Yeppers. My Optima Blue Top (OBT) is a goner.

Death to the blue top, death to the blue top…

http://www.durangoclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=24761

Well… three years to the damn month my Blue Top literally up and died today. I installed it 5/2006 and all in all, I'd say it has had a harder life than the stockers which also lasted 3 years each. While I think three years is short, here's my OBTs history in my D.

Today at lunch I bought a Schumacher SpeedCharge automatic microprocessor controlled battery charger, engine starter and battery/alternator tester. Trying to charge the old OBT, every three hours or so the charger would kick out and do nothing from there. The battery was refusing a charge. One try, nada. Two tries, nada. This evening with it on the charger again, stranded in my office parking lot, wires coming out from under the hood, plugged in and charging for the third time, it kicks off and… nada.

Long live the Blue Top, Long live the Blue Top!

Another trip to the Auto parts store, and another $189.99 later, a new Blue Top is in hand and dropped into the D. She fired right up, stumbled for about 3 seconds, got her rhythm purred along from there. The Optima has a 2-year, No Prorated 100% replacement warranty but I have a feeling that's 12 months shy of what history has proven I'll need. It's nice to have a brand new shiny blue thing under the hood (even if the wallet is 3 hundred short from this morning.) I should have bet the Horses on Saturday at the Derby.

IndyDurango

 

I really don't like those batterys and think they are totally over rated. The only reason for a gell cell is for rock climbing.....IMHO.... One problem is overcharge and under charge that they can't handle well and cause premature failure. They just don't make good vehical batteries....IMHO

These are what I run and they are only $90.00 with core. These have 3 year full replacement warranties as well as 5 year pro rated warranties for a total of 8 years. I've had mine for 4 years and never 1 single problem and consitering I have always replaced my battries with them for the price/power/warranty and the fact of never being let down..... You just can't beat that????


Gold-Duralast / Battery
Part Number: 27-DLG



Warranty:


8 YR
Notes:

*** 750 cold cranking Amps (930 cranking Amps) *** . -> 3 year free replacement <-. Remove heatshield if not using O.E. battery

 

The Optimas are AGM, not gell cell. You get all the advantages of the gell plus the advantages of the AGM. There are no over/under charge issues with a glass mat.

Since I tend to want something better than stock, the many features the Optima and AMGs offer in general tip the scale for me over the Duralast. My last sealed/standard battery was the Mopar Pro8. Damn that thing was heavy! I killed both my sealed/standards in 3 years so I would expect the same with the AZ version.

IndyD

 

I like optima's... Thur pretty. Before my warrantee ran up i brought it back to AZ and told em it leaked and replaced it no hassle

 

that's cool....

 

leaked what? They don't leak... ever. LOL.

IndyD

 

I sure like the look, but from what I've seen the ware out and cost factor really don't make sense.....IMHO

All of em leak with a shot gun blast.......LOL

 

I'm sure the drain to zero GREATLY reduced its lifespan.

 

Yea I agree.

As the hybrid blue top, full drains are supposed to be okay as opposed to absolutely killing a standard battery... however they certainly don't help extend its lifespan at all.

I think running on the battery only for 25 miles when the alternator failed last month was just as big of a blow since I followed it up with another drain.

I have the battery if anyone wants it to make a mold for an Optima tray or whatever. Free plus actual pack/shipping. Just let me know.

IndyD