So I had an Optima yellow top 34/78 for less than 2 years and it died on me already...

Anyways, how many batteries should I run? I'm running a total of around 2500 watts.

 

I'm on a single yellow top D35 on about 2000w. Little bit of dimming at full blast with lights on, otherwise it's fine

 

Another 34/78 should be just fine as long as you run the system with your car on... If you play the system with your car off a lot, I'd look into picking up a second, or even third, battery if you have space...

 

On other audio forms that I frequent, I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about Yellow Tops. Now on the other hand I've been hearing alot of great things about the Sears Diehard Platinums. They are supposedly rebadged Odesseys Batteries which are one of the best batteries you can buy. When you consider its a rebadged Odessey Battery w/ a Diehard warranty, you can't go wrong. My lights have been dimming like crazy, I'll be picking one up this weekend.

 

really now? that's very odd. never thought diehard was that great.... let me know how that goes.

well i read if u go into deep cycle a lot you kill your yellow tops a lot faster, i usually don't use my system in the parking lot, and the battery only had 1 year warranty. we'll see, i do have 2 old capacitors in my trunk, i guess I can run another yellow top instead.

 

phillip i've got a red top running a little over 2k watts, 3 years no issues

 

from my inadequate knowledge of optima batteries, yellow top is more ment for high performance audio... which is why i'm just stunned its dying.

this past week my car has been struggling to start; but i'll go to pepboys for a battery test before any haste decisions. i'll keep you guys posted i guess

 

Good luck with your Optima!

 

Yeah red top - lower model, yellow top - top dog


yellow > red

 

aren't there differences between the two tho, like the red top has more CCA etc... just that it's not deep cycle like the yellow is right?

 

Yea, they are different. The red is more CCA=800. The yellow is less CCA but is a true deep cycle ment for countinuous low discharge states. The yellow tops are great for 2nd or aux batts. IMO if you have a large audio system u should have a 2nd "isolated" battery. BTW is not about watts is about AMPERES or current draw. If your system draws 80 AMPS of current or more u should run a second batt. Thats my first hand experience.

 

I've toasted three Optimas, one red and two yellows. I'll be putting in a high output alternator before the next battery. Would a larger battery work instead of a second battery? There's some room, I'd just have to fab up a larger mount.

 

What's your system setup, what size alternator are you putting in, and what battery are you looking at?

In theory, yes a larger battery will work instead of just adding another one. However, you might not get the same benefits as if you added a 2nd battery. IE. 1 big battery might have ~2500A, whereas 2 batteries might have a total of ~3000A or something. This is just a possibility, not what you'd need. That's all dependent on your actual setup.

 

A little over 2000 watts. The alternator will probably be around 190-200, Im looking into a Ohio Generators alternator.

The biggest burden on the batteries has been the 2 large air compressors and my driving habits. When I do drive its short distances with the volume up. The H.O. alternator should help this out tremendously.

I've had two batteries before in a different car, but I may have to consider it again for the this car.

I haven't driven the car in over a year, I'm just starting my research so I can get it going for spring.

 

If you guys are having problems with Optima, maybe try SVR. I've heard they edge out Optima in audio.

 

I didn't recognize your car by your avi, but you have that sick bagged 2nd gen... I've read through your build log on cardomain at least 5 times... Nice car.

Now, on to your question: I'm assuming when you do drive the car, you start it, inflate the bags, drive a couple miles, deflate the bags and shut the car off? If this is the case (and you have room, no trunk pics on your cardomain page) I'd almost look into a couple of batts for the trunk (something like a D31 yt or a deka 31). These will give you plenty of deep cycle power for start up, and the compressors since it sounds like your car is only on for a short bits at a time... This, along with a standard battery up front, should give you more than enough power for your system/compressors even with the car off...

 

have you guys tried the big 3 yet to help out the batteries so they get clean power?

 

Thanks!

There's room in the trunk, but if I do two batteries I want to cram em both under the hood or something unique.

Deka's are good, thats the battery I had two of in a different car. I remember they were white and it drove me crazy keeping them clean. I used to be really into car audio, but I've been away from it too long & forgot everything.

I'll have to do a little more research now that you've got me leaning towards two, it would be nice to not have to worry if my car will start.


...sorry if I hijacked your thread Lippstuh

 

Throw the Yellow in the trash and get a Blue top.