Dual Optimas

[Jeremy Parkhouse]

I've been running dual Optima Yellow tops in my Disco II for about three years. I'm running a battery management system and they have not been used hard. I was quite surprised when I now find they both appear to be duff. Seem to have gone duff very quickly, no real sign of decay.

Any recommendations for new batteries. I'm in Saudi Arabia and can't get replacement Optimas without importing them. I've heard Odyesseys are good although can't get them either without importing. Am going to run a pair of 'normal' batteries until I can import a decenmt replacement.

Regards

Jeremy Parkhouse
DII, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

 

[maxyedor]

Look into the Exide Orbitals. I had a standard (non deepcycle) one for a few years now and even whith heavy winching an accessory use it has held up great. I also just picked up a second one, deep-cycle marine this time to serve as an accessory only battery.

 

[antichrist]

Exide. You might have to get them in UAE however, Exide doesn't list a distributor in Saudi Arabia.
Exide Al Dobowi Ltd
P O Box 61320
Jebel Ali Free Zone
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 8838938
Fax :+971 4 8836454
Contact: Mr. Ravinder S. Sokhi
Email: exide@exideme.com or sokhir@exideme.com

 

[kennith]

Yeah, you ought to be able to buy Exide. They are just about everywhere.

Don't go through all that trouble trying to get Optimas again. Regular batteries last longer.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[sean]

i had trouble finding something to replace my optimas.
the exides are too big to fit a d2. it can be done but i would need to cut up my battery tray and reweld it.
i did notice a few that were a little taller, my terminals already touch the hood liner and without pounding out my inner fender a taller battery won't fit..

if somebody finds something the same size please let us know. i'm on my 3rd set of optimas. the last 2 started to swell and looked really dangerous.

 

[dave]

I have had good luck with Optima's in the past, but I switched over to using Odyssey batts a few years back after I went through a few Optima's in a hurry and have been very happy. Only problem with them is the price, but perhaps for you application one Odyssey would work better then two Optimas, so perhaps its a wash. They may not work well for your setup...but they are worth checking out if you have not already....

edit: Just noticed that in your post that you cant get Odyssey batts in your location...that will teach me to drink and post...

 

[kennith]

i had trouble finding something to replace my optimas.
the exides are too big to fit a d2. it can be done but i would need to cut up my battery tray and reweld it.
i did notice a few that were a little taller, my terminals already touch the hood liner and without pounding out my inner fender a taller battery won't fit..

if somebody finds something the same size please let us know. i'm on my 3rd set of optimas. the last 2 started to swell and looked really dangerous.

There isn't any way that I can see to modify the common dual DII tray to fit 2 orbitals. I determined that the area under the tray would need to be cut to keep the same orientation. Still, my one orbital is better than my 2 Optimas ever were. I have another one, but it just won't fit without doing something I don't want to do.

If you go back to the factory tray, EE sells those nifty Odyssey batteries that drop right in, and like my orbital, are supposed to outclass two Optimas. Depending on your needs, a single very good battery may be better than two substandard batteries. Now, if you flat out want a backup, things are different. I'm planning on moving mine to the rear when I get around to it, so I can fit two Orbitals.

Still, those Odyssey batteries are really starting to get better. I've still never used one, but I'll say that one day I'm going to try one for kicks. They look like they are really built well, and I like the one with the metal case.

I don't really care to much. I like the capacity for running the electrics, but I only get these voodoo batteries because I hate the leaks you get with regular batteries.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[Jeremy Parkhouse]

Thanks to everybody for the input, great answers..as usual! This is a great forum.I might run with normal batteries for a while while I consider my options.

Reference fitting of batteries to D2 tray. I removed the standard battery tray and bottle jack and fitted a double tray made by.....I think it was Mike Aedo. Really well made and a great guy to deal with.

Note to Dave. I'm in UK on holiday at the moment so I was also drinking at the time of my post..hence the spelling mistake (decent)!!

Cheers all

Jeremy Parkhouse

 

[antichrist]

EE sells those nifty Odyssey batteries that drop right in

Somehow I don't think he's going to want to have a battery shipped from EE to Saudi Arabia. Or from anywhere in the states for that matter.

 

[Jeremy Parkhouse]

To Antichrist,

Not a bad idea once I get back to Saudi. Most of the kit on my car has been purchased from EE. I've got 6 x Hella spot lights, Safety Devices roof rack, TJM winch bumper with Warn winch. The two Yellow tops didn't come from EE but did come from the States.

Cheers

Jeremy

 

[kennith]

Somehow I don't think he's going to want to have a battery shipped from EE to Saudi Arabia. Or from anywhere in the states for that matter.

That post was directed at Sean. Shipping batteries is expensive enough as it is.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[gmookher]

sears marine platinum = odessey btw, I just got one in my rig for $239 same with the auto platinums; made by enersys who also makes the same batt for odessey. Odessey just charges more money for the same battery see my post here http://muddyoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6080&highlight=odessey

 

[C Ross]

sears marine platinum = odessey btw, I just got one in my rig for $239 same with the auto platinums; made by enersys who also makes the same batt for odessey. Odessey just charges more money for the same battery see my post here http://muddyoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6080&highlight=odessey

X2

I just bought one on of the Platinums on Saturday. It was about $40 less than the comparable Odyssey with the convenience of warranty through Sears.

Ross

 

[agbuckle98]

interesting thread, as are all the others about omtima batteries. I've been running them for years without problems, but as they age, i'm thinking of replacing with something else. I have a 3 year old optima red top in my 1990 RRC that im having second thoughts about as my september road trip gets nearer.

 

[kennith]

interesting thread, as are all the others about omtima batteries. I've been running them for years without problems, but as they age, i'm thinking of replacing with something else. I have a 3 year old optima red top in my 1990 RRC that im having second thoughts about as my september road trip gets nearer.

When you have a 200 dollar battery that lasts 1/4 as long as some of the 40 dollar batteries out there, there is a problem. Someone is simply selling a brand image, not a good product.

I defended those things as long as I could. I got 3 years out of mine, with the best wiring imaginable, always kept clean and maintained. Everything else in the truck was fine, and I never asked very much of them. The last year was on borrowed time, as they gave me constant trouble. I ignored all the cries of frustration from others, and told myself they must be isolated cases.

They aren't worth depending on. I'd rather have a normal battery than an Optima now.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[gmookher]

take your rovers battery to sears, I mean take it outta the rigg and drive it there in your honda

they will GLADLY swap it out and wont ask why you have a 12k winch and 12 lights hooked up to it, and its an odessey so it blows away crap-timas,...