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Optima Rebate

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HealeyRick

HealeyRick

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I had to replace my BJ7 redtop bought at Costco in 3/2004 today.
Didn't have the receipt, but they looked it up in the computer and found the purchase date. Prorated me $38 on the 72 month warranty. Plus a $25 rebate online through Costco until 9/08. Battery cost $129-63= $66. SCORE! BTW, no financial interest in Costco, Optima, or my 401k!

Rick
 
Good for you Rick. That's the way it's supposed to work. By the way, I had an interesting conversation with the guy at an AutoZone store where I bought 2 red top Optima batteries to make a start cart for a twin engine helicopter (in series for 24 volt). He asked me what I wanted two for, so I told him. He wanted to make sure I wasn't going to let them sit for long periods of time and then expect them to work after a couple of years. When I told him they would be used on a daily basis for starting a turbine engined helicopter he said that was the perfect use for them. I did some research on the Optima site and the red top batteries are designed for heavy starting loads and rapid recharging, not for occasional use. He said he had a lot of custom car people bring them in for warranty because of the way they use (or don't use) these batteries. They make several other "color" top bastteries for specific types of use. In general I think they are great batteries.
 
I have not been pleased with the Optima 6V battery. I have had two of them (one replaced under warranty) in my pre-war Buick. These batteries will not hold a charge when sitting. And most of my old cars, including my Healey, spend a lot of time sitting.

My Optima will hold a charge for about one month max. After they are a year old, two weeks is about it. They will recover with a charger, but the longer they sit the shorter the interval between dischages. They seem to lose a lot of capacity if they get discharged fully a few times.

I have checked the car with a digital ammeter, there are no
measurable current leaks in this car.

My lead acid batteries hold charge for much longer. I have one that amazes me, no need to pre-charge it, it will start my old Chevy with a dry carburetor and empty fuel line (i.e., lots of cranking)after 6 months or more of sitting.

I don't plan to buy any more Optimas, they cost at least twice as much as lead acid, look goofy, and can't start a car that sits a lot unless you charge it up the night before. This is a bad match for a collector car.
 
I bought my red top Optima in Feb 2005 and it has been working great ever since. Except for three or four months down time last winter, I make it a point to drive the Healey at least once a week.
But after sitting for 3 or 4 months my car's starter turned over just as quickly as it always does and the car started right up.
The reason I bought it was that I never wanted acid drips inside of the boot.
Ed
 
I've got a 6 volt Optima in my '31 Chrysler and it will hold a charge for months. It's about 18 months old and replaced one that was at least 4 years old and still good. I put that one in a Model T I sold and bought myself a new one. They are not tolerant to overcharging which is common with the older 3 brush generators and no regulator.

Marv J
 
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