batteries in a Viper but they are used in IndyCar and other forms of racing. Too low voltage and the battery won't charge and too high and damage / fire could occur. Not sure what voltage the OEM alternator puts out or what voltage the battery actually sees.

 

[Gus Strakes]

. One thing to know about the AGM battery is that it "likes" to be charged differently than a traditional liquid filled battery and if it is discharged below a certain voltage, it definitely needs a charger that is meant for use with AGM batteries. ( Ctek highly recommended)

---I just bought two Diehard AGM batteries, and can anyone tell me what kind of trickle charger is required. I have Schumacher chargers that cycle at 2AMP,10AMp, and 50APM. Is the deep cycle option on the trickle charger for the AGM? Thanks in advance.

 

[MDSRT10]

Pretty sure deep cycle is for marine batteries.

I went to the sears web site and put in the info for my 08. Didn't see any platinum only the gold, and the gold agm. I'm I missing something?

 

[Mopar Steve]

---I just bought two Diehard AGM batteries, and can anyone tell me what kind of trickle charger is required. I have Schumacher chargers that cycle at 2AMP,10AMp, and 50APM. Is the deep cycle option on the trickle charger for the AGM? Thanks in advance.

Gus, from what I was told, the deep cycle batteries like to be run down then recharged.