i'm sure there's a post about this in here already, but i figured ahq could use the extra traffic/bandwidth.

so is there any place locally that stocks (not just a dealer, but has several in stock, preferably one that will fit a 95 ford contour) optima batteries? also what in the holy fuck is the difference between the red, yellow, and blue tops?

 

Adavance Auto Parts stocks optima batteries all day

Yellow is made to store power. You can drain and a yellow and charge it back up again really quick and it wont hurt the battery. Mainly used as a secondary battery/battery to use when the car is off. its stores large amounts of power for long periods of time

Red is a starter/cranking battery. It discharges power really quick but does not store a lot like a yellow top can. Used as a primary battery and applications where large amounts of power needs to be given off rapidly.

Blue is the marine battery. Not too sure exactly what it is specialized in like storage or what but its for marine applications

I would reccomend the red top for primary. In the past I had the yellow as primary...Being able to play the system with the truck off for long amounts of time was nice....But I wish I had the red top because it would have fed my system a lot better while driving and such. I hardly ever played the system with the truck off

 

I thought I would chime in and refine bumpin's definitions as they are a bit off.

Redtop is called OptimaStarter it's designed to allow a car to sit for several months or more without being started and still crank without trouble. Redtop batteries are best for garaged cars, extreme cold weather, and cars that will be left on a charger often.

Yelowtop is called Optima Deep Cycle. It's designed to allow a SHALLOW cycle without a major loss in capacity. Don't mistake this for no harm. Cycling any battery will cause it damage, but the yellow top will not lose as much capacity. It also has a larger reserve capacity(about 120min) which allows you to run electrical equipment longer without the car running.

Bluetop Marine Cell batteries are a good blend of both worlds, they offer a very long storage time with a very low cycle capacity. They are designed to start boat engines and to run boat equipment when the motor isnt running. Generally you find marine batteries in groups to offer a very long operating time. larger work vehicles sometimes use marine cells to drive the wenches for towing.

All optima batteries are gel cell and charge faster and more efficiently than lead acid cells. In audio HQ, your best bet will be yellow top. I have a 78y Redtop because I dont drive when im at college and I have a conventional lead acid battery isolated for backup.

 

i don't really care about running the system with the car off, since i do that... um... never. i just want the best battery for tooling around town whilst quadding out.

 

I think red is best if you dont cycle it. All optimas charge super fast and crank at a higher power than conventional batteries(also extends the life of the starter). You will defnitely see the difference in your start when you install it. Red runs 99$ at cosco i think its 129 at DAP

 

$99???

where in the world is a Cosco at

 

costco?

does costco sell optima batteries? cause if so, imma raid that shit.

 

Do you have a membership card? If you don't I could get you in as my guest.

 

i've got a card, i'm piggy backed on my mom's business account.

do they stock optima shyte though? it's a long drive from my house and i'd like to avoid going all the way out there for nothing.

 

I run yellow... I have never had an issue.