Optima Yellow Battery (DH7)

[tfrazier]

I dont know all the facts but I read somewhere that with modern cars you have to be very mindful of your replacement battery. In the article, it talked about how the IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor) is parameterized to a specific battery. Meaning that if you replace your battery with something other than what the OEM specifies, it could impact the way the system computes the state of charge, state of function and state of health for the battery. Don’t really know if this plays into the conversation, just passing along something I read.

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[Y2KFirehawk]

9 years ago I bought a 1973 Corvette to kinda reward myself for surviving open heart surgery. Battery was end of life, so I bought a Red Top. I kept the Vette in an unheated garage during Michigan Winters. I'd use the trickle charge when I remembered. Every time I turned the ignition, it started. Even after sitting for six or more months. Whenever my wife's Subaru failed to start because of mystery battery drain, it was easier to grab the Red Top out of the Vette from behind the driver's seat and jump the Subaru. Just sold the Corvette with that same battery. Actually used the $ from the Vette plus the $ from selling my JL to buy my Bronco about a week later.

I'm no "battery talking guy" but it seemed like a pretty good and reliable product.

Have used Optima Red's in my f-body for the last 18 years with similar conditions and success to yours.

 

[userdude]

Anybody got thoughts on a lithium battery? They seem to be pretty nice for the "modern lifestyle" (especially glamping and influencer overlanding) but are very expensive.

 

[Bronco1010]

I am no Ford fan boy but when your battery goes, buy the motorcraft replacement from a dealer. Make sure that your vin is on the receipt. Then you will get 3 years free replacement if you have an issue with it again and proration beyond that. It is so easy to swap a warranty battery at my local Ford dealer that it is a no brainer for me.

 

[Mlarv]

Anybody got thoughts on a lithium battery? They seem to be pretty nice for the "modern lifestyle" (especially glamping and influencer overlanding) but are very expensive.

The LifPo or lithium batteries are great batteries. I had one in my boat. They are a lot lighter and hold a charge a long time with out being run. The can run a trolling motor, two fish finders, and a radio 6+ hours.

With that said, you would have to change the charging system for them to charge correctly.

 

[jhruzek]

I only got 12 years on the Optima in my boat. They hold their charge longer than conventional lead/acid batteries if the vehicle is not sun regularly. But I always thought yellow tops were for deep cycle use??

 

[da_jokker]

I only got 12 years on the Optima in my boat. They hold their charge longer than conventional lead/acid batteries if the vehicle is not sun regularly. But I always thought yellow tops were for deep cycle use??

they make a marin one, but yeah..yellow tops are for deep cycling, red tops are for that initial start.

With all the electronics and winches...seems yellow top is the way to go yet I see people always going for the red top...i don't know why.

From Optimas site about their YELLOW top...
perfect for modern accessory-loaded vehicles.

 

[Felix808]

Red is starting.
Yellow Tops are dual purpose, deep cycle & starting.
Blue is deep cycle.

 

[AZMikeL]

I dont know all the facts but I read somewhere that with modern cars you have to be very mindful of your replacement battery. In the article, it talked about how the IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor) is parameterized to a specific battery. Meaning that if you replace your battery with something other than what the OEM specifies, it could impact the way the system computes the state of charge, state of function and state of health for the battery. Don’t really know if this plays into the conversation, just passing along something I read.

Replaced the battery in the wife's BMW last year. The car needs to be programmed for the new battery. If you just swap in a new one without having the programming done, the car's charging system will kill the new battery. So, over $400 for her new battery - after a 15% off coupon from the dealer!

I hope Ford did a better job than BMW here!

 

[Felix808]

Replaced the battery in the wife's BMW last year. The car needs to be programmed for the new battery. If you just swap in a new one without having the programming done, the car's charging system will kill the new battery. So, over $400 for her new battery - after a 15% off coupon from the dealer!

I hope Ford did a better job than BMW here!

Yep & on ours you have to take 1/2 the engine bay apart just to get to it

 

[Aman]

Anybody got thoughts on a lithium battery? They seem to be pretty nice for the "modern lifestyle" (especially glamping and influencer overlanding) but are very expensive.

In general charging Lithium batteries when the temps are below freezing will damage them, so they are not recommended for use as the primary vehicle battery. That being said, I have four Dakota lithium batteries in the rear of my Bronco being used as an auxillary power source for my fridge.

AAL's image, not mine...

 

[da_jokker]

That's ridiculous that you can't replace a car battery without some sort of extra reprogramming.

People have been replacing Acid batteries for years with Gel/Glass batteries.

Now with Lipos I could see it because they are more particular about their charging/overcharging needs.

 

[Headless Horseman]

Thank you for all the great replies/info. The yellow optima is a direct replacement and my concern is that if/when I add a winch, the extra load would need more than the OEM battery. If this is not the case, then making a change now is not needed...

 

[Overcooked]

My last AGM battery on my Audi lasted 11 years. I see no reason to use anything else TBH. The battery performed flawlessly during the 11 year period until it died.

 

[Headless Horseman]

My last AGM battery on my Audi lasted 11 years. I see no reason to use anything else TBH. The battery performed flawlessly during the 11 year period until it died.

I do have the optima charger from my 4runner that had the Red in it. The charger can charge any battery, so I'm going to use it when the bronco may not be getting driven too often...

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