I’ve run Optima Performance Batteries for many years. The reasons are simple: safety and quality. The batteries I’ve owned have lasted beyond their expected life and warranty period, and the AGM (Absorption Glass Mat) design is an added safety factor when it comes to potential rollovers (which I’m known for). I currently run a single RedTop in my 1974 FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser and a pair of RedTops in my 1996 FZJ80 Toyota Land Cruiser.
The FZJ80 installation has always bothered me tho…the primary battery SHOULD be the RedTop starting design, since it primarily runs the starting system and general electrical requirements for the truck. However, the 2nd battery is dedicated to only the winch circuit and to the circuit I use for my ARB fridge. This is a deep cycle application, but I had always believed that battery life would be compromised if you mixed and matched a Starting and Deep Cycle battery.
So, I contacted Optima directly regarding using both the YellowTop Deep Cycle Battery and the RedTop Starting Battery on the same circuit…I was informed that I was correct for some situations, but not in MY situation. Here is the reply I received:
For a dual battery set-up, if the batteries are wired in parallel, the batteries must be the same size, type and age. This is true for any battery. If not, the differing performance characteristics will reduce performance of the bank, and reduce service life. If there is an isolator used between the batteries, then they do not have to be the same. That would require using a diode isolator or a solenoid isolator, to which each battery would be hooked up, but separated from each other. That also allows you to discharge the accessory battery (YellowTop) and still have the capability to start the vehicle with the RedTop/YellowTop starting battery. Generally, if someone is running dual batteries it is because they have a lot of aftermarket electronics, or they want to be able to run electrical devices while the engine isn't running. For both of these situations we recommend a YellowTop, because this type of battery will be much more tolerant of repeated deep discharge. So probably it would be best to use at least 1 YellowTop battery, for the electronics.
The Iron Pig OffRoad isolation system I run in my FZJ80 allows me to run the RedTop in the starting position and the YellowTop for the winch and fridge. Since I needed a battery for my 1995 HZJ75 Toyota Land Cruiser project, I opted to pull the 2nd RedTop out of my FZJ80 and replace it with a YellowTop D34/74 Dual Purpose battery.
I decided to order online, since another advantage of the AGM-type batteries is the CAN be shipped without special hazmat limitations. The YellowTop arrive well boxed and protected. The battery I chose is a standard size and layout, but Optima has a variety of cell layouts and post locations so you can be creative with your installation. (Another advantage to the AGM design is the ability install in ANY position…on end, on the side, upsidedown…that flexibility can be necessary in the tight confines of an offroad rig!)
Installation:
SERIOUSLY? if you can’t install a battery properly, then you shouldn’t own an offroad rig either…however, there ARE some things you should be upgrading at the same time.
- Battery Terminals – get the GOOD Military-grade stuff…NAPA, McMaster-Carr, Grainger and many specialty online electronics suppliers have them…
- Battery cables – spend some $ and get some GOOD quality cables made…again, quality terminals and FINE-strand wire. I’ve been known to hit my local weld shop and nab some of their short ‘mistakes’…weld cable will have a good quality cover and wire, and the fine-strand stuff not only provides a higher quality conductor, but is more flexible for routing in the rig. (My cables are from Urban Land Cruisers, but I’m honestly unsure if they are still doing their kits)
- Isolator – a few companies make good kits, mine is through Iron Pig OffRoad and included not only the cables and isolator but also the 2nd battery box and a washer relocation bracket. Good stuff.
Personally, Optima is the Off Road Battery choice I’ve made for years and will continue to make for many years to come!
Optima Batteries Inc. Attn: Customer Service X-33 Optima Batteries 5757 N. Green Bay Ave. Milwaukee WI 53209
888-8OPTIMA (888-867-8462) info@optimabatteries.com http://www.optimabatteries.com
The red top in my ’71 FJ40 pulls dual duty both starting and winching and is still as strong as new after 9 years of faithful service. It’s kind of like a typical Toyota factory part in that regard.
I ran dual batteries in my ’76 FJ40 for many years, with a marine rated battery as the diode isolated auxiliary, but it didn’t last as long as an Optima. I have a new yellow top ready to go into that rig.
Great writeup Woody!
That is the exact same set up that i have been running in my 80 for years. And both my batteries are separated by an isolator. Never had an issue whatsoever. In fact i have even performed an auto jump by connecting the two batteries via jumper cables after i came back after a long trip and the red top was too weak to start the rig. The deep cell fired it right up.
Good stuff.
Regards,
Greg Fox
Why not use two Yellow Tops? Is there a disadvantage to using the Yellow as a primary starting?
I have only 1 battery (for now) and it’s a Yellow top. Nice article and pics
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I installed a new “yellow top” Optima battery in a late model Chevy Silverado pickup, and it left me completely stranded. Last Fall, I tried to start it but it would not turn over. The interior dashboard gauges worked, but the engine would not turn over. So I did the obvious thing and found someone to give me a jump. With the jumper cables installed, my truck engine would not even turn over. What the f_ck?
Cables were fine, and I checked and pulled all of the fuses thinking that there was something wrong electronically in my vehicle. I even found another truck to try jumping me off and with a different set of jumper cables, but my truck still would not turn over. The Optima battery was 14 months old.
I gave up and called a flatbed wrecker and had my truck tow truck and had it towed to a dealer. I was out of town and had to rent a cheap rental car. Boy was I surprised when the Chevy dealer called me the next day and said if was the battery. What?
Evidently, when the gel-filled batteries “die,” they cannot be jumped off. I contacted Optima, and they recommended that I take my battery and have it “shock charged” at the nearest Optima dealer. They “shock charged” the battery and tested it and told me everything was fine.
I will no longer use Optima or any other batteries of this type, because if they “die”, they will not pass a current which is needed to get your vehicle running. So, in the end, all of the Optima gel-filled battery superiority hype cost me around $300. ($100 tow, $50 rental car and $150 or so for the battery itself).
Now my wonderful yellow-top Optima battery is used for powering radios and electronics while camping and running a seed spreader for the 4-wheeler while making deer food plots. I welcome Optima to make this right and give me a brand-new battery.
You have to charge the gel cell AGM batteries using the gel cell/AGM setting on your charger. Almost all modern digital battery chargers have these settings, shoot, even my $25 one from walmart did and it revived my optima yellow top without issue.
As for jumping your rig, that dosent make since. You would have been jumping your rig off the person jumping yours rigs batty/electrical system. Are you saying your yellow top turned into a electric black hole that was sucking power into it? If your car wont start (when jumped from another battery) and run from just the alternator power you need to look into more then the battery.